MIAMI—Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, has taken a firm stance on sustainability since its inception in 2000, and most recently announced its decision to eliminate the production and distribution of plastic straws across all of its properties. The ban on plastic straws is the latest effort within Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ overall commitment to the environment. In 2013, Karisma created the Passion for Sustainability Program, which includes initiatives promoting conscious tourism, preserving ecosystems, protecting wild and endangered species, and responsibly using natural resources. As part of its most recent...

CHICAGO—National Restaurant Association research has found that more restaurant and foodservice operators are integrating sustainability practices into their daily business operations. A survey of 500 restaurant owners and operators examined measures taken, challenges faced and opportunities available by operating more sustainably. Here are some highlights: Efficient equipment is now standard in many restaurants. Most restaurants use energy-efficient lighting, and many use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star-rated kitchen equipment. Water-saving innovations are also gaining ground, from low-flow toilets to efficient pre-rinse spray valves. Those surveyed said: 79 percent use CFL or LED lighting; 46 percent use EPA Energy Star-rated refrigerators;...

NATIONAL REPORT—The Third Annual Green Lodging Trends Report Survey will close on August 17, 2018. You can participate in the survey by clicking here. There is no cost to participate. Tens of thousands of green lodging establishments around the planet are being encouraged to benchmark their sustainability practices by completing this survey which last year saw some 2,100 properties participating from 46 countries. The survey encompasses topics ranging from energy management to communication to Health & Wellness. The Green Lodging Trends Report Survey has the support of Green Lodging News, Green Key, Travelife, Green Key Global, Horwath HTL, Green Seal,...

CHICAGO—Loews Chicago Hotel has joined Shedd Aquarium’s “Shedd The Straw” initiative to reduce the use of single-use plastic straws throughout the hotel. Loews Chicago Hotel is the first hotel to join the initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastic straws to reduce waste and improve marine and freshwater ecosystems. Beginning August 1, beverages served throughout the hotel, including Streeterville Social, ETA Restaurant + Bar, The Lobby Bar, banquets, and in-room dining will not automatically be served with plastic straws. Guests will be provided with biodegradable straws upon request. The initiative is designed to help protect water systems and the animals that live...

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONT.— Plastic is on its way out at White Oaks Resort & Spa. Following in the wake of many top brands and destinations worldwide, The Green Team at White Oaks has eliminated plastic straws resort-wide. Guests will be able to request a straw and an earth friendly compostable option will be provided. Along with straws, starting this month, all plastic water bottles will be replaced with a water program from Naturizzata Bottle Co. “Instead of arriving at your meeting with unlimited bottles of water on the table, or in our continuous coffee break fridges, beautiful custom etched glass water bottles...

SAN DIEGO—By the year 2050, the world’s population will reach nearly 10 billion, and there will be more plastic waste in the ocean than fish. California-based natural product company Outsect Corp. is launching TwentyFifty cutlery to help reduce the amount of food and beverage packaging waste found in landfills and in the ocean. The 100 percent biodegradable and compostable cutlery promises a design tough enough to pick up food, yet readily compost in a natural environment. This week, the company launched a Kickstarter campaign in the hopes of raising $30,000 to help bring its patent-pending, grain-based compostable cutlery to...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—Vero Water, a leading provider of luxury still and sparkling water to the hospitality industry, announced its rapid expansion in the Caribbean and Latin America in partnership with OneLink Global, a world-class distribution and service partner with unique experience and insight in the region. OneLink is committed to providing sustainable solutions to the hospitality industry. The exclusive distribution agreement expands Vero’s global footprint into regions where hotels and resorts dominate the landscape and are seeking an eco-friendly alternative to traditional bottled water. “Recently major players in the hospitality industry both in the U.S. and abroad have announced they...

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA—Early last year, Christian de Boer, Managing Director of Jaya House River Park, a 36-room hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia, launched a campaign to get businesses throughout the region to offer refillable aluminum water bottles instead of disposable plastic ones. The campaign, called Refill Not Landfill, has already avoided the placement of 1.2 million plastic bottles into Cambodia’s waste stream. More than 40 members of Siem Reap’s hospitality and tourism industries and development sector have joined ReFill Not Landfill. Key to the success of the campaign is a sophisticated way to show bottle users where they can fill...

VAIL, COLO.—Vail announced their certification as a sustainable mountain resort destination. Vail is the first destination in the world to be certified to the Mountain IDEAL sustainable destination standard. Additionally, Vail’s adherence to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) destination criteria makes it the first Certified Sustainable Destination in the United States certified by a GSTC-Accredited certifying body, Green Destinations. The conditional certification is the result of a multi-year partnership between the Town of Vail, Walking Mountains Science Center, Sustainable Travel International, Vail Resorts, The U.S. Forest Service, and others. It marks the culmination of 56 years of leadership...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has recently unveiled plans for their latest project and first South America property, Six Senses Formosa Bay in Brazil, which will open in 2021. Located at Baia Formosa, which translates to Beautiful Bay, the resort is set in the most eastern territory of Brazil and the country’s closest point to Europe. The site, which is a part of the Eco Estrela Project, features almost 4.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront and covers an area of 6,350 acres. It was home to a former coconut plantation which shared the land with prolific mangroves through which...