HONOLULU, HAWAII—Last year, eight Outrigger Hotels and Resorts properties in Waikiki waged war on waste by encouraging hotel guests to go green. More than 883,000 recyclable plastic bottles and aluminum cans were collected from guestrooms for a total weight of more than 20 tons, up from 17.5 tons in 2011. This record company performance, if stacked end to end, would equal the height of a whopping 30 Mauna Kea mountains or a tower 540 times taller than Diamond Head. Outrigger launched the in-room recycling program in 2006 at its two Waikiki beachfront hotels, encouraging visitors to leave plastic bottles...

PITTSBURGH—Fairmont Pittsburgh announced that it has been named Fairmont Hotels & Resorts 2012 Environmental Hotel of the Year. The award recognizes Fairmont properties around the world for outstanding commitment to the Green Partnership Program, a company-wide environmental stewardship program. The announcement was made by Jennifer Fox, president of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.“The colleagues of Fairmont Pittsburgh have an obvious enthusiasm for environmental stewardship, and we are proud to honor them with this award,” said Sarah Dayboll, director of environmental affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “Their outstanding efforts regarding energy and carbon reduction, water conservation, waste minimization and fostering environmentally...

HERNDON, VA.—Staff members at the Washington Dulles Marriott Suites can’t help getting all bubbly when they talk about the Herndon hotel’s latest charitable effort. The hotel is one of just a few hotels near Dulles airport to team up with Clean the World, a nonprofit that collects soaps, shampoos, conditioners and lotions discarded by the hospitality industry every day. The organization, which operates in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 10 Canadian provinces, then uses a patent-pending process to clean the products so volunteers can redistribute them for humanitarian purposes around the globe.Hand washing with soap significantly...

NATIONAL REPORT—On a winter’s day when the temperature in the Washington, D.C. area soared into the 70s, the ASAE Convene Green Alliance (CGA) took an adventurous group of 20 meeting professionals and industry partners on a behind-the-scenes “Green Safari” tour of the sustainability program at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View, one of only three LEED Gold certified hotels in Virginia. Participants received bandanas to wear and were greeted by Renaissance associates dressed in pith helmets and safari gear to set the theme for this unique learning format. The Green Safari demonstrated how the property earned LEED Gold status and how it...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Women business leaders from the Middle East and Gulf States gathered in late February at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai to discuss “Women as Dynamic Forces of Change,” as part of a three-day celebration honoring the iconic new hotel. Created as a forum to empower women, the luncheon and panel discussion sparked the beginning of a longer-term strategic brand partnership between JW Marriott and Vital Voices, a global nonprofit that trains and mentors women to enhance their leadership and economic opportunity. The Dubai Business Women Council, the leading organization of women entrepreneurs in Dubai, also partnered on this...

MILL VALLEY, CALIF.—Auberge Resorts has announced environmentally focused offerings at each of its luxury resorts across North America that will encourage guests to share in the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Each property is introducing a new collection of Earth Month guest experiences kicking off during Earth Hour on March 23 and available throughout the month of April.“Environmental preservation is intrinsic to the Auberge Resorts brand; our mission is to preserve the essence of place in each resort location and allow our guests to experience that cultural and environmental connection at each destination,” said Mark Harmon, CEO, Auberge Resorts....

WICHITA, KAN.—Value Place, the United States’ largest economy extended-stay lodging brand, unveiled a refreshed property standard that delivers cost efficiency and convenience for operators and new room features for guests. The new “Value Place 2.0” design carries more than 30 significant enhancements that range from more energy-efficient lighting and appliances to improved locking systems and expanded storage and counter space. Value Place’s property in Alpharetta, Ga., is the first location to incorporate the 2.0 features throughout the building. Intended as the established standard for all future development, the upgrades are being implemented in all new Value Place properties and phased...

LAS VEGAS—For the fifth consecutive year Caesars Entertainment has committed to participate in the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour, visually demonstrating its commitment to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. Caesars Entertainment’s worldwide resorts and casinos in the United States, Uruguay and China will shut off non-essential exterior lighting and marquees from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time on March 23. “By participating in Earth Hour globally, we will be presenting a united visual and call to action for individuals and businesses to address climate change,” said Gwen Migita, vice president of sustainability and community affairs at Caesars Entertainment....

NORWALK, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts being recognized as an Energy Star Partner of the Year for the fourth consecutive year should come as no surprise to those who follow the Norwalk, Conn.-based company. HEI has been relentless and methodical about weeding out energy, water and waste inefficiencies for years and that dedication is reflected in the 34 hotels that it owns and manages and the nine properties that it just manages. Since 2005, HEI has spent $12 million on energy conservation projects and is currently participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. As part of that...

RENO, NEV.—The Siena Hotel Spa Casino announced they are moving toward greener solutions by converting from traditional paper slips to virtual drawings and digital comp slips. The Siena, located in Reno, Nev., has purchased a software system to enhance the players’ experience while supporting the environment. Now, players no longer have to retrieve and keep tickets they earn to win in drawings; the virtual drawing randomly selects a lucky winner. In addition, new digital comp slips allow for players to easily access their comps earned at any outlet throughout the property just by showing their Siena Rewards Card.The new...