NATIONAL REPORT—From an industry penetration standpoint, mattress encasements are still in their “infancy stage,” says Sandy DiVito, vice president Hospitality & Healthcare for Protect-A-Bed. Increasingly, however, lodging establishments are using encasements to extend the life of their mattresses, keeping them out of the landfill and ready for the day when they can either be donated or recycled. From a sustainability standpoint, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to encasements. Encasements reduce the need to clean or treat mattresses, which is often done with toxic chemicals. A reduced need to clean means less labor and less...

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The Green Hotel Pilot Program, funded by the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I), was created in order to engage New York State’s lodging properties and understand key environmental challenges affecting this industry. The goal of the program was to assist lodging properties in reducing their environmental footprint while saving operating costs as well as increase revenue by attracting environmentally conscious tourists. In addition, those participating in the certification process would have the opportunity to increase the number of certified green hotels in New York and be featured in green tourism marketing.In the spring of 2009 in...

ST. JOHN, U.S.V.I.—Eco Serendib Villa and Spa, a new eco-friendly, luxury retreat on U.S. Virgin Islands’ St. John, has initiated a conservation program in partnership with the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park to save the island’s pristine beaches from the devastating impact of erosion while reducing the property’s carbon footprint. The Eco Serendib Beach Restoration Project will re-introduce indigenous trees and shrubs, such as sea grape, at beaches throughout the island and is funded by Eco Serendib Villa and Spa. In addition to providing seed money to kick start the program, the Restoration Project will sponsor one...

FRANKFURT, GERMANY—Worldhotels, one of the leading groups of independent upscale hotels, has launched a new Worldhotels Sustainability Program aimed at assisting affiliate hotels to increase efficiency through sustainability. The initiative includes the publication of a group-wide Sustainability Policy, as well as the introduction of resources and tools to assist hotels in their individual efforts towards sustainability. In November 2011 Worldhotels undertook an extensive survey of its affiliate properties, which now number nearly 500 across the globe, on their current engagement in sustainability initiatives. All regarded corporate social responsibility as important, while 85 percent reported that their corporate clients now...

LAS VEGAS—Caesars Entertainment’s 2010-2011 Sustainability Report covers calendar 2010 and the first half of 2011. It is the company’s second such report. One report highlight is an updated CodeGreen (environmental) strategy that produced new two- to five-year targets for energy conservation, renewables, water consumption, waste diversion, supply chain, and guest and employee perceptions of Caesars’ CodeGreen performance. Other highlights: • On track to meet 2010 target to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 10 percent from 2007 to 2013. • Created Green Meetings & Events certificate program, graduating more than 200 managers. • Joined and played active role in UN Global Sustainability...

LAGRANGE, GA.—InterfaceFLOR has chalked up another sustainability first, continuing its legacy of leadership in the contract furnishings industry. The global manufacturer of modular carpet tile has aligned with “Architecture 2030” and is the first manufacturer to adopt the nonprofit organization’s 2030 Challenge for Products. The 2030 Challenge for Products initiative calls on the architecture, planning, design and building communities worldwide to specify, design and manufacture products that will meet a carbon footprint of 30 percent below the product average through 2014, and subsequently improve on this reduction: 35 percent in 2015; 40 percent in 2020; 45 percent in 2025;...

LOS ANGELES—MindClick SGM announced that Fairmont Designs, a leader in sustainable custom contact furnishings for the hospitality industry, has joined the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium as a Contributing Member. Specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of furnishings, case goods and seating to the contract market, Fairmont Designs has a longstanding commitment to defining business success by not only delivering comfort and style through its products—but also by advancing environmental well-being in the communities it serves. Its membership in the Consortium moves further toward establishing the new Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSP Index) as the industry resource for sustainable...

SANTA ROSA, CALIF.—The recently renovated Best Western Plus Wine Country Inn & Suites 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 Todd Anderson, general manager of Best Western Plus Wine Country Inn & Suites. “It’s a meaningful and effective way of demonstrating our concern for the environment.”Under the program, Best Western Plus Wine Country Inn & Suites will collect two dollars per night from hotel...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announces that Amadeus, Melia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Sabre Holdings and TUI Travel are among the first group of global travel and tourism corporations to publicly commit to promoting sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. Each of these companies has committed to using the GSTC Criteria—a global framework for defining a sustainable travel benchmark—as the reference for sustainable travel.The objective of the program is to recognize and reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers. The commitment from these organizations demonstrates their...

ROSWELL, GA.—Kimberly-Clark Professional has received the 2011 Sustainability Award from Marriott International and is the first product supplier to receive the prestigious award, which recognizes organizations that help Marriott reach its environmental sustainability goals worldwide. “We are proud to partner with suppliers that share the same values as we do, particularly those like Kimberly-Clark Professional that support our more than 20-year commitment to conservation and preservation,” said John Adams, senior vice president—Global Operations Services, Marriott International. “With the increase in global travel, we have a responsibility to ease our business impact on our natural environment. Working in partnership with our...