CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Preserve as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Made with recycled yogurt cups, Preserve’s toothbrushes and razors are a colorful, eco-friendly choice for guests. All of the company’s products are made in the United States from 100 percent recycled plastic, and recyclable through municipal recycling where #5 plastic is accepted or through Preserve’s Gimme 5 retail-based and mail-in recycling program. Learn more by going to www.preserveproducts.com, or contacting sales@preserveproducts.com or (781) 893-2204, ext. 109.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Assn. announced the release of its first-ever sustainability report, which looks at environmentally stable trends and initiatives within the restaurant industry, such as food waste reduction, composting, recycling and cost-efficient energy solutions.“Sustainability and waste reduction are increasingly important issues across the restaurant and foodservice industry,” said Scott DeFife, Executive Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, National Restaurant Association. “We have seen incorporation of eco-friendly business practices from large chains to independent operators, as well as manufacturers and other supply chain partners. The National Restaurant Association is working to ensure operators have access to the education,...

CHICAGO—Kendall College School of Hospitality Management, ranked the No. 1 program in Chicago for preparing students for hospitality careers, has released its first-ever trends outlook for the hospitality industry in 2014. 1. Global Going Strong: International Knowledge in Demand According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the travel and tourism industry is currently among the largest and fastest-growing industries worldwide, forecasted to support 328 million jobs, or 10 percent of the workforce, by 2022. A top 10 industry in the United States, travel and tourism provides one out of eight jobs, with that number increasing at an exponential rate, adding...

ORANJESTAD, ST. EUSTATIUS—The head of the Caribbean region’s tourism development agency has called for legislation to regulate the disposal of waste in Caribbean waters. Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2nd Sustainable Conference in St. Eustatius last month, Hugh Riley, the secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), said the Caribbean had a responsibility to protect and preserve its water resources.The two day conference, organized by the St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation with support from the CTO, had as its theme, “Tourism and Water: Protecting Our Common Future.”Reflecting on the theme, Riley reminded delegates, including...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—The Best Western Plus Chateau Granville, located in downtown Vancouver’s newly revitalized Granville area, 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 Anastasios Theodoropoulos, general manager of Best Western Plus Chateau Granville. “It’s a meaningful and effective way of demonstrating our concern for the environment.”Under the program Best Western Plus Chateau Granville will collect $2 per night from hotel guests. Funds will be used...

ATLANTA—The Acuity Brands, Inc. Carlisle, Penn. manufacturing and distribution center has achieved zero landfill status, as certified by Link International, a California-based full-service waste and recyclable commodities company. This is the second Acuity Brands manufacturing and distribution site to operate as a zero landfill plant. Waste generated by the Carlisle plant is now recycled or composted.“We are thrilled to implement the zero landfill process at a second site within our plant facilities network,” said Derek Nelson, Vice President, Northeast Operations at Acuity Brands Lighting. “As a manufacturer of products that help reduce energy waste, it is important to us...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, announced it has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the first time. The company is one of three hospitality companies, and the only one in North America, recognized in the hotels, resorts and cruise line segment.The S&P Dow Jones Indices are one of the most recognized sustainability performance rating tools, with the Sustainability Index identifying leaders in the areas of sustainable economic, environmental and social performance. Companies listed to the annual Index demonstrate best-in-class performance against numerous metrics. Wyndham Worldwide was recognized in particular...

DALLAS—Approximately 185 people, including hoteliers, exhibitors, speakers and others, attended the first annual Lodging Green + Sustainability Conference & Expo. The event, organized by Lodging Magazine, was held at the LEED Gold certified Omni Dallas Hotel from October 1 to 3. The conference offered many educational and networking opportunities with highlights including a tour of the 1,001-room host hotel and a keynote presentation by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.James Cannon, Director of Engineering at the Omni Dallas, toured attendees through guestrooms and back of house areas, pointing out the ways in which the $500 million hotel is saving energy, water...

LONDON—IHG plc. (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s largest hotel companies, announced a series of new corporate responsibility (CR) targets for 2013 to 2017. The new targets will continue to focus on driving impact through IHG’s three core CR Programs—IHG Green Engage, IHG Shelter in a Storm Program and IHG Academy—and will see IHG track and report supply chain diversity and integrate CR criteria into the selection and evaluation process for all preferred suppliers. IHG has also published an update on progress made against previous targets, as well as its 2010 to 2012 carbon footprint results.IHG Green Engage...

NOTTINGHAM, PA.—Zandur has relaunched its Cork Rubber Flooring under the Sustain brand name. The new color line features extensive options in cool and warm neutrals as well as brighter primaries. This updated pallet coordinates with current trends in wall coverings, fixtures and other flooring materials. Along with the updated color line, Sustain’s best-in-class slip resistance, low intensity maintenance and underfoot comfort make it a natural choice for commercial facilities that are looking for a safer product that is more durable and contains more recycled content than most other resilient products today.  Sustain Cork Rubber is made from more than 65...