What green news topics are currently capturing the most lodging industry interest? I took a look at Green Lodging News data and the following are the top 10 most read articles from the Green Lodging News website so far this year: 1. Optimizing Pool Operations with Ecolab AquaIQ Program 2. Earth Day Highlights from Properties & Companies Around the Planet 3. Bill Moving Through Maine Legislature Would Phase Out Most Single-Use Plastic Amenity Bottles 4. Marina Bay Sands Earns Global Sustainability Certification 5. New Report Details Size of Global Wellness Economy, Related Tourism 6. Marriott Makes Much Progress Toward 2025 Serve 360 Goals 7. Is Your...

Whenever my family eats out and we are automatically offered plastic straws for our drinks, we tell the server we do not need them and to take them back. With what we know about plastic straws—they are non-biodegradable and take hundreds of years to decompose and break down into microplastics—you would think they would no longer be used…but no. They are still all too common in hospitality. Numerous hotel companies have pledged to stop buying plastic straws. Six years ago, Marriott phased them out. Five years ago, Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. eliminated single-use straws from its branded properties as part of...

HITEC will kick off next week at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis (June 16 to 19). Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals announced earlier this week that exhibit space is officially sold out, with 360+ companies exhibiting across 81,500 net sq. ft. of exhibit space. Among the companies exhibiting that fall into the green lodging space: Bodhi, EISI SOFT, Growth Advisors International Network, Honeywell Building Automation, Intello by TELUS Business, National Battery Supply, Smartcon Solutions, Verdant Energy Management Solutions, Vingcard | ASSA ABLOY | Nomadix, VDA Telkonet, Zennio, Cisco Systems, Inc., OpenKey, PressReader, Samsung Electronics America, FreshAir Sensor, Intelity and Topanga IO. Related...

With its apartment-style accommodations located in destinations such as New York, Dallas and Denver, Mint House, Inc. is proving its approach to hospitality can result in a much lighter environmental impact. According to Mint House, it produces, on average, 23 percent less CO2 emissions daily compared to a traditional mid-scale hotel and 56 percent less waste compared to an upscale hotel with food & beverage and conference space. Mint House, which recently added properties in Washington, D.C. and Madison, Wis., takes care of 10 percent to 100 percent of the apartments in the buildings it manages. For the 20 properties...

In a recent Publisher’s Point of View column, I reported that Hawaii’s governor intended to sign SB1396, creating the climate impact fee, or “green fee,” that will help the islands to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the roughly 10 million annual visitors it welcomes to its shores. According to AP, that legislation was signed by Hawaii Governor Josh Green yesterday. The legislation boosts a tax imposed on hotel room and vacation rental stays in order to raise money to address eroding shorelines, wildfires and other consequences of climate change. The measure adds an additional 0.75 percent to the daily room rate...

Back in February, Green Lodging News reported that Field & Stream Lodge Co.—a new hospitality brand rooted in the enduring legacy of Field & Stream, the iconic American outfitter established in 1871—had plans to open the doors to its flagship property: Field & Stream Bozeman, in May. That hotel is now open. Located one mile from downtown and immersed in Montana’s legendary landscape of rivers, mountains, and trails, the 179-room lodge is designed for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. “Field & Stream Bozeman is designed as a comfortable basecamp to hang gear, warm up, dry out, and recharge after a day...

Green Lodging News reported earlier this week that Choice Hotels International, Inc. had released its 2024 Sustainability Report. The report covers the fiscal year of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Choice is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, with over 7,500 hotels representing more than 650,000 rooms in 46 countries and territories. Choice’s sustainability strategy and initiatives, many of which align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), demonstrate its commitment to being a responsible steward for people and the planet. “We are committed to propelling the success of others and building a...

The National Restaurant Association Show is just 10 days away. The annual event will be held from May 17 to 20 at the McCormick Place in Chicago. The Show will welcome almost 2,300 exhibitors this year, many of which will introduce products and services to help you save money, energy, water and reduce waste. Many exhibitors will also be presenting food items—including meat alternatives—that are healthier options for you and your guests. A few examples of companies that will be in attendance include Better Earth (compostable packaging), Foodservice Sustainability Solutions (food waste dehydrator), and Path Water Bottles. See the...

The annual HD Expo + Conference will be held this coming week from May 6 to 8 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand, 86 of which have indicated their products will have a sustainability focus (Air Purification Systems, Building Materials, Energy Efficiency, Green Products, Recycled Materials, Water Conservation). The educational sessions will include: Trends in Wellness: Where We Are Today, May 6, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. New Life: Case Studies in Renovation + Adaptive Reuse, May 6, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rethinking the Norm: Socially Sustainable Hotels, May 6, 4 p.m....

Last week I attended the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans. One of the most interesting companies I came across at the trade show was AdReach. The company makes it easy for upscale properties to supply affordable water to guests in Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330mL cartons made from 63.4 percent renewable plant-based materials. All paperboard used in the cartons comes from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests and other controlled sources. The recyclable cartons include a plant-based cap that is also recyclable. A lodging establishment must commit to purchase at least 1 pallet (2,304 cartons) per month for 12 months....