NATIONAL REPORT—Las Vegas Sands, Wyndham Worldwide and MGM Resorts International have been listed among Newsweek Magazine’s 100 most environmentally responsible companies in the United States. Las Vegas Sands landed at No. 18 this year, Wyndham at No. 31, and MGM Resorts at 82.The Newsweek Green Rankings evaluate the world’s largest publicly-traded companies using eight metrics that provide a transparent measurement of overall corporate environmental performance. The eight main factors considered included carbon, energy, water, waste, and the extent to which internal governance is geared towards sustainability.“What we’re seeing more and more is a direct link between corporate sustainability, reputation,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Earlier this year Green Lodging News updated its readers on the many state level green lodging certification and recognition programs. That article followed a series of articles in 2013 on national certification programs. This article focuses on local or regional green certification programs in which lodging establishments can participate. By our count there are six—in Annapolis, Md.; Los Angeles; McAllen, Texas; New York’s Catskill region; Ohio’s Hocking Hills region; and San Francisco.In Annapolis, properties can participate in the Annapolis Environmental Stewardship Certification Program. The Annapolis Environmental Stewardship Certification Program is a part of the Department of Neighborhood and...

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—The Fairmont San Jose, in partnership with the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), has initiated an extensive exchange program that will upgrade more than 600 toilets and urinals to high-efficiency (1.28 gallons per flush for the toilets and .5 gallons per flush for the urinals) models over the next several weeks.By partnering with the SCVWD, the toilet installation supports Fairmont’s focus on improvements in waste management, sustainability and energy and water conservation. By upgrading to the approved high-efficiency toilets, the hotel anticipates an annual water savings of 2,368,669 gallons beginning with the first flush.“Supporting the governor’s...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced that two of its properties in Asia have become the first integrated resorts in the region to receive a prestigious sustainability certification.  Marina Bay Sands and the Venetian Macao, Las Vegas Sands’ integrated resorts in Singapore and Macao, have both earned the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System certification. ISO 20121 is developed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards. The standard provides meeting venues and event planners a framework of policies, procedures and processes that have been designed to address the management of environmental, economic...

PHOENIX—The Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) recently launched the state’s first Electric Vehicle Travel Guide. As ownership of fully electric vehicles (EV) gains speed and the infrastructure to support EVs continues to grow throughout the state, Arizona is poised to be a destination for EV drivers looking to travel with zero tailpipe emissions.“We want to take the guess work out of traveling Arizona with an electric vehicle and show EV drivers how they can enjoy our great state,” said Sherry Henry, AOT director.AOT’s Electric Vehicle Travel Guide is tailored specifically for all-electric vehicle travelers and filled with valuable, downloadable...

ORLANDO, FLA.—In keeping with its dedication to employ environmentally sound practices at the 500-acre property, Grande Lakes Orlando announces a boost to its growing eco-positive actions at its 18-hole golf course, and surrounding natural preserve as well as a significant recycling and waste reduction initiative in collaboration with Harvest Power.The green practices carried out on the golf course and towards the protection of its natural surroundings have earned the course the designation of “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” as well as a certification from the Golf Environment Organization (GEO). Most recently, it received the International Association of Golf Tour Operators...

DALLAS—Responding to the growing desire for more livable communities and rising concern about our planet, the Green Parking Council (GPC), an affiliate of the International Parking Institute (IPI), has launched the Green Garage Certification program. There is an increasing demand for quality garages in homes and buildings which meet environmental and economical sustainability standards. Steel garages are one of the environmentally and economically sustainable types of garages. The Green Garage Certification program is the parking industry equivalent of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification, and recognizes and inspires high standards in sustainable parking...

SAN DIEGO—Hilton San Diego Bayfront has been named the number one most sustainable Hilton hotel in the United States of America by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton San Diego Bayfront has recently received a number of green sustainability awards for the property’s multitude of recycling and energy conservation efforts. These notable recognitions come from a national and local level. In addition to being named the most sustainable Hilton property in the United States, City of San Diego has awarded the hotel with the 2014 Director’s Recycling Award, and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) recently recognized the hotel as the Energy...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)—the region’s tourism development agency charged with leading the Caribbean’s sustainable tourism development—and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the regional public health agency established by CARICOM, have agreed on a plan to address health, safety and environmental (HSE) issues that threaten the sustainability of the Caribbean tourism industry.This partnership will benefit member countries through greater mutual understanding and collaboration, as well as strong public-private sector partnerships at national and regional levels between tourism, health and environment stakeholders supporting a cohesive and coordinated approach to combatting adverse health, safety and environmental incidents, the two...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the publication of its inaugural corporate responsibility report, “Global Citizenship at Starwood.” The narrative provides an update on Starwood’s recent Global Citizenship initiatives, and outlines the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, community involvement, opportunities for associate development, and best practices in corporate governance.Frits van Paasschen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starwood, said, “At Starwood we believe being a good corporate citizen makes good business sense, and helps us offer our guests ‘A Better Way to Experience the World.’ Working closely with experts, NGOs, community partners, suppliers, and...