Green Spa Network Vital People. Vital Planet. GSN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability in and through the spa and wellness industry. Their mission is to promote the vital connections between personal well-being, economic sustainability and the health of our planet. Through networking, education, and innovative best practices developed with its membership of innovative companies, GSN is setting the standard for social and environmental sustainability in the industry. For more information, visit http://www.greenspanetwork.org or call (800) 275-3045. Green Spa Network » Email for Details »     Sustainable Events Network, Florida & Caribbean For Venues in Florida & the Caribbean The Sustainable Events Network, Florida &...

NEW YORK—Mission-driven luxury hotel brand, 1 Hotels, and leading lifestyle media company, mindbodygreen, partnered to celebrate the hotel’s grand opening on Earth Day, April 22, with a free public mindfulness event at 1 Hotels’ newest property in Brooklyn Heights. The partnership saw a headline Earth Day event take place at 1 Hotels’ flagship property 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, with supporting satellite activations at other 1 Hotel locations including Central Park, New York and South Beach, Miami. “Every year, the world pays tribute to our planet on Earth Day, utilizing it as an effective advocacy vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment,...

DUNSTABLE, ENGLAND—Since April 1, all Whitbread brands, including Costa Coffee and Premier Inn, have been sourcing their purchased electricity in the United Kingdom from renewable sources. The decision means that the energy used to power 68,000 Premier Inn rooms and 2,200 Costa Coffee stores across the United Kingdom, is now coming from 100 percent renewable sources. “As the U.K.’s largest hospitality brand, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to drive change within the industry which is why we have made this decision for the business,” said James Pitcher, Director of Sustainability for Whitbread. “Whitbread is committed to minimizing its...

ATLANTA—UPS announced it will deploy a prototype extended range Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) in its Rolling Laboratory fleet of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. UPS is working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other partners to design a first-of-its-kind, zero tailpipe emissions, Class 6 medium-duty delivery truck that meets the same route and range requirements of UPS’s existing conventional fuel vehicles. Unlike fuel cell auxiliary power units, this vehicle will use the onboard fuel cell to generate electricity to propel the vehicle. This project is an important step toward demonstrating the commercial viability of zero tailpipe...

Name: Brian Bruno Title: Vice President of Content and Brand Marketing for RCI and head of the Wyndham Destination Network sustainability program Company: RCI Years with company: 11 Primary responsibilities: Bruno, in his 12th year with RCI, is responsible for producing RCI’s member and affiliate magazines and other travel content. He is also responsible for sharing brand standards around the globe. In addition to these responsibilities, he is the RCI representative for sustainability practices and green initiatives globally for Wyndham Destination Network. Company’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: RCI’s Indianapolis location, in 2014, earned the Energy Star designation. Company’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: Wyndham...

OJAI, CALIF.—Southern California escape Ojai Valley Inn & Spa announced it will become free of single-use plastic items throughout Spa Ojai, its award-winning 30,000 square foot spa. The innovative movement replaces traditional spa amenities with eco-friendly, reusable versions and establishes a new benchmark in the luxury spa space. Stemming from the realization that in 2016 Spa Ojai guests discarded 24,000 plastic snack cups and 107,120 plastic water cups after each use, Spa Director Kate Morrison sourced alternatives that both eliminate waste and support the complete luxury spa experience. As the concept of wellness continues to broaden into everyday life, the...

BETHLEHEM, PA.—Sands Bethlehem recently hosted its first Sustainable Foods Workshop in conjunction with Las Vegas Sands’ Global Sustainability Program. Six major food and beverage suppliers participated by discussing their company sustainability practices, while providing insight during a roundtable discussion on a myriad of sustainability topics, including trends they’re seeing and challenges they are experiencing. The suppliers were challenged to provide potential sustainable food options and to showcase them at the workshop. The participating suppliers consisted of US Foods, Sysco, Indian Ridge Provisions, Primo Produce, The Chefs Warehouse, and Samuel and Sons Seafood. The workshop began with introductions from George Nisiotis,...

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—Committed to sustainability, Boxed Water launches the third year of its ReTree project in partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF). Through the campaign, and in celebration of Earth Day, two trees will be planted for every social media post using the hashtag #ReTree beginning now through the end of July. ReTree is one of Boxed Water’s largest tree planting commitments with a five-year goal of planting one million trees in national forests across the country. “Our ReTree project is one way we can create an avenue for people to make a real difference through simple actions, just like...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—RCI, a global leader in vacation, announced the latest winners of the RCI Green Awards program. These awards recognize the most environmentally-conscious resorts within the company’s exchange network. The application process includes an audit of green practices in areas including energy and water conservation, waste management and community outreach. The evaluation process, winner selection and verification system was completed by third-party eco-certification expert GreenCircle Certified, LLC. “Hospitality properties have great potential—and great responsibility—to reduce the impact their operations have on the environment,” said Brian Bruno, Vice President of Content and Brand Marketing for RCI and head of the brand’s...

KELOWNA, B.C.—When the founder of British Columbia’s first all-electric taxi fleet was preparing the launch of his Tesla service, he knew exactly where he wanted to host the launch: outside the internationally recognized environmental award-winning green Kelowna hotel with Tesla Supercharger stations. “From Day 1, we really wanted to hold it here,” says Dale Conway, owner of Current Taxi, which transports passengers in its eco-friendly fleet of Tesla cars. “This Best Western has long been known for its sustainability and that’s what drew us to this hotel—for both the launch and our corporate office.” Current Taxi’s February launch event was attended...