NATIONAL REPORT—Whether for disposing of trash or for holding items purchased in a hotel or resort gift shop, bags—unless they are used over and over again—have historically been a detriment to the environment. There are not a lot of things that are created just to be thrown away but most bags fall into this category. Plastic bags account for 10,000 tons of landfill space in the United States. It takes a thousand years for a plastic bag to naturally degrade. Less than 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled each year. Plastic bags are blamed for the annual death...

BEREA, KY.—Berea College announced that Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant, a regional landmark owned and operated by the college, has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the first LEED certified hotel in Kentucky as well as the Appalachian region, and one of 21 LEED Gold or Platinum hotels in America. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system was designed by USGBC to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings and is the nation’s preeminent certification program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently welcomed the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center into the Florida Green Lodging Program. The 1,406-room resort is one of the largest in the state to participate, and the first in Osceola County’s popular Kissimmee resort corridor. In addition, the resort announced the upcoming rollout of a new guest communications program, called “We’re Eco-Logical,” designed to share the spirit of the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives with guests and meeting planners, while encouraging them to take an active role in the programs. “Together with the citizens of Osceola County, we have created...

Are you interested in creating healthier work environments? Using your garment or textile care budget to support truly environmentally friendly services and technology? What about adding an additional item to your checklist for becoming a green hotel? The Problems with Traditional Dry Cleaning Able to dissolve most organic materials, perchloroethylene (commonly known as perc or PCE) is the most widely used dry cleaning solvent nationally. It has been estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency that approximately 85 percent of cleaners use PCE as their primary solvent. However, some studies suggest that long-term frequent over-exposure to organic solvents such as PCE may...

FREEPORT, MAINE—Rates will be reduced by 50 percent at some of Maine’s finest inns and resorts this spring in support of Hospitality for Habitat, a Maine Innkeepers Association (MEIA) program designed to raise funds for local chapters of Habitat for Humanity while encouraging spring travel to Maine, announced Greg Dugal, executive director of MEIA. This year, after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a portion of the funds raised will be distributed to Habitat for Humanity projects in Haiti as well. Innkeepers all over the state, participating in the seventh annual Hospitality for Habitat, will reduce their room rates...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As demand for natural products continues to rise, the Natural Products Association (NPA) is extending its natural seal and standard to include home care products, such as household cleaners, laundry detergents, and concentrated and ready-to-use hard surface cleaners. Until now, there was no standard definition of the term “natural” used by the home care industry. Now, an easily identifiable seal will help consumers discern which products are natural. Shoppers can expect the seal to begin appearing on certified home care products in the coming months. “A number of products that are mainly synthetic are being positioned as natural,” said Daniel...

HONG KONG—Demonstrating its commitment to protecting the environment and mitigating climate change, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel groups, announced that it will participate for a second consecutive year in Earth Hour, a global Worldwide Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) climate change initiative. On March 27, 2010, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., more than 60 Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts worldwide will turn off their lights in most back-of-the-house areas and dim the lights in public areas, restaurants and hotel exteriors. Guests will be encouraged to participate by turning off the lights in their guestrooms. Shangri-La...

DANA POINT, CALIF.—Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment (AOTE) program will launch at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel on Earth Day, April 22, 2010. AOTE includes an environmental and cultural education center with excursions led by expert naturalists. “The launch of AOTE demonstrates our strong commitment to our community and our planet,” said general manager Bruce Brainerd. “The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel will be the first luxury resort in the continental United States to offer a comprehensive program that provides guests the opportunity to become advocates of protecting and preserving the planet for future generations through social responsibility and stewardship.” AOTE is...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The biggest news coming out of Carlson Hotels’ Global Business Conference from March 3 to 5 was its Ambition 2015 growth strategy focused on expanding the company’s property folio by at least 50 percent to more than 1,500 hotels in operation. From a corporate social responsibility perspective (CSR), the news at the conference may not have been as grand but it certainly was as important. Beathe-Jeanette Lunde, executive vice president of human resources for Carlson Hotels, The Americas, unveiled Carlson’s 2010 CSR strategy to Carlson stakeholders. Included in it is an Americas commitment to the United Nations Global...

SAN FRANCISCO—Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has introduced Wines That Care during its hosted nightly wine hour at nearly 50 hotels nationwide. For guests in the mood to mix and mingle in the living room-style lobby with a glass of red or white, every savored sip will come from a featured winery of the month chosen for its dedication to the earth and local communities. Hand-picked by Kimpton’s wine director and master sommelier, Emily Wines, Wines That Care will offer pours from a different winery each month that has a unique story and genuine commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability....