BOSTON—Guests staying at the recently opened 480-bed hostel in downtown Boston can take a tour of the property with their smartphones thanks to hundreds of strategically placed QR codes. A QR code (abbreviation of Quick Response codes), when scanned by a smartphone, launches a web page that describe the environmental initiatives in that part of the building. Kelly Smith, director of marketing & sales, Hostelling International Boston, says the codes are part of a Green G Tour.“In every major space you will find stickers,” Smith says. “One of our spaces is our stairwell. for that area talks about...

ATLANTA – ASHRAE’s first standard focused on the commissioning process is open for public comment. Standard 202P, Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems, would identify the minimum acceptable commissioning process for buildings and systems as described in ASRHAE’s Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning Process. The proposed standard is open for public review through October 1, 2012. By taking the best practices from the guideline, first published in 1989, and writing a standard, the requirements can be adopted by code bodies and used by standards developers, according to Gerald Kettler, chair of the Standard 202P committee.“The proposed standard will benefit the...

SAN IGNACIO, BELIZE—An innovative program aimed at engaging young people with their natural world while instilling a sense of environmental and social responsibility is underway again at Belize’s Chaa Creek eco-resort. Chaa Creek’s owners, Mick and Lucy Fleming have been sponsoring the annual free summer camp since 2010 and interest has since risen dramatically among young people and schools in Belize, where much of the land is pristine wilderness and eco-tourism is the primary means of employment.“We’ve always felt that an investment in our young people was Belize’s best hope for the future, and now, after sponsoring the Eco-Kids...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Architects, engineers, and urban planners are consistently seeking to access and manage the environmental impacts the buildings they produce. Although the operational energy of commercial structures in the United States accounts for approximately 35 percent of total electricity consumption, the materials that are used to build the building are also scrutinized for their environmental impact.The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has a new software tool for building professionals studying all phases of the complete lifecycle of a building, from acquisition of materials to construction, the use of the building, and finally demolition and end of life to determine its...

ORANJESTAD, ST. EUSTATIUS—The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) is preparing to host a conference from September 25 to 27, during which delegates will discuss critical issues relating to the island’s sustainability.The theme of the Statia Sustainable Conference (SSC), “Powering Sustainable Development,” is identical to the proposed theme for this year’s World Tourism Day by the World Tourism Organization. The objectives of the STDF is to gather all sustainability related sectors and link as a team to additionally educate and inform the public regarding the importance of sustainable practices. By influencing the community in the right direction of sustainability...

NATIONAL REPORT—Most toilet paper available today for the away-from-home market includes most, if not all, recycled content. While the percentage of pre and post consumer recycled content in bathroom tissue can vary by brand and supplier, the good news is that, whether pre or post consumer material, the use of recycled fiber keeps it out of the landfill. Some brands of tissue are more eco-friendly than others. With a bit of research, one can determine what to consider, besides cost, when making a green purchasing decision.The U.S. Department of Energy ranks paper manufacturing as the fifth most energy-intensive industry:...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Dover Downs Hotel & Casino has partnered with Orlando-based social enterprise Clean the World to collect and recycle hotel soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and gels to help fight the global spread of preventable diseases. The soaps collected by Dover Downs Hotel & Casino will be shipped to Clean the World for recycling and distribution to communities and countries in greatest need through the efforts of Clean the World Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.Dover Downs Hotel & Casino has a total of 500 rooms and is projected to provide nearly 45,000 bars of soap and bottled amenities—more than three...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Tuesday, August 21, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership (GPP) will host a webinar on “Sustainable Energy Use in the Hotel Industry.” The webinar will feature information about sustainability in the hotel industry, including success stories from two EPA Green Power Partners that have incorporated green power into their sustainability initiatives, as well as support available to hotels that want to go green. By addressing the environmental impacts of the sizable resources and energy needed for hotel operations, many in the hospitality industry are on the cutting...

ITHACA, N.Y.—Those attending the 2012 Cornell Hospitality Research Summit (CHRS) will be able to choose from more than 80 research-based, industry-focused presentations. Scheduled for October 8 and 9, 2012, at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, the CHRS features top-level presentations from a balanced mix of hospitality industry leaders and academic researchers. The conference’s goal is to provide fact-based, strategic information that will help the industry move forward. An overview of the CHRS schedule is available from the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR), which is producing the conference. Early registration for CHRS at a reduced rate is now open....

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The GBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), has named the five winners of the Project ICARUS Gold Medal award: IHG, Symantec Corp., Sabre Holdings, Enterprise Holdings and PwC. Gold Medals are given to travel buyers and suppliers actively integrating sustainability efforts into their travel programs.The Project ICARUS Gold Medal program recognizes organizations that are taking action in the drive for greater sustainability within the travel profession. Project ICARUS is the first global travel management sustainability body, with representatives from buyers, suppliers, academics and subject matter experts from Europe, North America,...