ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) recently announced the result of its annual recycled content survey, which reports its members’ use of recycled materials. In 2022, NAIMA members in the United States and Canada used more than 3.4 billion pounds of recycled glass and slag in the production of residential, commercial, industrial, and air-handling thermal and acoustical insulation. More specifically, the data showed that in 2022, facilities in the United States used more than 2.3 billion pounds of recycled glass, while Canadian facilities used more than 357 million pounds. U.S. and Canadian facilities reported a combined use of...

HELSINKE, FINLAND—Halton, a global leader in HVAC innovation and indoor air comfort solutions, and Phononic, a global leader in sustainable solid-state cooling, announced a strategic licensing partnership in relation to the commercial launch of Terminal Treatment of Air with Peltier (TTAP) technology, an HVAC solution that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Leveraging Halton’s experiences in indoor climate solutions to productize the concept, Phononic’s solid state technology further perfects the TTAP concept as the refreshing innovation it brings to the commercial HVAC infrastructure. The new approach eliminates global-warming refrigerants and provides building owners and real estate developers with a sustainable solution...

If there is one thing you would be a fool to pass up as you are upgrading your hotel—making it more energy and water efficient—it is free money. Getting it could be as easy as working with your local utility or the company they have contracted with to run their programs. The hub online for state incentives can be found at https://www.dsireusa.org/. I moused over the U.S. map and California has the most programs with 187. That did not surprise me. I checked my home state of Florida, and it has 105. In the city of Tampa where I...

SAN DIEGO—In alignment with California’s electrification goals that phase out gas-fired water heating appliances in the coming years, Sonesta International Hotels Corp. is working with Willdan Energy Solutions to take advantage of utility incentives available from Southern California Edison (SCE) through Willdan’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Program. SCE has contracted with Willdan Energy Solutions to develop, implement, and offer the energy efficiency program to SCE customers. It provides comprehensive consultations, technical expertise, financing options, and energy-efficient upgrades. Willdan also sets the rebate amount. According to Dave Campbell, Regional Director of Engineering for Sonesta, about a half-dozen Sonesta hotels in Southern California have benefited...

LOS ANGELES—EVgo Inc., one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs), announced that it received the first-ever shipment of 350kW fast chargers from Delta Electronics that are manufactured according to Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) standards. Delivered from Delta Electronics’ recently opened factory in Plano, Texas, this first shipment marks a milestone in developing the robust domestic supply chain needed to support the rapid growth in EV adoption across the U.S. and unlock funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Delta has delivered 10 chargers to date, and EVgo expects...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. announced the publication of its annual Corporate Responsibility Report for 2023, which presents the company’s ongoing commitment to creating long-term value for the business and industry by investing responsibly in safeguarding the environment and supporting its employees, communities, and other stakeholders. “We are pleased to publish an updated report detailing our significant progress regarding environmental, social, and governance initiatives. Over the past year, we have developed a climate action plan to achieve our emissions reduction target of 30 percent by year-end 2025. Our climate plan includes active data and energy management programs and systems to...

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA—Forte Village in Sardinia, Italy announced they have recently been awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. The honor certifies that the resort complies with the highest social and environmental standards available, including the areas of restaurant, management of wellness, pool, and tennis areas. The notable achievement is a demonstration of the sustainability efforts and initiatives Forte Village has put in place over the last few years. Forte Village prioritizes environmental preservation and sustainable practices, focusing on a philosophy that revolves around living in harmony with nature, supporting the local economy and culture, and maximizing economic and social benefits. To ensure sustainable development, they...

MCLEAN, VA.—Through an expanded agreement with Tesla, Hilton last week announced that, beginning in early 2024, up to 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors are slated to be installed at 2,000 hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, making Hilton’s planned EV charging network the largest of any hospitality company. With at least six chargers at each of the selected hotels, Hilton will become the first choice for the dramatically increasing number of travelers who drive electric vehicles. This announcement follows the recent launch of Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector, a product designed to seamlessly charge any North American vehicle model, expanding...

Name: Emma Jacobs Title: Social Purpose and Sustainability Manager Company: Legacy Vacation Resorts Years in Current Position: Two years Primary Responsibility: “Leading our Social Purpose initiatives, getting our teams involved, volunteering, doing cleanups, fostering a healthy ecosystem. We have a heavy focus on electrifying and transitioning to renewable energy.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in social purpose and sustainability: “We are ever-focused on the future with ambitious goals including getting to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030, reducing water usage per check-in (UPC) 25 percent and energy UPC 10 percent by 2025, and achieving 100 percent renewable energy company-wide by 2030. We are well...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced 14 Hyatt-owned hotels in the U.S. have transitioned to 100 percent renewable electricity through Green-e Energy certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to match their electricity use. This step is integral to meeting Hyatt’s 2030 science-based target of adopting renewable electricity across all its U.S. hotels, as part of Hyatt’s World of Care caring for the planet priorities. Hyatt’s science-based target includes reducing Hyatt’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 27.5 percent by 2030 compared to 2019. Collectively, the 14 Hyatt-owned hotels using 100 percent renewable electricity through Green-e Energy certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to...