WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Hotel Kitchen program, a partnership between World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), marks five years of fighting food waste this year. The program works with the hospitality industry using innovative strategies to engage staff, partners, and guests in cutting waste from hotel kitchens. By preventing food waste from occurring at their properties, donating excess food that is still safe for people to eat and diverting the rest away from landfills, hotels participating in the Hotel Kitchen program saw reductions of up to 38 percent of food waste in just 12 weeks. Food waste occurs while...

FORT MYERS BEACH, FLA.—The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina announced that they have achieved the coveted “4 Palm” designation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Green Lodging Program, the highest level of recognition. The Florida Green Lodging Program designates and recognizes lodging facilities that voluntarily commit to conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources. The program’s environmental guidelines allow the hospitality industry to continuously evaluate its operations, set goals, and take specific actions to improve environmental performance. To become designated, facilities must conduct a thorough property assessment and implement a specified number of environmental practices in five areas of...

NEW YORK—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Informa Connect , a division of Informa plc, announced the Greenbuild International Conference + Expo 2022 slate of keynote speakers, ranging from leading officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation to Jane Fonda and leaders in climate and ESG. This year’s conference will take place November 1 to 3 in San Francisco at the LEED Platinum Moscone Center. Registration is now open for industry professionals and press. This year, Greenbuild is celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the world’s leading sustainable building conference. In celebration of 20 years, Greenbuild is expanding on what it means...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) announced the appointment of Peter Templeton as President & CEO. Templeton has played a leading role in the development, launch and ongoing operation of the LEED program, the most widely used and respected green building program in the world which developers, corporations and governments have leveraged to dramatically reduce their environmental footprints. LEED provides a comprehensive, globally recognized framework for healthy, high-performing green buildings, communities, and cities. Templeton has served at USGBC and its partner organization Green Building Certification Inc. (GBCI) for over 20 years. During the past year, he has...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) have announced a new strategic partnership between the two organizations to drive advanced ESG efforts within the hotel and hospitality industry. As part of the partnership, AHLA, AHLA Foundation and the Alliance will amplify and collaborate to support one another’s programs and solutions, including the AHLA Foundation’s workforce development programs and the No Room for Trafficking campaign and the Alliance’s social and environmental sustainability tools and resources. The announcement of the partnership follows a two-day summit hosted by the Alliance that brought together senior hospitality leaders and strategic partners to discuss...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.—Grand Richmond Hotel, one of Bangkok’s premier hotels, was awarded WellHotel Accreditation for Medical Travel & Well-being by Global Healthcare Accreditation. The hotel is operated by the Richmond Group. Setting the standard for luxury events and business and leisure stays, the Grand Richmond Hotel is a distinctive five-star convention venue and hotel located in northern Bangkok just a short drive from the city center. The hotel is operated by the Richmond Group, one of Thailand's premier hoteliers, who recently added a new 35-story tower to the property and upgraded the existing facilities with an elegant remodel and redesign. The hotel welcomes travelers from all over the world...

NEW YORK—HX: The Hotel Experience and Boutique Design New York (BDNY) will be back at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from November 13 to 14. The two concurrent shows will together feature approximately 600 different exhibiting brands, many of which will be focused on saving energy and water, reducing waste, and improving indoor air quality. Both shows will offer educational opportunities as well. At HX there will be a Sunday, November 13 session focused on “What to Know Now to Prevent and End Human Trafficking.” The following is that session’s description: “Awareness of human trafficking starts with two foundational...

OSLO, NORWAY—Nordic Hotels & Resorts announced the grand opening of its newest luxury hotel, Sommerro, located in the heart of Frogner in Oslo’s West End. One of Europe’s most anticipated launches of 2022, the urban retreat is set within the former headquarters of Oslo Lysverker, the city’s original electrical company, and is energizing the neighborhood and its surroundings with a new sense of creative spirit that pays tribute to Norway’s cultural heritage. Providing a home away from home for both travelers and locals, the iconic 231-room Art Deco hotel is complete with 56 branded residences, seven restaurants and bars, meeting...

LONDON—Leading industry body UKHospitality unveiled its program aimed at guiding the sector to net zero by 2040. The trade body’s new Sustainability Commitment sets out 10 pledges in four key areas. Announced at a seminar at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, the trade body’s new Sustainability Commitment sets out 10 pledges in four key areas—waste, supply chain, skills and biodiversity. The initiative forms part of a wider drive to help businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), make hospitality a leader in sustainability. The 10 pledges outlined in UKHospitality’s Sustainability Program comprise: To deliver on 2040 net-zero aims for the sector; Roll out the...

NEW YORK—Finding the right best practices for a bike or e-bike lending program should not be taken lightly. Your choice of bike supplier could mean the difference between happy, satisfied guests and staff and both groups getting stressed due to middle-of-nowhere breakdowns and mechanical messes. If you do get your bike and e-bike program right, it can be a shining, brand-building amenity for your property—and keep guests coming back for more. Green Lodging News recently spoke with Lauren Jones, Director of Partnerships for New York-based Priority Bicycles, to not only learn more about her company but to also get a...