NATIONAL REPORT—Much has been written about the many millions of partially used bars of soap and amenity bottles disposed of each year. Thanks to Clean the World and other nonprofits, a sizable amount of that waste is now being repurposed. But what about k cups, those little single-serve beverage (mostly coffee) pods used in Keurig Green Mountain brewers? According to research by data firm NPD Group, 40 percent of Canadian homes have a single-serving coffee brewer. In the United States that number is closer to 30 percent. An estimated 20+ billion k cups will be consumed in 2015. Many...

DETROIT—Thom Connors, SMG Regional Vice President and General Manager of Cobo Center, announced that Cobo Center has received the Convention Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) certification, by the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC), a nonprofit, membership-based professional organization, and spearheaded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which provides educational resources to planners, suppliers, and venues seeking to meet the ever-rising standards consumers set for sustainable meetings.The GMIC award is the fourth for Cobo Center related to sustainability efforts. In 2012, Cobo became the largest Green Venues Michigan facility. In 2014, Cobo was designated an EcoWorks Sustainable Communities Champion....

TAMPA, FLA.—Go Green Planters, Inc. (GGP), a family operated nursery stock dealer, is collaborating with K9s for Warriors. The company is calling the program Plants for K9s.On behalf of K9s for Warriors, a leading nonprofit organization that rescues dogs to train them to be service dogs for veterans battling the effects of PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, GGP provides a lush tropical plant for each guestroom at no cost to the hotel. In consideration of this new amenity, guests are asked to contribute $1.00 to K9s for Warriors. As stated by Craig Van Pelt, President of GGP, “We’re honored...

NEW YORK—To mark its centennial anniversary, the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) is unveiling a new brand and mission to better capture the dynamic innovation of the hospitality industry. HX: The Hotel Experience—Rooms to Restaurants (HX), will debut November 8 to 10, 2015 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City and represents a bold new strategic direction.This multimillion-dollar investment aimed at revitalizing the largest hospitality trade event in North America is founded on the belief that true hospitality is anticipating a guest’s needs to create a memorable and unique experience. To achieve that, HX...

PORTLAND, ORE.—This summer, the Oregon Convention Center will install what is anticipated to be one of the largest solar arrays on a convention center in the United States. More than 6,500 rooftop solar panels are expected to produce 25 percent of the facility’s electricity. Construction of the two megawatt project is scheduled to begin in August and the system is expected to be in service this fall. “One of our core values is sustainability,” said convention center Executive Director Scott Cruickshank. “The rooftop solar installation will help us meet our carbon emission reduction goals, offset utility costs and provide an...

AMSTERDAM—More than half (52 percent) of all global travelers report that they are likely to choose a destination based on its social or environmental impact in 2015. Findings from a survey of 32,000 travelers across 16 countries by Booking.com reveal that attitudes towards sustainable travel are evolving.While only 10 percent of respondents took a traditional sustainable trip in 2014 (defined as an eco-tour, a volunteering trip, a farm stay, a camping trip or a trip to learn about new cultures), this year will see the majority of global travelers being influenced by an intention to reduce their environmental impact,...

ATLANTA—The Green Meeting Industry Council Sustainable Meetings Conference wrapped up in Atlanta last week. The annual event, which drew approximately 200 attendees, was held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Highlights included keynote speeches by Laura Turner Seydel, daughter of Ted Turner and chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation, and Derreck Kayongo, founder of the Global Soap Project. Additional highlights included educational session discussions on topics ranging from the APEX/ASTM meeting standards to best practices at green hotels and venues.Seydel kicked off the event by addressing some of the topics she is most passionate about. Environmental education for children and...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—Commercial plumbing and foodservice products manufacturer T&S Brass and Bronze Works has redesigned and expanded its website to provide more detailed product information for its customers and a more comprehensive, user-friendly experience.“We’ve been eager to do a redesign for some time now,” says E-Marketing Manager Patti Bishop, “but we wanted it to coincide with several other technology upgrades. Data now pulls directly from our ERP system to provide the most current product information available, and the site uploads easily and quickly to all mobile devices. Our users in the field will greatly benefit from the responsiveness of...

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—From fostering orphaned wildlife in the general manager’s private pool to diverting 750 pounds of raw food waste daily to a local hog farmer, Velas Vallarta is committed to environmental sustainability. So, in response to guest interest, Mexico’s Velas Vallarta has launched new complimentary tours showcasing the resort’s relationship with local ecology.“We are certified with EarthCheck and also with TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program,” said Donald Willis, Assistant Manager of Operations. “TripAdvisor developed the GreenLeaders program with help from national and international green industry experts including the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification Program and the United Nations Environment...

SINGAPORE—Hilton Worldwide announced that it will reduce the environmental impact of meetings and events held at more than 90 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific through an expanded carbon emissions solution, the Clean Air Program. Starting on May 1, meeting planners and delegates have been able to play their part in reducing carbon emissions and deliver more sustainable experiences to their customers.When customers choose any of Hilton’s participating hotels as meeting venues, the Clean Air Program will provide a calculation of the carbon emissions of the event at no cost to the customers. Hilton will then purchase the equivalent...