STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced it has reduced energy use by 12.08 percent, carbon emissions by 16.07 percent and water use by 17.26 percent across all owned, managed and franchised properties from 2008 through 2014. The reductions stem from Starwood’s 30/20 by 20 environmental goals, launched in 2009, to cut energy use by 30 percent and water use by 20 percent by 2020 globally. In 2013, Starwood added a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent during the same timeframe.“We’re pleased with the progress and are encouraged by the reductions we made while maintaining an...

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIF.—Having achieved its initial goal of reinvigorating a historic property, the ownership group of Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort has retained Maxim Hotel Brokerage, Inc. to represent them in the sale of the asset. The iconic Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort located in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., is 15 minutes from the Palm Springs International Airport. Two Bunch Palms, the oldest hot mineral spa resort, is celebrating its 75-year anniversary by commissioning a 3.5-acre solar farm.The resort recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation to update and expand its rooms, restaurant, yoga, meeting facilities and IT infrastructure....

CABO ROJO, P.R.—Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s Executive Director, Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, along with the Paradores Owners Association President, Tomas Ramirez, announced the opening of 12 new EcoSuites at Parador Combate Beach at El Combate Beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. With this new expansion, the Parador will include a total of 48 guestrooms, in configurations to accommodate two to six people. This innovative expansion was completed with recycled materials and sustainable technologies and equipment designed to save energy. The total investment in this new project exceeds $275,000, creating 10 direct jobs and 15 indirect jobs during the construction...

HONOLULU—Governor David Ige’s signature earlier this week makes official a law that requires all of Hawaii’s electricity to be produced from renewable energy sources no later than 2045. Enactment of House Bill (HB) 623 makes Hawaii the first state in the nation to adopt a 100 percent renewable requirement, further solidifying Hawaii’s role as a global clean energy leader. “Hawaii is making history today, not only for the islands, but for the planet,” said Jeff Mikulina, Executive Director of the Blue Planet Foundation. “We are making a promise to future generations that their lives will be powered not by...

WALNUT CREEK, CALIF.—Bay Area Trash Compactor announced the installation of the first-of-its-kind combination solar powered trash compactor and portable cardboard baler at the LEED Platinum Certified Bardessono Hotel and Spa in Napa Valley. Completely off the grid, the solar powered compactor packs 16 yards of loose trash into just 4 yards, reducing waste pickup at the busy property to just once per week, thus slashing hauling costs by 50 percent, reducing CO2 emissions by over 14 tons annually, and importantly limiting garbage truck noise to guests and neighboring residents. The solar cardboard baler fits into a small space, yet...

WAIKIKI, HONOLULU, HAWAII—In conjunction with World Oceans Month, Outrigger Resorts has announced the launch of OZONE (Outrigger’s ZONE)—a global conservation initiative centered on coral health and resiliency in the waters surrounding the iconic beach destinations of Outrigger Resorts. With more than 60 percent of the world’s reefs under immediate threat, Outrigger is making it its mission to work with conservation partners to protect coral reef systems in tropical destinations around the world.Among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth, coral reefs provide humans with billions of dollars in economic and environmental services such as food, protection for coasts, and tourism....

URBANA, ILL.—The Ramada Urbana Champaign has officially joined the EcoStay program. EcoStay is a national initiative that helps hotels measure their carbon footprint, identify and fund reduction strategies and balance off their greenhouse gas emissions through carbon offsetting.“We’re very excited to be part of the EcoStay Program,” said Gregory Trainor, General Manager of Ramada Urbana Champaign. “We’ve been looking for a way for our hotel to make a difference and EcoStay has provided us with the tools and training to take the first step in that direction.”Under the program, the Ramada Urbana will collect two dollars per night from...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—Burt’s Bees Canada and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that they have expanded their WILD FOR BEES partnership by installing 16 uniquely built bee hotels across Canada, including three major bee hotels in downtown Vancouver. This brings the total number of hotels to 21 since the WILD FOR BEES partnership began in 2014.Important national partners on this project include Pollinator Partnership Canada and Sustainable.TO Architecture + Building (Sustainable.TO), a leading Canadian architecture firm. Sustainable.TO led the design and construction of the bee hotels nationwide, while Pollinator Partnership Canada provided strategic guidance and expertise on pollinator health. In Vancouver,...

MINNEAPOLIS—Radisson Blu Mall of America announced that it has officially become the first hotel in the metro Twin Cities area to house honey bee colonies from the University of Minnesota Bee Squad. As the first LEED certified hotel in the greater Twin Cities area, this further enhances the hotel’s commitment to the environment and sustainable programs.Without the pollinating services bees provide, there would be serious challenges in the production of many common foods as 35 percent of global food supply and more than 80 percent of flowering plants are dependent on animal pollination.Inspired by Dr. Marla Spivak at the...

PHILADELPHIA—Aramark, the $15 billion global provider of food, facilities management, and uniforms, recently announced a new set of animal welfare principles and purchasing commitments that address a broad spectrum of issues impacting the treatment of animals for egg, pork, veal, beef, poultry and dairy products served across Aramark’s U.S. operations.“Our commitments to health, wellness and sustainability are core to our mission of enriching and nourishing lives and include our pledge to responsible purchasing and animal welfare practices,” said Eric J. Foss, Aramark Chairman, President & CEO. “The broad reach of our supply chain provides an opportunity for us to...