LAS VEGAS—Advancements in corporate social responsibility for MGM Resorts International are chronicled in its first consolidated Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Themed “Inspiring Our World,” the report reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to inspiring responsible behavior in Diversity & Inclusion, Philanthropy & Community Engagement, and Environmental Responsibility & Sustainability.“We’re committed to excellence and continuous improvement,” said Jim Murren, chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Our social responsibility imperatives are helping to drive innovation and competitive differentiation throughout our organization. Environmental responsibility is a priority at all levels.”Newsweek Magazine recently ranked MGM Resorts as the most “green” resort and casino...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Sustainability initiatives are playing an increasingly important factor in managed travel programs, according to new research released by the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). In conjunction with the regional GBTA Sustainability Committees, travel managers in the United States, Europe and Australia were surveyed for their opinions on sustainability or “green” efforts when it comes to their business travel programs.The study revealed companies are focusing on sustainability measures that can generate savings for companies, influence traveler behavior to make better decisions and are looking to establish relationships with green-friendly suppliers....

SAN DIEGO—HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, a leading supplier of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products, has released its first comprehensive sustainability catalog, showcasing items from its expansive line of more than 1,600 ideallygreen products. Customers will find a wide selection of products designed to improve their properties’ water conservation, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, waste reduction and hazardous material disposal. “HD Supply is a one-stop shop for environmentally preferable products and practices, and this comprehensive catalog makes it even easier to purchase green products that make environmental and economical sense,” said Evan Matzen, sustainability manager at HD Supply Facilities Maintenance....

BARAHONA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC—What was once a family retreat for the Schiffino family, Casa Bonita Lodge is making its mark as one of the most sustainable destinations in the Caribbean. Set on 160 acres of unspoiled land in the Dominican Republic’s Barahuco Mountains, the lodge is partially powered by a 6.5-kilowatt hydroelectric generator situated on the Riosito River. The generator meets 30 percent of the 14-villa lodge’s electricity needs. According to Sandra Beltran, vice president of sales and marketing for Prohotel International, the company that manages the lodge, the goal is to upgrade the hydro plant so that it supplies...

Ashley Halligan, an analyst who regularly reports on sustainability issues, recently published an article defining and breaking down the idea of net zero building. Beginning with an agreed-upon definition from experts she interviewed, she explains, "Net zero indicates that a building has generated at least as much power as it has consumed over a 12-month benchmarking period--which allows for seasonality to be factored into the measurement." She interviewed several experts including, Brian Anderson, Founding Partner of Anderson Porter Design, Dru B. Crawley, former Commercial Buildings Team Lead for the Department of Energy and current Director of Building Performance at Bentley Systems,...

LAS VEGAS—For the second consecutive year, Caesars Entertainment Corp. is sponsoring Dartmouth College’s Big Green Bus tour across America. The converted Greyhound bus, operated by students, will run on recycled waste vegetable oil (WVO) as it travels the country educating individuals on best sustainability practices. The 11-week, 12,000-mile journey will take the 13 students across 24 states and will make refueling stops at Caesars resorts including Harrah’s Cherokee Casino (June 26), Harrah’s Tunica Casino (July 1), Harrah’s New Orleans Casino (July 3), Harrah’s Phoenix Ak-Chin Casino (July 14), Flamingo Las Vegas (July 19), Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Casino (July 24),...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of a new range of reclaimed old-growth Douglas-fir flooring, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. Available in four varieties—nail-edge, mixed-grain, vertical (VG) and rustic—Viridian’s Doug-fir collection is reclaimed from beams salvaged from abandoned warehouses, docks and old gymnasiums, among other sources, and is derived from some of the company’s most mature raw-material sources.“This old-growth Doug-fir is in a class by itself, with very tight grain—new lumber cannot compare,” Mitchoff said. “Even our mixed-grain Doug-fir gets mistaken for what passes for today’s vertical-grain. Architects and designers who want the old-growth look but demand...

NATIONAL REPORT—As posted on Green Lodging News last week, the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with 23 leading global hospitality companies, launched a methodology to calculate and communicate the carbon footprint of hotel stays and meetings in a consistent and transparent way. The methodology, called “HCMI 1.0,” is expected to be primarily used by the meetings industry, according to Christopher Brophy, vice president-corporate sustainability, MGM Resorts International.Not included in the announcement about HCMI 1.0 was the methodology itself.“Anyone who wants the methodology can currently request it through either the World...

RIO DE JANEIRO—At the RIO+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Marriott International, Inc. and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) announced a partnership to support new environmentally-sustainable hotel development in growth markets in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The partnership stands to generate millions of dollars in OPIC financing for Marriott hotel projects internationally, demonstrating a shared commitment to the environment and investment in these emerging economies. According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently concluded between the two parties, OPIC will make long-term loans to the third-party owners of the hotels,...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The GBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), announced the expansion of Project ICARUS, the first global travel management sustainability body, representing the interests of the global travel and meetings industry. Project ICARUS will include recognition and awards programs highlighting leading organizations in sustainability and a Global Advisory board with representatives from buyers, suppliers, academics and subject matter experts from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America to provide expertise, leadership and guidance on sustainability.“Sustainability is an issue of strategic importance for corporations and organizations in the business travel...