NATIONAL REPORT—The faucets go by a number of different names—hands free, electronic, touchless, sensor—but they are all geared toward improving hygiene, simplifying cleaning and maintenance, and conserving water and energy. Ideal for public restroom facilities where there is a continuous flow of different people, hands free faucets are also finding a home in commercial kitchens where employees are required to wash their hands. Several industry experts said there may come a day soon when hands free faucets are accepted in hotel guestroom bathrooms—as an “amenity upgrade,” one vendor said. Hands free faucets have been available for the mainstream public restroom...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has been named among a select group of leading international hotel companies that will work together to standardize carbon footprint measurement and communication within the hospitality industry. The Carbon Measurement Working Group includes members of the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). At present, customers, guests, investors and other stakeholders are unable to compare the environmental impact of different hotels. MGM Resorts was asked to be a part of this select group of hoteliers that is undertaking the groundbreaking work to develop a single method for calculating and communicating...

BURLINGTON, VERMONT—Ground was broken for a LEED-eligible hotel as local developers Jay Canning and Chuck DesLauriers announced the commencement of construction on the new 125-bedroom Hotel Vermont and Hen of the Wood Restaurant in Burlington. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and Commerce Secretary Lawrence Miller attended to commemorate the occasion on September 21, 2011.   The new Hotel Vermont will open at in Burlington 100 years after the original Hotel Vermont first welcomed guests. The property will be locally developed, owned and operated with design, construction and management teams all Burlington-based. NBT Bank and the US Department of Agriculture collaborated...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK—Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has received a top 2011 environmental achievement award from the National Park Service (NPS) for initiating a comprehensive composting program for Yosemite National Park. Delaware North operates Yosemite’s visitor services, including lodging, dining, recreation, retail and transportation services as a national park concessioner. The global hospitality management and food service provider launched the composting program in August 2009 to expand its longstanding recycling efforts at the park. Through November 2010, Delaware North’s composting initiative diverted 216 tons of organic waste—including food waste and paper products—from Yosemite’s kitchens and restaurants to Mariposa County’s...

TORONTO—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual conference and expo is making its way to Toronto next week to celebrate “what’s next” in green building. Greenbuild is the world’s largest green building conference and expo and is expected to make an economic impact of $26 million CAD, bringing 25,000 delegates from more than 115 countries to the event. A release from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre earlier this week also stated that Greenbuild will generate a positive impact on the local economy of more than $58 million from delegate spending. Toronto was selected by USGBC as the host city for...

SAN DIEGO—The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina expanded its commitment to sustainability and green practices with the official launch of a comprehensive food waste recycling program. The hotel’s food scraps are now diverted to the City of San Diego’s Greenery, where restaurants and hotels are able to turn breakfast, lunch and dinner leftovers into renewable products, including compost. In mid-summer, the Sheraton teamed with Waste Management of San Diego (WMSD) to implement a comprehensive program aimed at diverting 100 percent of its food waste and capturing the majority of the recyclable commodities from its waste stream. With their sights...

SOCHI, RUSSIA—The state company responsible for developing the world’s largest mountain skiing resort system in southern Russia at a cost of $15 billion has publicly unveiled the draft policy principles and advisory council concept that will guide its efforts toward reconciling planned economic development with the requirements of an ecologically sensitive region, which will also host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. “The North Caucasus is one of the last untouched mountain areas on the planet and represents a unique natural treasure for Russia and the rest of the world,” said Alexei Nevsky, CEO of OJSC Northern Caucasus Resorts Company (NCRC)....

TUCSON, ARIZ.—As the biggest opening to hit Tucson since Sol Casinos launched Casino Del Sol 10 years ago, the Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center knows the expectations are high. Seeking to not only meet those high expectations, but raise them, Sol Casinos announced its 215-room, 161,000-square-foot resort, opening on November 11, 2011, has earned inclusion in the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association’s Certified Green Lodging Program. To become certified under this program, properties must achieve a minimum of 150 points in 15 categories, which outline green initiatives in every aspect of the property, from the administrative offices...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) next update to the LEED green building program, coined LEED 2012, will include updates to the Materials & Resources (MR) credit category. The updates reflect thousands of write-in comments received through the first LEED public comment period and include changes to existing LEED credit categories as well as two new credit categories, Integrated Process (IP) and Performance (PF). The second public comment period for LEED 2012 wrapped up on September 14, 2011. Public comment periods are part of the continuous development process of the LEED program. The Materials & Resources (MR) credit category,...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, has again been named one of the 100 Best Companies by Working Mother magazine. The annual list recognizes top companies providing family-driven programs and benefits, with 100 percent of this year’s winning companies offering flexible hours, telecommuting, paid maternity leave, and employee assistance programs. “We are a family-oriented company providing great family travel experiences, so it is only fitting that we are also one of the best places for working moms to build their careers,” says Mary Falvey, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “With more than...