NEW YORK—At this past weekend’s International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show, carbon measurement was a hot topic as part of the Hospitality Leadership Forum. In “Reporting Your Hotel Carbon Metrics, Responding to Green RFPs,” the moderator and panelists summarized the progress of the lodging industry’s joint effort to develop standard metrics for hospitality carbon reporting. The session at the Javits Center was moderated by Pat Maher, green consultant, American Hotel & Lodging Assn. and partner, The Maher Group. The panelists included: George Favaloro, managing director, PwC; Eric Ricaurte, principal, Greenview; Maury Zimring, director, corporate responsibility & sustainability, InterContinental Hotels...

NATIONAL REPORT—Aside from mattress protectors, heat, steam and freezing, which have been reported on here at Green Lodging News, there are many other eco-friendly ways to address bed bugs—either from a detection or treatment standpoint. It is a challenge keeping up with the number of products available, especially those that do not involve toxic chemicals that can put employees and guests at risk, but with some investigation and comparison, one can find green solutions that work.Using detection devices can help find bed bugs early and help minimize or even eliminate the use of chemicals down the road—something many hoteliers...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. shot up the list of America’s most environmental companies in Newsweek’s Green Rankings. The company saw a rise of 238 ranks to #128 on the U.S. list, the largest positive change on the list of 500 companies and 20 industries.The Green Rankings comprehensively assess the environmental performance of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States and around the world. It ranks companies based on their actual environmental footprint, management of that footprint, and sustainability communications. The rankings provide a reliable, cross-industry framework for comparing the environmental commitment and performance of major companies.“Our...

MCLEAN, VA.—After more than a decade dedicated to refurbishing historical, cultural and iconic landmarks across the Americas, Hampton Hotels announced the achievement of its long-term goal to preserve one landmark in each U.S. state through its Save-A-Landmark program. On Saturday, September 29, the global brand of nearly 1,900 hotels worldwide donated $25,000 toward the restoration of the Kilauea Lighthouse in Hawaii in honor of National Public Lands Day.“We are thrilled to be able to help aid the preservation of the Kilauea Lighthouse as it prepares for its centennial celebration in 2013,” said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president of global brand...

HILLSBORO, ORE.—MindClick SGM along with Marriott International announced the launch of the hotel industry’s first pilot program to gauge the impact of sustainable purchasing on guest perception, satisfaction and loyalty through a vendor sustainability evaluation program, guest marketing program and research study. In the program, the Residence Inn by Marriott Portland West/Hillsboro, owned by Apple REIT Six, will be renovated using approved suppliers who are evaluated and rated by the MindClick Hospitality Sustainability Performance Index (HSP Index).The HSP Index is the hospitality industry’s first and only supply chain sustainability rating and reporting system to help hoteliers furnish and supply...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new set of Global Alternative Compliance Paths, or Global ACPs, are now available for all commercial projects pursuing LEED green building certification using the 2009 versions of the rating systems. Global ACPs offer a flexible method for projects around the world to demonstrate compliance with the LEED credits that are traditionally more challenging for projects outside of the United States.“Global consistency and a regional approach mean providing flexibility in referenced standards while ensuring that LEED certification signifies the same level of excellence worldwide,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president, LEED, USGBC. “By focusing on global standards and...

SAN JUAN, P.R.—A year into their Green Hotel Certification program, the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. (PRTC) is beginning to make headway in getting lodging establishments on board. The first Green Certification was awarded earlier this year on April 22 (Earth Day) to the off-the-grid Casa Solaris at Hix Island House in Vieques. Last month, the executive director of PRTC, Luis G. Rivera Marín, awarded new certificates to Turtle Bay Inn in Lajas and Parador Villas del Mar Hau in Isabela. The Tourism Co. has a pipeline of roughly 15 hotels in line to receive certification.The ceremony granting the certification...

LANCASTER, PA.—High Hotels Ltd., a Lancaster, Pa.-based operator of nationally branded hotels, has introduced electric vehicle charging stations at its properties in Greenfield Corporate Center in East Lampeter Township. Guests of the Courtyard by Marriott, at 1931 Hospitality Drive, and the Hampton Inn, at 545 Greenfield Road, can fully charge their all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles in two to four hours.The two new charging stations join a third station in Greenfield Corporate Center next to the offices of AMERIgreen Energy, a Lancaster, Pa.-based wholesale energy provider. High Hotels partnered with AMERIgreen Energy to install the charging stations.Green Plus-Certified High...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced a new mattress recycling program in coordination with the installation of new Serta mattresses and box springs. Available immediately across all brands in the United States, the program will recycle approximately 85 percent of Hilton hotel mattresses and box springs into various products rather than being diverted to a landfill. “Our hotels have purchased more than 50,000 mattresses in the past two years in the U.S. alone,” said Randy Gaines, vice president, engineering operations for the Americas at Hilton Worldwide. “This program presents a great opportunity for our hotels globally, offers a cost savings to...

CAMPECHE, MEXICO—Fourteen of Mexico’s major tourism companies and associations have signed commitments to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, joining the growing number of private sector players that have pledged to promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism as championed by the Code.The signing, held on the occasion of the 94th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council, was witnessed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, the Minister of Tourism of Mexico, Gloria Guevara, and the Members of UNWTO Executive Council.“Today you are committing your company to the integration of ethical norms and responsible practices in...