DALLAS—Accor North America (ANA), one of the largest hotel chain owner and operators in North America, was recognized at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Sustainable Materials Management ceremony recently for its environmental stewardship. ANA successfully met two key environmental goals as part of its commitment to the EPA’s National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP), a partnership focused on reducing hazardous chemicals from products and processes. ANA’s first goal—to divert one pound of mercury from unsafe landfill disposal—was achieved through the company’s fluorescent light bulb recycling program. Since 2009, ANA locations have recycled 9,529 fluorescent lamps, amounting to just over one...

TORONTO—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced the launch of the Demand Response Partnership Program (DR Partnership Program). The DR Partnership Program will reach thousands of commercial buildings to educate, promote and drive participation in demand response programs. Through the program, USGBC and EDF will partner with selected utilities, solution providers and program sponsors to work together on this groundbreaking initiative. “There is no doubt that without demand response this past summer that our nation’s electric grid could have experienced significant stresses costing the economy untold billions of dollars,” said Jon Wellinghoff, chairman of the...

NAPA, CALIF.—Francis Ford Coppola’s resorts in Belize—Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn—announced that they have formalized a partnership with Alexandra Cousteau’s Blue Legacy, an environmental foundation that works to engage mainstream audiences on global water issues. Cousteau, the granddaughter of renowned environmentalist Jacques Yves-Cousteau, will travel to Belize in spring 2012 in order to explore and film critical environmental issues for a worldwide audience. Committed and dedicated to fostering best practices in ecotourism and sustainable travel, the Coppola Resorts will host the Blue Legacy group during their stay in Belize. By leveraging Coppola Resorts’ valuable relationships with the area’s conservation partners...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Peabody Orlando announced the launch of its new Organics Recycling Program. The compost program is in partnership with Waste Management, Inc. of Florida and is the first of its kind in the Orlando area. The Peabody Orlando plans to roll out the new program in the hotel’s banquet kitchen and looks to expand the initiative to all of its other food and beverage outlets in the near future. “We are pleased to be one of the first hotel properties in Orlando to launch such a program,” stated Michael Jueds, director of engineering, The Peabody Orlando. “At The Peabody...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The Las Vegas community of Summerlin is now the home of Nevada’s newest LEED certified hotel. Designed to be “green from the ground up,” Element hotels blend eco-inspired smart design, bright, open spaces, and flowing layouts in guestrooms. Element serves as Starwood’s green innovation lab, where sustainable practices are tested before migrating to other brands. With Element Las Vegas Summerlin’s certification, six Element hotels in North America now boast a LEED designation. Element, from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., made history in 2008 by becoming the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Grand has revealed designs for its new rooms and suites. Underway this week, the $160 million remodel includes all 3,570 guestrooms and 642 suites in the hotel’s main tower and is expected to conclude by September 2012. The initial set of redesigned rooms will be complete by the end of November 2011. “Our new rooms complement MGM Grand’s incredible collection of accommodations,” said Scott Sibella, president and COO for MGM Grand. “This is one of many exciting announcements on the horizon, all of which will solidify MGM Grand’s position not only as an entertainment destination, but as a...

ORLANDO—Less than a month remains before the Third Annual Green Lodging & Hospitality Conference. The event will be held November 8 to 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando. The conference will include two tracks of breakout sessions in addition to three pre-conference events. Sponsors for the conference include the Green Meeting Industry Council’s Florida/Caribbean chapter; the American Green Lodging and Hospitality Assn. (AGLHA); the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute, University of Florida; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Florida Restaurant & Lodging Assn.; Visit Orlando; the Hospitality Advocacy Committee of the U.S. Green Building...

NATIONAL REPORT—While a majority of CFOs are aware that sustainability will profoundly affect their “mainstream” duties, almost one third of them—31 percent—say they are either rarely involved or not involved in sustainability strategy and governance at their companies. This is among the key findings of Sustainable Finance: The risks and opportunities that (some) CFOs are overlooking, a global survey launched by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL). The survey was conducted among 208 CFOs of large companies in 10 countries during the first half of 2011. “The findings of the survey suggest that CFOs can and should take a more energetic role...

MCLEAN, VA.—Due to its advancements in quality assurance and sustainability standards, Hilton Worldwide and its portfolio of 10 hotel brands has earned ISO 9001 certification for Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management Systems. With these certifications, Hilton Worldwide becomes one of the first multinational organizations to certify its entire system globally—more than 3,750 properties in 85 countries—achieving one of the largest ever volume certifications of commercial buildings. “Hilton Worldwide has built both quality and sustainability into our overall performance standards and operational procedures,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. “While our commitment has...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, ranks number one in the hospitality industry and among the top 10 percent in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Global 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. The Index highlights the constituent companies within the S&P 500 Index which have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance regarding climate change information disclosure practices. With a carbon disclosure score of 83, this was the first appearance for Wyndham Worldwide on the annual index by the CDP, which represents 551 institutional investors with $71 trillion in assets. CDP commended Wyndham Worldwide for its...