LAS VEGAS—More than 600 exhibitors displayed their goods and services at last week’s HD Expo at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. More than 80 of those exhibitors identified themselves as sustainable in one way or another. It would be impossible to mention all those companies in this article but below are many examples of what this author considered especially creative and unique. Elkay Manufacturing Co. introduced its ezH2O Liv Pro Filtered Water Dispenser. Unlike other Elkay dispensers, this one features a low-profile design and a more upscale look with its either black or white frame. It fits within 16” OC...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands has released its latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) report outlining the company’s 2022 progress on the corporate responsibility ambitions and priorities established for its 2021-2025 reporting period. Targeted for achievement by 2025, Sands’ performance on its ambitions in the People, Communities and Planet pillars of its corporate responsibility program through 2022 included: People—Aiming toward its 2025 target to invest $200 million in workforce development initiatives to advance Team Members and local talent in the hospitality industry, Sands invested $56 million in 2022 and $113 million since 2021. Funding has supported core initiatives such as the Sands Academy Team Member training and development program...

WASHINGTON—LG Electronics has been named 2023 Energy Star Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. This prestigious honor recognizes the company’s exemplary commitment to protecting the environment and tackling climate change through leadership in Energy Star certified products and promotions. This is the 10th time since 2012 that LG has been named Partner of the Year. “LG is 100 percent committed to its partnership with Energy Star and the EPA to inspire change, improve efficiency and help create a clean energy future,” said Thomas Yoon, President and CEO, LG Electronics North America. “Consistent...

BOYNE FALLS, MICH.—Boyne Resorts introduced its Master Plan for reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2030—a goal to which the company is deeply committed and that was the catalyst to forming ForeverProject, Boyne Resorts’ long-term pledge to sustainable practices. Largely structured around collective action, the 2030 Master Plan includes property-specific plans that both allow and require independent initiative among the company’s resorts and facilities located across North America. The pathway now mapped enables Boyne Resorts to reduce its carbon footprint while closely balancing environmental and economic sustainability. “Our 75-year journey as a resort company defines and demonstrates a heritage of stewardship, leadership,...

ISRAEL—With climate change and rising pollution rates being rampant issues today, countries around the world are focusing their efforts on reducing the negative impact of human activity on the environment and finding new solutions to set the foundation for sustainable development. Of all the countries that have pledged to take concrete and tangible action to protect the planet and address nature and biodiversity loss, Israel stands out as a sustainability leader. Despite being a densely populated country characterized by land scarcity, limited natural resources and poor distribution of these resources, Israel has managed to offset many of these challenges by...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc. announced the launch of its DC2DC architecture, a distributed low-voltage DC power and digital controls platform. The architecture eliminates the need to convert AC to DC power at the luminaire, resulting in efficiency gains and increased reliability of the lighting system, leading to reduced maintenance and operation costs. The platform relies on Class 2 cabling to provide power and communications to each luminaire, eliminating conduit, junction boxes, and power packs, while providing greater lighting controls design flexibility with individually addressable luminaires. The DC2DC architecture can also facilitate direct connection to renewable energy sources, supporting buildings converting to...

I have green design on the mind this week for two good reasons. First, I will be attending the HD Expo + Conference in Las Vegas (May 2-4). I wrote about the event in a previous column that highlighted some of the products that will be featured and the conference sessions that will address sustainability and wellness in one form or another. Be sure to watch for coverage of this event that will feature more than 600 suppliers in more than 25 product categories. HD Expo is truly one of the best marketplaces on the planet for products and...

DOMINICA—One of the planet’s most outstanding examples of a modern, off-the-grid eco-luxury resort is Coulibri Ridge. It is in Dominica amid 285 acres. The 14-suite property is powered by sun and wind and is the result of more than 20 years of research, environmental testing, infrastructure building, and community engagement to ensure the highest degree of sustainability, respectful development, and community collaboration. Coulibri Ridge is the brainchild of Quebec-born entrepreneur Daniel Langlois. Langlois traveled the globe throughout his career in software technology, and the contrast between wealthy and poor communities in many places left him pondering why sustainable practices like...

IRVINE, CALIF.—KSL Resorts announced it has launched a new sustainability program—“On Purpose”—to be rolled out amongst its portfolio of 11 world class destination hotels and resorts, among them Camelback Resort (Pocono Mountains, Pa.); Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Calif.; Fairmont Grand Del Mar (San Diego; Silverado Resort and Spa (Napa, Calif.); and Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. While the name and framework are new, the program reinforces existing companywide sustainability initiatives. “All of our properties have increasingly adapted green practices in recent years—making dramatic improvements—but we are thrilled to make it official by introducing this forward-thinking new platform,” said...

Evaporative cooling towers play an important role in green buildings by significantly reducing energy consumption when they supplement or replace traditional air conditioning systems, thereby reducing carbon footprint and operating costs. Although evaporative cooling is great at saving energy, it does consume some water but the benefits on energy savings outweigh the water usage, which in some places is a scarce resource. Water conservation is therefore a high priority in designing and operating water-cooled equipment and plays an important role in USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and other sustainability programs. LEED assigns credit points to reduce...