MEMPHIS, TENN.—In the new FedEx 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, the company highlights how teams across FedEx are doing their part to further the company’s focus on Our Planet, Our People, and Our Principles. Some highlights from the FedEx 2023 ESG Report include: Decreasing carbon dioxide emissions intensity on a revenue basis by 48.9 percent from Fiscal Year 2009 through Fiscal Year 2022, a period during which average daily package volumes grew by 142 percent. Avoiding 150 million gallons of jet fuel through aircraft modernization efforts, reducing its total FY22 jet fuel consumption by more than 10 percent. Providing...

RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO—The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya recently debuted a new bee sanctuary, the Meliponario, to protect the local Maya Melipona Bee. In addition to preserving the species and facilitating their honey production, the resort now offers an experience for guests to learn more about the species with a new eco-tour and honey tasting. For centuries, the Yucatan Peninsula has been home to many native Melipona stingless bees. Considered by the Mayans as sacred, the Melipona bee uniquely harvests the blooms of plants with medicinal properties. Inspired by the pre-Hispanic beekeeping tradition, Grand Velas Riviera Maya rescues...

DENKENDORF, GERMANY—OBJECT CARPET, a company known for cutting-edge research and innovation, has developed a completely new yarn for its very first outdoor carpet. The pile material is 100 percent recycled polyester from industrial and consumer waste. The traditional craft of delicately spinning different yarns transforms the materials in MEDITERRANEO into a contemporary texture. This special treatment and production process gives the carpet collection its unexpected note: Despite its robust and natural appearance that is reminiscent of rattan, the carpet is surprisingly smooth. It becomes distinctly soft with a sensual feel, conveying the lightness of the Mediterranean. The MEDITERRANEO collection includes a variety of 12...

As mentioned previously on Green Lodging News, I attended HD Expo in Las Vegas from May 2-4. Thanks to Covid-19, it had been four years since I last attended this event focused on hospitality design. What was clear immediately to me this time was that the show and conference was as strong as ever and the number of sustainability stories was at a record level. In my article this past week I listed many of the companies in attendance that jumped out at me in one way or another as having something new, unique, or showing evidence of the continuation...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to a review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data just released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), wind and solar combined now provide more generating capacity and produce more electricity than coal. The latest issue of EIA’s “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through February 28, 2023) reveals that in the first two months of this year, electrical generation by solar (including small-scale distributed systems) grew by 6.7 percent, compared to the same two-month period in 2022—faster than any other energy source. This was driven in large part by growth...

LAS VEGAS—More than 600 exhibitors displayed their goods and services at last week’s HD Expo at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. More than 80 of those exhibitors identified themselves as sustainable in one way or another. It would be impossible to mention all those companies in this article but below are many examples of what this author considered especially creative and unique. Elkay Manufacturing Co. introduced its ezH2O Liv Pro Filtered Water Dispenser. Unlike other Elkay dispensers, this one features a low-profile design and a more upscale look with its either black or white frame. It fits within 16” OC...

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—Westrock Coffee Co., a leading integrated coffee, tea, flavors, extracts, and ingredients solutions provider to the retail, foodservice and restaurant, convenience store and travel center, non-commercial, CPG, and hospitality industries, released its 2022 Sustainability Progress Report. The report showcases the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible sourcing, supply chain transparency, and traceable, connected systems that challenge the status quo of the beverage trade. “Westrock Coffee was founded on the belief that fostering honest and equitable relationships in agricultural supply chains could drive the success of our farmer partners, supply chain partners, and our company,” said Matt Smith, Executive Vice...

BOSTON—Force of Nature, the toxic-free cleaning brand on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, has announced its status as the first certified Carbon Neutral disinfectant in the industry. The company’s appliances use electricity to convert salt, water and vinegar into an all-in-one cleaner, deodorizer, and EPA registered disinfectant formula as effective as bleach. The Force of Nature systems eliminate all single-use plastic bottles, and through their partnership with ClimatePartner, the company has also achieved Carbon Neutral certification. “As a company committed to creating a more sustainable future, we are proud to announce that we are now...

GÖTEBERG, SWEDEN—Swedish innovative packaging company, PulPac, announces an expansion of its mission-driven operations. Following the partnership with Curt G Joa (JOA) to set up a more significant demonstration site for Dry Molded Fiber, PulPac wants to establish its own U.S. operations in the Upper Mid-West region. The expansion includes a dedicated application development team and a state-of-the-art sampling facility to accelerate both product innovation and customization. The U.S. expansion is a strategic move that aims to bring PulPac’s sustainable solutions closer to the market, supporting the company’s vision of creating a more sustainable future. The collaboration with JOA, a leading...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands has released its latest environmental, social and governance (ESG) report outlining the company’s 2022 progress on the corporate responsibility ambitions and priorities established for its 2021-2025 reporting period. Targeted for achievement by 2025, Sands’ performance on its ambitions in the People, Communities and Planet pillars of its corporate responsibility program through 2022 included: People—Aiming toward its 2025 target to invest $200 million in workforce development initiatives to advance Team Members and local talent in the hospitality industry, Sands invested $56 million in 2022 and $113 million since 2021. Funding has supported core initiatives such as the Sands Academy Team Member training and development program...