CHICAGO—Nucraft Furniture Co., known for its meticulously crafted office furniture, announced that its Flow XT Conference Table has received the first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in the North American furniture industry, independently certified by SCS Global Services (SCS). The EPD is a transparent disclosure of environmental performance based on lifecycle assessment (LCA). “Nucraft has a longstanding commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by our selection of furniture construction materials and our many certifications,” said Bob Bockheim, Nucraft president. “We are pleased to be able to provide even greater environmental transparency to our customers through this new Environmental Product Declaration.” EPDs are increasingly...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS) has issued the first gold-level certification to Designtex, a Steelcase Company, under the facts ecolabel developed by the Association for Contract Textiles (ACT). The certification recognizes Designtex’s “Gold Standard” textiles collection—including its Concept, Precision, and Pop Art styles—as meeting stringent criteria for environmental sustainability from the fiber stage to end-of-use.“This certification confirms Designtex’s commitment to environmental excellence,” said Stowe Beam, managing director of SCS Environmental Certification Services division. “Its precedent-setting gold-level certification is a valuable example for other textile companies to follow.”According to Beam, the facts ecolabel is issued only after companies demonstrate that...

LONDON—The International Tourism Partnership and Greenview seek hoteliers’ views and perspectives on sustainable supply chain management. Earlier this year, ITP’s supply chain working group performed a high level risk mapping exercise of the supply chain in order to inform the future direction of the group’s activities. Weighing various criteria of spend, risk, impact and the likelihood of success, it gave a strong steer to the group where the opportunities for collaboration lay.In the next phase of its supply chain work, ITP has teamed up with Greenview to create a common framework for the hotel industry to discuss and approach...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown will hold its fourth annual Sustainability Fair (formerly Green Fair) on Friday, August 16h from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the hotel’s Colonnade Room. The event will showcases the eco, health and safety efforts of many D.C.-based organizations as well as the hotel’s own sustainability program.The following organizations will be represented: Balance Gym, Better bodies by Bethany, CarsToGo, ChemSearch, Dietztogo, District of Columbia Department of the Environment, District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), Eco-Artware, Fairmont Pittsburgh (LEED Gold Certified), Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown’s Beekeepers, KEYS for the Homeless, KARMA by Erwin...

YARDLEY, PA.—Lodging Media, the publisher of Lodging Magazine, will host the Lodging Green & Sustainability Conference & Expo to educate hotel owners, senior executives, general managers and facility managers on ways to make their hotel operations more sustainable on October 1 to 3, 2013 at the Omni Dallas. A discounted rate of $395 is available for conference attendees who register before August 30, 2013.The conference will host more than 60 distinguished panelists and speakers, including hoteliers, business leaders, consultants, investors, and policymakers. The opening keynote speaker for the event is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as senior attorney...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Global nonprofit Sustainable Travel International recently announced the launch of its Sustainable Destination Leadership Network (SDLN). The SDLN is the world’s first collaboration of its kind for decision makers from tourism authorities. The network brings together forward-thinking tourism destinations committed to meaningful exchange that advances good tourism, which preserves sense of place and ensures long-term prosperity.“Innovation Norway is proud to support the Sustainable Destination Leadership Network,” said Innovation Norway’s Ingunn Sørnes. “It is a perfect opportunity for destinations to advance the sustainability dialogue, to collaborate with peers on the international stage, and to make a difference. Innovation Norway...

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA—Karen and John Lewis, the visionary founders of Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica, recently celebrated the realization of a conservation dream that will result in the permanent protection of more than 900 acres of virgin rainforest in the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biologically rich regions in Central America.Twenty-plus years ago the two liquidated their assets in Minnesota to finance the purchase and preservation of 1,040 acres of virgin rainforest in Costa Rica and to build a small, supporting ecotourism project. Post university, they had both worked for the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya,...

BETHESDA, MD.—As Marriott International, Inc. grows beyond its current global footprint of more than 3,800 hotels in more than 70 countries, the company is focusing on development which will provide sustainable economic activity and local employment. In coming years, more than half of Marriott’s new hotels will be located in emerging markets where tourism is a major driver of new jobs and economic development. In its just-released 2013 Sustainability Report Update, which updates the company’s 2011-2012 Sustainability Report, Marriott noted substantial progress in job creation in underserved and emerging markets.Two major sustainable development projects include Marriott’s first hotel in...

SAN FRANCISCO—MindClick Global, a leader in supply chain sustainability performance and sourcing solutions, announced that Marriott International is ahead of its sustainable sourcing goals for 2013. In 2012, Marriott committed to spend 75 percent of its 2013 furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) budget with suppliers who are part of the MindClick Hospitality Index for Sustainable Sourcing (HSP Index). As of June 15, 2013, Marriott has reached 60 percent of its goal.“With over 30 participating suppliers representing 20 product categories ranging from bath fixtures to seating, carpets to casegoods, fabrics to mattresses, lighting to mirrors, and more, we are very...

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Association has launched a new report focused on sustainability best practices for the foodservice industry. Created by the NRA’s Conserve sustainability program team, the report, “Bright Ideas: Sustainability Tips from Industry Experts,” features tips, trends and real-world advice from industry experts who appeared at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago.“For restaurateurs, implementing sustainable best practices into their operations is more popular than ever before,” said Scott DeFife, the NRA’s executive vice president of policy and government affairs. “We want to make that implementation as successful and cost effective as possible, which is...