GEORGETOWN, GUYANA—Trinidad and Tobago will host the next Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in 2013, the CTO has announced. In a symbolic passing of the “baton,” Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Tourism, Raye Sandy, received the CTO Sustainable Tourism Mahogany Scroll from Guyana’s Tourism Minister, the Honorable Irfaan Ali at the closing of STC-13 on April 18, confirming Trinidad and Tobago as host of the 14th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-14). “We are truly honored to host STC-14 in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Raye Sandy. “We look forward...

PARIS—With 40,000 new rooms created every year, Accor intends to combine development with growth that respects the environment and local communities, by involving all of its hotels and customers in a new sustainable development program—PLANET 21. The name is a direct reference to Agenda 21, the environmental action plan signed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and reminds one of the urgent concerns that face the planet in the 21st century and the need to change methods of production and consumption patterns to preserve human beings and eco-systems.With PLANET 21, Accor is making 21 commitments and the same...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of  “American Classics,” a new line of reclaimed red oak, white oak and rustic oak solid-plank hardwood flooring, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. Like Viridian’s other flooring lines, the oak is derived from industrial shipping crates. These domestic hardwoods are reclaimed from the southeastern United States and are milled in Portland, Ore.“This red and white oak provides a uniquely sustainable option for classic North American species, with a hint of character to let you know its reclaimed,” Mitchoff said. “And the rustic option provides a vintage look with saw marks, nail...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics announced that it has implemented UPS’ carbon neutral shipping program. In an effort to continuously reduce its effect on the environment, the company partnered with UPS to reduce its carbon dioxide (C02) impact while further demonstrating its commitment to a healthier planet.Valley Forge, the world’s largest supplier of decorative textiles to the hospitality industry, ships thousands of packages to customers across the globe every year. Shipping is one of the company’s largest emissions sources and makes up 95 percent of all the company’s greenhouse gases. Every package Valley Forge ships will now automatically include...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—Employees and corporate clients of all Belgian Carlson Rezidor hotels and the head office of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group have planted more than 1,700 trees in the Sonian forest near Brussels. Eighty volunteers joined the activity organized by Carlson Rezidor’s Responsible Business department.“We were celebrating the 10th year of our annual tree-planting,” said Gaston Gellens, district director Belgium and general manager of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Brussels. “It was great to welcome participants of all our Park Inn by Radisson and Radisson Blu hotels in the country.” On a strip prepared by Agentschap Natuur en Bos Vlaanderen...

MIDLAND, MICH.—Building insulation products from Dow Building Solutions have been recertified by the Cradle to Cradle Certified program, a well-known, multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s material content, recyclability and manufacturing characteristics. Originally certified in 2010 and recertified in 2011, after rigorous analysis in 2012, STYROFOAM Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation recertified at the SILVER level and THERMAX Insulation achieved BASIC recertification.“When evaluating sustainable building materials, Dow advocates taking a ‘holistic’ approach, and we feel the Cradle to Cradle Certified program provides a strong indication of a product’s comparative value when looking at energy efficient solutions and underscores...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International, an independent global organization that writes public health and environmental standards for the food, water and consumer goods industries, can now certify service providers in a multitude of industries to North America’s first sustainability assessment protocol—NSF P391: General Sustainability Assessment Criteria for Services and Service Providers. Organizations certified to the protocol will be able to differentiate their services and achieve preferred vendor status with companies and organizations seeking more sustainable operating solutions, including government agencies (local, state and federal) and others seeking to comply with U.S. Executive Order 13514. Developed through the NSF National Center for...

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MICH.—Signature Crypton Carpet, a brand that weaves together Crypton’s stain, liquid and odor-causing bacteria resistant fabrics and the design expertise of Signature Carpets, announces their latest venture in sustainable living and environmental preservation—the Yellowstone Collection. Signature Crypton Carpet has collaborated with the Yellow Stone Park Foundation, taking on all of the park’s discarded plastic bottles and turning them into carpet backings. This new line, known as the “Yellowstone Collection” will invest 50 cents of every square yard sold through it’s P2 program, back to The Yellowstone Park Foundation, to help preserve and protect one of America’s most pristine...

DELAVAN, WIS.—When the husband-and-wife team of Fritz Kreiss and Catherine McQueen learned that a two-lane highway adjacent to their five-acre property in Delavan, Wis. would be expanded to four lanes they could have tried to sell the land with their cottage on it. Instead, they decided to build perhaps North America’s greenest lodging establishment—the 19-suite Green Leaf Inn that will be a net zero energy property. Net zero energy properties generate more energy than they consume. The Green Leaf Inn is scheduled to open in the spring of next year.It is the owners’ intention for the inn to serve...

KAPAAU, HAWAII—Guests staying at the boutique-style Hawaii Island Retreat on Hawaii Island’s North Kohala coast can choose to stay in one of the Retreat’s nine lavishly appointed guestrooms or “rough” it a little bit and stay in one of the property’s seven well-appointed yurts. No matter what accommodations are chosen, guests have the satisfaction of knowing they are staying in a place that is off the grid—powered by the sun and wind.The Hawaii Island Retreat is nearing its third anniversary. It opened on April 1, 2009. Jacque Waters, associate director at the property, said the owners—Jeanne Sunderland and Robert...