ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Here at Maho Bay Camps, you have to be careful what you throw away. Your “trash” just might end up as part of a piece of art on sale to a visiting guest. For more than 10 years now, glass bottles, aluminum cans, worn tablecloths, napkins, towels, sheets, shredded cardboard and paper, and even laundry lint have been converted into saleable pieces of art as part of Maho Bay Camps’ Trash to Treasures program. Last year, the resort sold $250,000 worth of art made from items otherwise destined for the trash heap. With the program a...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., L.L.C., and renowned diplomat for the environment, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society, have signed a 10-year agreement to further develop and expand the award-winning Ambassadors of the Environment (AOTE) program from the current location at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman to a select group of the brand’s other resort and urban hotel destinations around the world, including Kapalua, Maui and Sanya, which opened April 24, 2008. The program, which emphasizes education and respect for ecosystem sustainability through “hands-on” activities, was recently named “Best Children’s Program for 2007” by Virtuoso, the consortium of travel...

COSTALEGRE, JALISCO, MEXICO—Boca de Iguanas, the newest eco-resort project along Mexico’s pristine Costalegre, has named Lorena Vargas sustainability manager responsible for eco-friendly programs that reflect the project’s commitment to the environment. Vargas is a recent graduate from the University of Guadalajara with a degree in environmental biotechnology, and has ecological sustainability in her blood. Her father, José Roberto Vargas, set up the first organic production farm in Rancho Petacal, Jalisco 18 years ago. Part of Vargas’ work includes introducing unique touches of nature to the hotel rooms, restaurant, and homes, establishing the on-site composing program, overseeing the cultivation of...

NEW YORK—The Cayman Islands is working to change the face of tourism in the Caribbean as it goes ‘green’ with the introduction of the Cayman Islands Environmental Project for the Tourism Sector (CEPTS). CEPTS, a joint collaboration between the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, the Department of Environment and the private sector, is the Caribbean’s boldest response to the environmental issues facing the region, and just one of the ways that Cayman is preserving its natural splendor. “In common with most countries in the region, tourism development in the Cayman Islands is primarily located within the sensitive coastal zone, and...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken & Co., long recognized for sustainable leadership and environmental stewardship, has launched its second partnership to harvest methane as an alternative energy source. Spartanburg County approved the initiative on the eve of Earth Day 2008, April 21. “Milliken is constantly seeking ways to conserve energy and to reduce our footprint,” said Richard Dillard, director of public affairs for Milliken. “With the success of our methane program in LaGrange, Ga., Spartanburg County immediately realized the benefit of this proposal to the local government, our community, Milliken, and ultimately the Earth.” Spartanburg County will be responsible for...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Delaware North Companies, a global leader in hospitality and food service, is extending GreenPath, its award-winning sustainability and environmental system, to its worldwide operations. In a related announcement, Delaware North said it is naming John Huey to a newly created post of director of sustainability and environmental affairs. Huey was instrumental in the development and implementation of GreenPath, the company’s proprietary and award-winning environmental stewardship program, which began with Delaware North’s operation in Yosemite National Park, and is firmly in place at all parks and resorts, as well as Delaware North’s global headquarters. “Our unique approach at Yosemite National Park...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc.’s established reclamation program will now include FRESH bedding fabrics. These high thread count fabrics are made from 100 percent recycled polyester. FRESH is an acronym for Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards (for) Hospitality. The FRESH collection is a group of more than 1,000 fabrics that are made of 100 percent recycled polyester, that are also 100 percent recyclable. Valley Forge is the only textile company to date that has an established reclamation program to facilitate the recycling of textiles. Products made of 100 percent recycled content at a low energy manufacturing platform is important, but...

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Travel International, a leading nonprofit organization committed to sustainable tourism development, has introduced upgrades to the first travel-related carbon footprint calculator, complimenting a globally recognized carbon offset portfolio. “The various ways in which we can offset carbon footprints have evolved since we first introduced the calculator three years ago,” said STI president Brian Mullis. “These upgrades give consumers more flexibility in how they offset the footprint they just calculated and businesses more customized options in the calculators they feature on their own websites.” The calculator has always included options to measure the carbon footprint of air travel, car travel,...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—The inaugural Great Smoky Mountains Sustainable Tourism Summit will be held April 28 to 29 at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tenn. The summit, designed to kick off and honor the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a partnership effort of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina and the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations, The University of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area. Sustainable tourism is defined as sustaining the environment and historical and cultural heritage of a region, while simultaneously sustaining the...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. announced the publication of its 2007 Sustainability Report, which details the corporation’s efforts in the areas of economic progress, environmental stewardship and social responsibility; and provides data on related activities for 2007. “Sustainability is a critical part of our business at Ecolab, from new product development to the efficiency of our daily operations and those of our customers,” says Dr. Bruce Cords, vice president of Environment, Food Safety and Public Health. Highlights of the report include: • Continued advancements in the sustainability of products and services. From solid formulations to innovative packaging and dispensing methods, Ecolab is a leader...