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...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched its new online data visualization resource that highlights real-time green building data for each state in the United States and Washington, D.C. The enhanced state market briefs—highlighting LEED projects, LEED-credentialed professionals and USGBC membership in each state—provide green building advocates and the general public a look into LEED’s impact within any U.S. state.“Our state-level market briefs demonstrate USGBC’s commitment to data and information transparency at an important level of granularity,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer, USGBC. “You can’t find this data anywhere else in the market. The choice to build...

MADISON, WIS.—In spring 1994, John and Cathie Imes took the first step towards developing a pioneering bed-and-breakfast concept—an urban environmental inn. They purchased the Plough Inn, a former stagecoach tavern in the early days of Wisconsin’s statehood that had been a private residence for many years, before it was developed into an inn. The couple immediately set out to improve operations while showcasing an environmentally friendly approach. Twenty years later, their mission of providing the art of hospitality while serving as a model for sustainable business remains intact.“We are fortunate to have a business where working together as a...

CHICAGO—A comprehensive program of seminars and keynote sessions provides the educational and inspirational platform at this year’s NeoCon trade show in Chicago. For the 46th edition of the largest commercial interiors trade show in the United States—to be held from June 9 to 11 at the Merchandise Mart—organizers have curated a compelling, content-rich array of topics that represent the breadth and currency of issues and ideas relevant to the industry today. Whether it’s continuing education, fresh thinking and approaches, or new trends, NeoCon has a diverse program offering to meet the needs and goals of its audience. With greater...

LAS VEGAS—Strengthening its position in the meetings and convention industry, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino announced plans to expand its Convention Center. Based on demand for additional space, the resort will add new exhibit space, underground parking and increase overall square footage. Mandalay Bay is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International.Plans include the addition of more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space to the existing 1.7 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center as well as underground parking and more carpeted ballroom space. The new spaces will allow Mandalay Bay to grow current shows, pursue new and larger...

YAO NOI, THAILAND—In support of Six Senses core values of sustainability and respect for the environment, Six Senses Yao Noi has launched an organic chicken farm. In January the resort purchased 200 young laying hens and as of April 2014 the farm now provides guests with fresh eggs daily. By June, it is estimated that the chickens will supply the resort with all their eggs.Jim Driskell, senior chef de cuisine at The Dining Room, the resort’s organic European cuisine restaurant, in conjunction with Khun Pim, the resort’s full time sustainability and recycling expert, developed the organic chicken farm from...

SINGAPORE—Agoda.com, one of Asia’s leading hotel booking sites and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group, announced the results of their Global Earth Day Hotels Survey, which shows that while most travelers like environmentally friendly hotels, they don’t want to pay much more to stay in them.The survey, conducted online in March, 2014, asked 57,000 Agoda.com customers how they felt about environmental efforts by hotels. While 58 percent of all travelers said they preferred hotels that claimed to be environmentally friendly, only 39 percent said they would pay an extra $10 or more per night to stay in one.Travelers from the...

IRVINE, CALIF.—About one million partly-used bars of soap are disposed of daily by U.S. hotels. With April 22 serving as Earth Day, this month marks the time of year to think about the ways individuals and companies can be less wasteful and more environmentally friendly.    Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of boutique hotels on the Pacific Coast, keeps this notion top of mind throughout the year. In a partnership with Clean the World, Pacifica Hotels donates partially or unused bars of soap and bath products to be repurposed and donated to impoverished areas. The initiative, which has...