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Sustainability

According to a report issued by the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Got a great idea about how to turn green into gold? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Sustainability

Home Sustainability
According to a report issued by the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Got a great idea about how to turn green into gold? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Photovoltaic Project Nears Completion at Fairmont Kea Lani

WAILEA (MAUI) HAWAII—Fairmont Kea Lani’s commitment to responsible tourism practices and sustainable hotel management will take another leap forward next month with the completion of a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) project. The Fairmont Kea Lani’s latest sustainability project includes the installation of 1,528 rooftop PV solar panels. The 500 kilowatt solar installation is expected to offset more than 10 percent of the resort’s current energy demand and reduce CO2e emissions by 457 metric tons of CO2e annually. This reduction in CO2e emissions is the equivalent of 96 passenger cars or 138 homes.“At the Fairmont Kea Lani we are committed to...

DoubleTree by Hilton Celebrates National Pay it Forward Day

MCLEAN, VA.—DoubleTree by Hilton, one of Hilton Worldwide’s 13 brands, celebrated National Pay it Forward Day last week with the launch of “Nice Travels,” an integrated, multichannel movement driving random acts of kindness to prove that “nice” is contagious. The idea behind “Nice Travels” is that when a guest stays with DoubleTree by Hilton, “nice” stays with them, starting with the warm chocolate chip cookie welcome that each guest receives.To spread this simple, yet powerful, idea across the globe and prove that nice does travel, DoubleTree by Hilton will identify, share and reward niceness through innovative, real-time social listening;...

Interface Now Operating On 96 Percent Renewable Energy

ATLANTA—Interface, the world’s largest commercial modular carpet company and a sustainable business pioneer, announced a significant milestone in the company’s Mission Zero journey: the Interface Americas manufacturing sites now operate using 96 percent renewable energy, bringing the company’s global renewable energy usage to 84 percent. This milestone is being achieved with the addition of directed biogas to meet the thermal energy needs of the company’s flagship operations in Troup County, Ga.“Getting our factories in Americas to near 100 percent in renewable energy is a significant achievement—one that is a first for our industry and likely for industry in general,”...

Booking.com Releases Findings from Sustainable Travel Report

NEW YORK—In celebration of Earth Day 2016, Booking.com revealed findings from its global Sustainable Travel Report, identifying what the term “sustainable travel” means to consumers, how sustainable accommodations are viewed, and what the future holds for eco-conscious travelers.Nearly half (47 percent) of American respondents said they consider themselves to be sustainable travelers, rising to 72 percent amongst Chinese respondents and dropping to 25 percent amongst the Japanese, with findings showing a wide spectrum when it comes to what people understand “sustainable travel” to mean. More than half (58 percent) of Americans consider the act of staying in eco-friendly accommodations...

MGM Named Among Top Companies for Diversity

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International ranked fifth on the “Top 10 Regional Companies” list for diversity best practices, according to DiversityInc, one of the nation’s leading sources on workplace diversity management. This year marks the 11th consecutive year MGM Resorts has been recognized for its Diversity and Inclusion Initiative by DiversityInc, which ranks companies based on the results of an annual survey.“It’s clear that corporate America understands how diversity and inclusion strengthens everything from recruiting and retention to overall business success,” said Luke Visconti, DiversityInc’s Founder and CEO. “We saw more than 1,000 companies submitting for contention on the list....

JUST Water Bottle Now Includes Plant-Based Packaging

GLENS FALLS, N.Y.—JUST water, an ethically sourced 100 percent spring water in a paper-based bottle, announced a new, plant-based bottle. Kicking off production on April 22, the JUST water bottle is now made with 82 percent renewable resources that come directly from plant-based materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 74 percent compared to a range of PET plastic bottles.“Our mission from the onset was to deliver a product that is responsibly sourced, and packaged for environmental and social impact, while holding ourselves to the goal of continuous improvement,” said Grace Jeon, JUST CEO. “It’s taken quite a...

More Than 1,100 Bird Sightings, 17 Bird Species Observed on Javits Center’s Green Roof in 2015

NEW YORK—New York Convention Center Operating Corp. (NYCCOC) President and CEO Alan Steel announced the results of a new study that shows more than 1,100 cumulative bird observations on the Javits Center’s green roof in 2015. Of the 1,124 bird sightings during the ecological study, 17 bird species were found, six more compared to the previous year. The green roof remains the only green roof in New York City with a colony of nesting Herring Gulls, which produced 14 chicks in 2015. The diversity of bird species using the roof from spring to fall demonstrates the importance of the...

World Animal Protection: TripAdvisor ‘Profiting’ from Wildlife Tourist Attractions

NEW YORK—TripAdvisor is promoting and profiting from some of the world’s cruelest wildlife tourist attractions, says global animal welfare organization World Animal Protection. World Animal Protection estimates that at least 550,000 wild animals are suffering at the hands of irresponsible wildlife tourist attractions around the world, many of which are promoted and sold via TripAdvisor to its 300 million visitors each month. Tourists who are buying tickets to ride elephants, handle sea turtles, watch dolphin performances, and take lion and tiger “selfies”, via the world’s largest travel site, are usually unaware of the abuse and suffering the animals experience...

What Makes a Floorcovering Sustainable?

In today’s marketplace, there is a plethora of product certifications, labels and declarations that manufacturers and builders use to communicate a product’s value to clients. However, owners, product specifiers and building occupants all have different interests and motivations. Just as each person’s background and experience varies, so do their beliefs when it comes to sustainability. The good news? Studies show we are all becoming more aware of and concerned with issues surrounding social and environmental health and sustainability. Making use of product labels, including declarations and certifications, is one way to make more informed choices; however, deciphering the claims...

Las Vegas Sands Marks the Success of Its ‘I Will If You Will’ Campaign

LAS VEGAS—In celebration of Earth Day, Las Vegas Sands announced that more than 26,000 individual green actions were completed by its team members during the company’s annual “I Will If You Will” (IWIYW) global challenge. Initiated by Sands ECO360, Las Vegas Sands’ global sustainability program during the week leading up to Earth Hour on March 19, the challenge encouraged the company’s team members to take action to reduce their impact on climate change.“I am extremely proud of the participation we had from our team members this year,” said Katarina Tesarova, Vice President of Global Sustainability for Las Vegas Sands....