DENVER—As a company, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has always strived to involve employees and guests in the common goal of preserving and protecting the planet. Mirroring this commitment, Four Seasons Hotel Denver announces new sustainability measures at its property.“At Four Seasons, being environmentally responsible is part of who we are,” says Thierry Kennel, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Denver. “Our Hotel guests share these same values, so we have launched several new green initiatives, such as biodegradable room keys.”The hotel has enacted the following environmentally friendly offerings: •    Recyclable coffee pods: Hotel guests enjoy Nespresso machines in their...

BANGKOK—Best Western International has unveiled a new luxury eco-resort in Malaysia. Nestled among the lush jungle-clad hills of the Malay Peninsula, Best Western Premier The Haven, Ipoh is one of the first properties in Malaysia to use 100 percent renewable energy, by harnessing the power of the wind and sun. The resort also harvests rainwater to use elsewhere in the property. “We are delighted to have been entrusted with the running of this stunning, environmentally-friendly resort,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western’s Vice President of International Operations for Asia & Middle East. “Best Western Premier The Haven, Ipoh, really...

SEATTLE—Agrilicious has launched the first-of-its-kind national go-to source for all things local food. The website helps one find, select and celebrate the benefits of locally sourced food. Agrilicious is also about expanding the family-farmer connection, bringing together individuals, farmers, restaurants, grocery delivery, meal kit services, distributors, educators and food industry experts and advocates to share ideas, connect, and make a difference.Celebrating the best of food, farms and family, Agrilicious is not just for the foodies, locavores and farmers, it is for all those working with farmers to help get local food to the community. Most of all it is...

CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE—The Inn by the Sea’s Sea Glass Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich learned most of what he thinks is important from his grandmother, helping her cook family dinners when a boy in his native Argentina. “Nothing went to waste,” says Kaldrovich. “You bake bread today, tomorrow you make bread pudding. My grandmother respected local farmers and fishermen too much to waste the food they produced.”Early lessons feed the chef’s enthusiasm for the Root to Stalk movement. A long time advocate for farm to fork, trawl to table and fresh seasonal menus, the chef sees the culinary sense of using...

OTTAWA, ONT.—Westmont Hospitality Group (WHG), one of the largest privately-held hospitality organizations in the world, has solidified its position as a leader in sustainable lodging with a full commitment to Green Key Global in Canada. As of November 2013, Green Key Global’s Eco-Rating Program has certified the entire 120-plus Canadian hotel portfolio, with each property earning a Key rating befitting its environmental performance.Westmont has an ownership interest in and operates over 1,100 hotels. Currently this stands at over 500 hotels across three continents. Westmont has formed strategic alliances with many of the world’s largest hotel brands. These include Fairmont,...

NORTH SHORE, OAHU, HAWAII—Officials of Turtle Bay Resort are pleased that a conservation easement to preserve in perpetuity 665.8 acres of scenic open space on the North Shore, including Kawela Bay, has been secured with the State of Hawaii. This landmark agreement, which covers nearly 79 percent of the open space land owned by Turtle Bay Resort, was announced by Governor Neil Abercrombie at the Hawaii State Capitol.Added together with the 469 acres of open space land that Turtle Bay Resort and is protecting with a separate conservation easement, this brings the total amount of North Shore open space...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide was named to the 14th annual DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. Ranked 39, this is the second consecutive year the company has been in the Top 50. The DiversityInc Top 50 list includes companies from a wide range of industries whose leadership, procurement practices, communications and associate engagement best reflect the reality of the rapidly changing face of today’s workforce.“Receiving this recognition is a tremendous honor and reflection of our commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion, while also serving as a global competitive advantage that strengthens the company’s operating performance and the value created...

NATIONAL REPORT—Part of what makes outdoor furniture sustainable is its sturdiness—its ability to last for years without requiring replacement. Another green factor is the materials from which the furniture is made. Fortunately for hoteliers, there is a wide variety of outdoor furniture available that has a strong green materials story. A large percentage of that furniture is made from recycled plastic—primarily high density polyethylene (HDPE) from recycled milk jugs and other containers. Suppliers have their own names for the plastic material that can be used in the construction of furniture items ranging from chairs to tables to towel valets...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Plumbing inspectors, manufacturers, engineers, contractors, labor representatives and other industry technical experts in Las Vegas voted overwhelmingly to make a change to plumbing codes that will ensure hot water pipes in new homes and commercial buildings are insulated. Overall, insulation of hot water pipes will shorten the amount of time spent waiting for hot water at showers and faucets, and cut hot water waste by 15 to 30 percent.The vote took place during the review of proposed changes to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Plumbing Code. The proposal was championed by the United...

NEW ORLEANS—The LSU AgCenter and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate LSU AgCenter’s organic fertility research project, located on property near the Convention Center. Dr. Rogers Leonard, Associate Vice Chancellor and Program Leader for Plant and Soil Sciences, LSU AgCenter, and Dr. Bobby Fletcher, Jr., Assistant Director, LSU AgCenter, Convention Center officials, plus representatives from the local urban farming community were on hand for the event.For the next two years, research on Bella Rosa tomatoes will be conducted on the one-quarter acre plot to evaluate the effectiveness and economics of organic...