MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—Handwashing is an action that’s done millions of times every day in homes, workplaces, schools, stores and a multitude of other locations across the country. To delve deeper into this daily habit, the 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Company posed a series of questions to U.S. adults and uncovered some interesting findings. 59 percent will shake their hands dry if hand dryers or paper towels aren’t available in a public restroom, but 12 percent will blow on them and 11 percent will resort to running their hands through their hair. 57 percent will avoid drinking liquids before leaving home to...

I typically only hear from attorneys by press release when there are cases of guests suing because of bed bugs or Legionnaires’ disease. This week I learned about two Legionnaires’ disease cases thanks to Pritzker Hageman, a national law firm with a Legionnaires’ disease practice. In the first case, Pritzker Hageman and a Las Vegas office led by attorney Raymond Trueblood initiated a lawsuit against two Las Vegas casino hotels: The Grandview and South Point Hotel Casino & Spa. The lawsuit arises from the wrongful death of a guest who contracted Legionnaires’ disease after staying at both properties in 2023. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer, Inc. announced that its XLERATOR Hand Dryer has been recognized in the Materials category at the Sustainability in Construction Awards, an award presented by the Ecuadorian local chapter of the Green Building Council, CEES, in partnership with EKOS. Accepted by siblings Belen and Rodrigo Anda of Excel Dryer’s Ecuadorian partner Cecomex, the award highlights building material solutions that help the construction industry worldwide enhance sustainability, efficiency and the health of all people through smarter design and environmental responsibility. The XLERATOR Hand Dryer supports green building goals by reducing reliance on paper towels, lowering waste and helping facilities improve hygiene in high-traffic...

LOS ANGELES—A California jury has returned a six-figure verdict against Great Wolf Lodge following a trial involving a family exposed to bed bugs at a company-operated hotel property in Manteca, Calif. The jury awarded $254,500 in damages, and with approximately $30,000 in court costs, the judgment has now been paid in full, bringing the total amount paid to approximately $284,500 following post-trial proceedings. Unlike the overwhelming majority of bed bug cases, which resolve confidentially before trial, this matter was presented to a jury and tried to verdict. The trial was handled by Brian Virag, founder of MyBedBugLawyer,Inc., a California-based trial practice devoted exclusively to hotel bed bug litigation. Physical, Emotional, &...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life, announced it has been named one of the 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This marks Ecolab’s 20th consecutive year receiving the recognition—an achievement only a small number of companies worldwide can claim. “At Ecolab, strong performance starts and ends with doing what’s right,” said Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO, Ecolab. “For 20 years, this recognition has reflected how our teams lead...

As temperatures rise, pests such as ants and termites become more active as their populations accumulate heat. This predictable spike in pest activity is a cornerstone of swarm season and when hospitality professionals wait to react, small issues can grow fast and disrupt operations. Sustainable pest prevention strategies focus on stopping pests before they become a problem by using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines proactive monitoring, sanitation practices, exclusion and treatments when necessary. These methods help lodging and hospitality properties identify swarm season early. Early detection enables the use of appropriate management tactics based on the lowest possible impact....

NATIONAL REPORT—In the latest episode of Matt Talks Hospitality, Matt Welle sat down with Floris Licht—hotel general manager and founder of Hotels for Trees—to explore a deceptively simple question: do guests really need their room cleaned every day of a multi-night stay? This question opens the door to a broader conversation about how hotels can rethink housekeeping for a more efficient, sustainable and guest-centric future. The Hidden Opportunity Inside Stayover Cleaning Stayover cleaning has long been treated as the default. If a guest is in-house, the room is cleaned. Yet behavior is shifting. Many travelers don’t require daily linen changes or full servicing,...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Next Step Flooring Solutions to the “Flooring/Mat” category of its Green Product & Service Directory. Next Step Flooring Solutions, now part of the T2 Site Amenities family, delivers commercial grade, custom designed mats proudly made in the USA. From branded entrance and lobby mats to durable elevator mats, the company provides tailored solutions for hotels, luxury apartments, mixed use developments, educational facilities, and office environments. There is no limit on logo, color, shape and size (including wrapping around revolving doors). Floor mats can contribute 1.5 points toward LEED certification. The backing on floor mats...

I have reported on different systems hotels and resorts have employed to reduce/eliminate the use of plastic water bottles on property—water bottle refill stations, water systems that provide filtered water or sparkling water for settings such as restaurants or meetings, the giving away of reusable bottles to encourage use of refill stations, and even water-from-air systems. It is imperative that the lodging industry do its part to remove single-use plastic water bottles from the waste stream. Globally, 5 billion plastic water bottles are consumed each year. This past week I had an opportunity to chat with Rob Duffin, founder and CEO of...

Next Step Flooring Solutions Commercial Grade, Custom Designed Mats Made in the USA Next Step Flooring Solutions, now part of the T2 Site Amenities family, delivers commercial grade, custom designed mats proudly made in the USA. From branded entrance and lobby mats to durable elevator mats, we provide tailored solutions for hotels, luxury apartments, mixed use developments, educational facilities, and office environments. Whether you’re renovating or building new, our products are made for long lasting performance and crafted to elevate any space—indoors or out. For more information, call (630) 392-6096. Next Step Flooring Solutions » Email for Details »