LONDON—Many certification schemes which supposedly help consumers make environmentally friendly decisions are standing in the way of greater sustainability and should undergo serious reform, according to a new report. The findings come in new research from the Changing Markets Foundation, which investigated whether voluntary certification schemes for seafood, textiles and palm oil are accurately guiding consumers towards sustainable products. In the clear majority of cases, the evidence of schemes’ benefits was lacking, while the report revealed many cases in which they provided cover for companies that are destroying the environment. “Certification schemes are failing the environment and consumers, who increasingly want...

BOSTON—Executives from Omni Hotels & Resorts along with Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and New Boston Hospitality, broke ground on the highly anticipated Omni Boston Seaport Hotel. The city’s fourth largest hotel will reflect the rich history of the city of Boston. “This project’s hotel, retail, restaurant and outdoor space is a welcome addition to Boston’s Seaport District and will lead to expanded economic opportunities for many businesses within the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration looks forward to continuing to work together with partners at the local level and in the...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has achieved carbon neutrality in its commercial carpet manufacturing operations. The achievement encompasses all commercial carpet manufacturing facilities that Shaw owns and operates globally, including those for Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw Contract and STS. “At Shaw, we believe in creating a better future,” says Tim Conway, Vice President of Sustainability for Shaw’s commercial division. “We understand the challenges of climate change are global in scale and require a global response. No one company can solve problems at this scale by itself, but we can each contribute to an effort that enables all of us to...

In some ways Wynn Resorts has not had a very good year (see article regarding Steve Wynn and his resignation) but the company’s just released 2017 Global Sustainability Report shows the company is stepping up its commitment to responsible business practices. Matt Maddox, CEO of Wynn Resorts, in his introduction to the report, says, “Last year, Wynn Resorts moved into a leadership position in environmental stewardship. In the past 12 months, the company invested more than $12 million in renewable energy resources through solar installations at our Las Vegas resort and in Northern Nevada at the Wynn Solar Facility that...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton today announced it will cut its environmental footprint in half and double its social impact investment by 2030. With this commitment, Hilton will become the first major hotel company to institute science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions and send zero soap to landfill. The company will also double the amount it spends with local and minority-owned suppliers and double its investment in programs to help women and youth around the world. These goals are part of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose corporate responsibility strategy to further the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. New consumer research reaffirms Hilton’s corporate responsibility strategy....

PULASKI, N.Y.—Founded in 2003 PURE is the global leading provider of healthy indoor spaces. PURE has partnered with industry leaders in hospitality, maritime, fitness, scholastic, office and residential applications in over 15 countries. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) is a nonprofit organization, with a “mission to empower wellness worldwide by educating public and private sectors about preventative health and wellness.” Each year at the Global Wellness Summit, the GWI identifies new trends that will shape the future of the wellness industry. With technology changing how people travel, and what guests demand, hotels are seeking for ways to evolve. The PURE program...

DALLAS—Informa Exhibitions U.S. and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the release of the 2017 Greenbuild Sustainability Report, highlighting valuable metrics and key benchmarks regarding the impact on energy use and waste management at the 2017 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, held last November at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Greenbuild co-located its event with the ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX). “We’re thrilled to have partnered with ABX, and together we exceeded not only last year’s diversion rate, but all previous Greenbuild diversion rates, which is a huge accomplishment for Greenbuild and the events industry,” said Lindsay Roberts, Greenbuild and...

RALEIGH, N.C.—Welcome Holdings, a Cary, N.C.-based real estate and hospitality development and operation group, announces the launch of Revisn—Raleigh. Opening in September 2018 at 615 North Boylan Street in downtown Raleigh, Revisn combines the comforts of luxury apartment living with the services and amenities of a high-end hotel for extended stay guests. Comprised of one and two-bedroom residences with flexible reservation options of 30 days or more, Revisn is tailored to long-term corporate, education and government travel. “Temporary residence options nationwide, but particularly in the Triangle, have been a hodgepodge of long-lease apartments, hotels more suited for short-term stays, and...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville Inc. has announced its newest tile collection, Retro Active 2.0, is a recipient of the prestigious Living Product Challenge Petal Certifications in three categories: place, water, and beauty. The Living Product Challenge is a recognition program of the International Living Future Institute. Crossville is the first tile company to be certified by the Living Product Challenge. The Living Product Challenge is organized in seven performance areas, known as Petals, with each area consisting of detailed requirements. Retro Active 2.0 was recognized in the following: Place Petal—2/2 for meeting requirements that included responsible place and habitat impacts; Water Petal—1/1...

NEW YORK—The Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) recently issued its Sustainability Awards in Partnership with NYIT College Hospitality Studies. The following won 2018 awards: Environmental Protection Award—Hotel with Under 250 Rooms, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge; Sustainability Strategy Award—Hotel with Under 250 Rooms, Hyatt Union Square; Environmental Protection Award—Hotel with Over 250 Rooms; InterContinental New York Times Square; Sustainability Strategy Award—Hotel with Over 250 Rooms, The Westin New York at Times Square; and Sustainable Innovation and Leadership Award, InterContinental New York Barclay. The HANYC Sustainability Awards annually recognize and honor member hotels that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the promotion...