MIAMI—Carnival Cruise Line announced it is the first large-scale cruise operator to partner with Clean the World. Through this global sustainability program, nearly 40 tons of discarded soap will be collected each year to be recycled into new soap bars and distributed to vulnerable communities worldwide. Clean the World is a global health leader in WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) and sustainability dedicated to saving lives by recycling and distributing soap and other hygiene products to more than 127 countries. As part of the program, Carnival will start collecting discarded soap from guest and crew staterooms throughout the fleet and send...

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Governor Albert Bryan Jr. recently made history with the signing of Bill No. 33-0043 into law, banning the importation, sale and distribution of sunscreen containing the “toxic 3 Os” of oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The legislation, which passed unanimously and was co-sponsored by eight senators lead by Senator Marvin A. Blyden and Senator Janelle K. Sarauw, makes the USVI the first to embrace the FDA’s recent announcement recognizing only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (mineral sunscreen) as safe and effective sunscreen ingredients. The USVI ban adds the ingredient octocrylene to the chemicals...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—The 1 million square meter, experience-packed JA The Resort has been awarded a prestigious sustainability accolade from the Dubai government and has been officially named Dubai’s “Most Sustainable 5 Star Resort.” The DTCM Sustainability awards were measured on five key performance indicators—Waste and Environmental Protection, Water, Energy and Carbon, Responsible Practices, Training and Awareness and Continuous Improvement. JA The Resort was announced as the winner, with the Cluster General Manager William Harley-Fleming crediting the dedicated Green Team for ensuring the smooth running of all sustainability and CSR efforts in the three-hotel experience resort. Highlights of the active sustainability program at...

EUGENE, ORE.—The University of Oregon (UO) published a new white paper, “The Impact of Lighting and Views in the Workplace of the Future.”* The paper concludes that daylit spaces with controlled lighting and views can improve occupant well-being, workplace productivity, and satisfaction by positively influencing various physiological and psychological processes. Lighting and views also impact property value and employee recruitment and retention. Light and the visual environment impact nearly every facet of an employee’s life. Lighting directly influences mood and performance during the day and the quality of sleep at night. As new evidence expands the understanding of how specific...

NATIONAL REPORT—Traditional heating solutions in the winter months can break your budget. Plus, they aren’t good for the environment because they typically use some sort of fossil fuel. Using coal, oil, or natural gas to heat your hotel can harm the environment, including contributing to global warming, causing air pollution, and increasing the chance for an oil spill. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to heat your hotel once the weather turns chilly, you’re in luck. There are several different ways you can heat your hotel without harming the environment. Some of these methods may even save you money. Heat...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the third annual Greenbuild Europe conference will be held in Dublin, Ireland on March 24 to 25, 2020 at Croke Park. The conference brings together green building leaders from throughout Europe and celebrates the industry’s accomplishments in creating a more sustainable built environment and a better quality of life for all. The call for proposals to submit new and compelling sessions for the conference is now open. “Europe is at the forefront of green building,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President & CEO, USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the global certifying body for LEED. “With Europe’s remarkable leadership,...

DARMSTADT, GERMANY—Green Pearls recently welcomed Hotel Rinner in Soprabolzano, South Tirol, as the newest Green Pearl. At the family run hotel everything revolves around the fascinating world of the bees, from honey tastings to the worldwide unique Api wellness. Here, the sustainable handling of resources plays a special role as the bees find their optimum living conditions only in intact nature. For more than three generations family Rinner has devoted themselves to beekeeping. Host Paul Rinner has been a beekeeper since he was a young boy. In 1966, family Rinner realized their dream with the construction their own beekeeping operation with accompanying workrooms. It was only later...

Atlanta—Noble Investment Group recently announced they have broken ground on the Element by Westin Nashville. Located in the renowned West End neighborhood of Nashville, the hotel will be the brand’s debut in Nashville and will open in 2020. The upscale, lifestyle hotel will be a part of the vibrant 19-acre mixed-use development, oneC1TY. Anchored by Vanderbilt University, three major medical centers and foremost health care providers, significant corporate headquarters and Nashville’s famous Music Row, the hotel will be prominently located in one of the fastest growing markets in the United States. The Element by Westin Nashville will be LEED certified and...

ORLANDO, FLA.—On July 27, the Aloft Orlando Downtown threw a special party to mark a warm-and-fuzzy milestone that is dear to the hearts of hotel associates, guests and people in the community. It’s called the Bow Wow Luau, and it celebrated the 100th dog to be adopted in a partnership with the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. The luau is not your everyday canine mixer. The event included two Hawaiian-themed food trucks, live music, a Pawaiian costume contest and other fun activities. Special drinks such as Whisker Sours and Barky Marys were served at the bar. Hotel staff reached out to...

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—In an effort to promote tourism and visitation to the Sunshine State, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the launch of a new VISIT FLORIDA eco-friendly travel hub on VISITFLORIDA.com. The hub features tips and resources for green, sustainable travel throughout the state. Visitors can find information about environmentally friendly attractions, activities, dining, transportation, and lodging—and how to practice voluntourism while in Florida. “Since taking office, I have made the protection of our environment a top priority,” said Governor DeSantis. “In their continued effort to keep our state at the forefront of travelers’ minds, VISIT FLORIDA’s new eco travel hub will put...