STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s aggressive environmental goals and design-led approach earned the company’s global headquarters the highest LEED accolades available. Home to approximately 1,200 Starwood associates representing nearly every global function, One StarPoint is the only building in Stamford to achieve the highest level of LEED certification. “We made a long-term investment in Stamford when we moved our global headquarters here and our extensive work for LEED certification is one way we continue to create a healthy and environmentally conscious work environment, which helps with retention, reduces energy consumption, and creates a more pleasant working experience,”...

ATLANTA—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced its 600th IHG Academy program, having doubled the number operating globally in the past year. IHG opened more than 300 programs during 2014 alone, giving almost 6,700 new IHG Academy participants the opportunity to develop the skills needed to work in the hospitality industry.Originally launched in China in 2006, IHG Academy is a pioneering global collaboration in the hospitality industry, between IHG hotels and local education providers and community organizations. It gives participants real-world experience working in the hospitality industry and allows IHG the opportunity to develop talented people to work in its hotels....

CONCORD, CALIF.—Hilton Concord has been honored with two prestigious and coveted designations for its ongoing dedication and commitment to sustainability. Contra Costa County awarded the Hilton Concord hotel with a Certified Green Business designation, the first hotel to receive this honor. In addition, the hotel received the 2014 Contra Costa Green Building Award by Sustainable Contra Costa. The Hilton Concord hotel is owned by VWI Concord LLC and operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.“We are proud to have achieved and exceeded the benchmarks in sustainability required for Green Business Certification and thrilled to be the recipient of the 2014...

CONCORD, N.H.—IRN-The Reuse+Recycling Network released the results of its surplus asset reuse program for 2014. IRN provided 6 million pounds of furnishings and equipment to 29 different charities active in 23 countries overseas and 20 U.S. states, where the furnishings are used to support disaster relief and economic development.IRN has a simple mission: to keep usable furnishings out of landfills and get them to communities where they are needed. When an organization comes to IRN with an inventory of surplus furnishings, IRN makes a match with its network of dozens of charitable partners. IRN then manages the project to...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide has reached an agreement with modular building provider CIMC to develop the first hotel at Bristol Airport (U.K.) under its economy Hampton by Hilton brand. Financed and owned by CIMC, the hotel will be managed by Hilton Worldwide.The announcement marks a strategic partnership between Hilton Worldwide and CIMC. CIMC’s innovative modular technique significantly reduces the time taken for construction by manufacturing and assembling portions of the hotel, including guestrooms and hallways, in China, before transporting them to the final site for assembly. The model helps ensure consistent quality and accelerates the build schedule on site, a...

NORTHBROOK, ILL.—UL, a global safety science leader, recently conducted a study to learn where value and return on investment lie in the area of sustainable buildings. The study and its result is available in a free white paper titled, “The Dawn of the Building Performance Era.” The paper wasa written by UL Chief Economist Erin Grossi.In the white paper, Grossi predicts disruption in the building market over the next five to 10 years as owners, operators and investors of buildings increasingly recognize the potential of innovation in building energy consumption, water usage and indoor air quality to positively impact...

LONDON—The Green Hotelier Awards 2015 are now open. Green Hotelier is searching for the best in class when it comes to green hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas. To reflect the increasingly broad geographical spread of Green Hotelier’s audience, this year the Green Hotelier Awards are open to hotels all over the world. There will be a winner and two runners up for each of the four regions. Green Hotelier is hoping to attract entries from hotels of all shapes and sizes—whether a rustic island resort or inner city business hotel.Those interested in...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the accomplishments of organizations and businesses participating in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge and WasteWise program for reducing their climate footprint, improving efficiency, helping communities and achieving cost savings through waste reduction. These programs save money, protect the environment and feed the hungry. Among those recognized were MGM Resorts International and McCormick Place.  “In 2013, EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge participants diverted more than 370,000 tons of wasted food from entering landfills or incinerators,” said Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “Of this total, more...

NATIONAL REPORT—Due to the sheer volume of electronic products in hotels, energy consumption and e-waste are big issues, from both environmental and monetary standpoints. There are televisions in every room and lobby, computers throughout administrative offices and business centers, at least one giant copier at each location. That adds up to a lot of potential energy hogging devices plugged in at the same time. At the end of the product’s useful life, figuring out where to recycle 400 televisions can be a daunting undertaking.Sustainability and purchasing professionals are faced with the Herculean task of finding cost-efficient, long lasting products...

NAPLES, FLA.—Lemon Tree Inn of Naples, Florida celebrated its new landscaping by releasing thousands of ladybugs on January 17. The boutique hotel has also sprouted a new “Pollination Package”, which offers a three-night stay with two tickets to the Naples Botanical Garden and a packet of flower seeds. Lemon Tree Inn, which has a butterfly garden in its courtyard garden, releases ladybugs as needed to rid the plants of pests. The hotel will release another group of ladybugs this June in celebration of National Pollinator Week.“The butterfly garden that Hunter Reno helped us create in 2010 was exquisite,” said...