Have you ever heard of the term “green-hushing”? I learned about the term in a new report from South Pole called “Net Zero and Beyond.” In this year’s report, South Pole looked at over 1,200 private companies that have a sustainability or CSR head and can thus be deemed a proxy for companies leading on climate action. South Pole found a surprising trend: nearly a quarter of those surveyed global climate leaders will not be publicizing their achievements and milestones beyond the bare minimum or as required by for example the Science Based Targets initiative. This, South Pole says,...

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) just issued its Living Planet Report 2022. It is a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet. The report will come as a shock to those not following our planet’s health and a strong reminder of our planet’s status to those who do follow it. Our industry should pay attention because its growth does impact the planet’s health of its residents and creatures of all sizes. The report begins with this fact: There has been an average decline of 69 percent in species populations since 1970. “While conservation efforts...

In my most recent Publisher’s Point of View column I wrote about the good things VISIT FLORIDA is doing to assist the victims of Hurricane Ian. I just learned that Clarion Events, producers of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show which will take place at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, November 1 to 3 leapt into action to find ways that they, the exhibitors and attendees could help support those impacted. During the trade show and conference, which will take place as planned, 100 percent of attendee registration fees collected, along with financial donations, food, equipment, and other items...

What are the 6 Food Waste Prevention Myths? Leanpath, a food waste prevention specialist, recently released a document explaining the myths. If you have an F&B operation at your property, or even if you don’t, I highly recommend reading the document. First, the six myths, according to Leanpath: 1. My team doesn’t have time to track and prevent food waste. 2. Food waste prevention technology is too expensive. 3. Food waste is a result of poor performance. 4. My kitchen controls its food waste: we donate and compost. 5. You fix food waste once and you’re done. 6. It’s not the time. I have too...

Capterra conducted the Consumer Sustainability Expectations Survey in August 2022 among 759 U.S. consumers to learn about their expectations and preferences for sustainably made and transported goods. The goal of the survey is to understand consumers’ expectations and shopping behavior for products being made and shipped sustainably. While Capterra’s survey was not focused on hospitality, it does provide some insight into how consumers are thinking, and shopping, these days. For the survey, 759 consumers were asked questions to learn about their expectations and preferences for sustainably made and transported goods. Here are just some of the findings from the survey: In...

It was in June 2018 that Marriott announced it had broken ground on its new headquarters in Bethesda, Md. I received word yesterday that Marriott will hold a grand opening celebration of its headquarters on Monday, September 19. The 21-story, 785,000 square-foot LEEDv4 Gold-certified facility is home to corporate associates supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories. According to Marriott, its new headquarters includes several unique elements: Associate cafeteria, named The Hot Shoppe in a nod to the company’s first restaurant, with 9,500 square feet for dining, including 350 indoor seats and 100 outdoor seats. Grand floating staircase...

A couple I know has a son who has a severe form of autism. Yet, they recently traveled with him from Ohio to Florida. Chances are, you have hosted many people with autism at your property. The Autism community in the U.S. is approximately 25 million people. Did you know you can get your property certified as Autism Ready? The name of the organization that certifies for autism readiness is called Autism Double-Checked (ADC). Stamford Conn.-based ADC was founded in 2014 by two travel industry veterans. CEO Alan Day has over 20 years of experience in retail travel and—as the...

Increasingly, I have been reading about efforts to house the homeless in hotels or motels. As reported here on Green Lodging News, the Los Angeles City Council voted to reject a proposal that would have required hotels to make vacant rooms available to unhoused individuals. The measure now heads to the voters in November to decide whether this proposal becomes law. While housing the homeless in working hotels may not be the greatest idea, housing them in a former hotel makes a lot of sense if done right. I just read about a project in Asheville, N.C. that will see...

If you have an f&b operation in your hotel, even if it is just serving breakfast, you will benefit from a new guide from an organization called Beyond Plastics. The guide is titled, “Hold the Plastic, Please: A Restaurant’s Guide to Reducing Plastic.” The 47-page guide, which is free and available online for anyone to access, states that a shocking 44 percent of plastic litter in the ocean consists of takeout food and drink containers. (The second biggest source is fishing gear.) The Guide not only states the problem with plastics; it offers plastics reduction suggestions as well. The Guide begins...

Earlier this year in April, as reported here on Green Lodging News, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched its Hotel Sustainability Basics. “Developed by the industry for the industry, it highlights 12 actions which are fundamental to hotel sustainability and will help raise the base level of sustainability across the entire hospitality industry by providing every hotel a starting point on their sustainability journey,” the WTTC announcement said. Of the 12 criteria, hotels need to comply with eight initially, while the others can be committed to and put in place within three years. Reuters just reported that more...