RICHMOND, B.C.—Ocean Legacy, a Canadian nonprofit organization that develops and implements worldwide plastic pollution programs, with the goal to end ocean plastic pollution, announced that they have produced the first commercially available plastic pellet in North America, called Legacy Plastic. Legacy Plastic is made from high-grade 100 percent post-consumer processed recycled plastic recovered during ocean, shoreline, and marine equipment cleanups. With the introduction of Legacy Plastic, companies can use recycled marine plastics in their products, continuing to close the loop on plastic management systems. “We soft launched Legacy Plastic in 2021 and we are thrilled with the amount of interest...

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—A Tesla Megapack has helped S2A Modular make history as the first off-grid factory in the world powered entirely by a Megapack. S2A Modular has completed its first of many modular home MegaFactories being operated using low-voltage DC power. The Tesla Megapack receives its power from a new alternate energy source called PVGraf Solar. These unique solar panels set a new level of efficiency, reliability, and ruggedness for solar panels. PFGraf Solar manufacturer FreeVolt has partnered with S2A Modular and named them the exclusive dealer of PVGraf Solar in the United States. S2A has the UL for...

Reducing our industry’s environmental impact takes teamwork and making best practices easily available so that those who are not as far along the green path can copy and improve upon what has been done. That is the message behind the announcement this past week by AHLA to launch Responsible Stay, an industry-wide commitment to make meetings, events, and guest experiences in America’s hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. (See article on Green Lodging News.) The Responsible Stay website details the program’s principles and areas of focus, provides examples of what more than 20 companies are doing, features company success snapshots,...

CINCINNATI—Cintas Corp. has again been honored as one of Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies. In its announcement of its 2023 America’s Most Responsible Companies list, Newsweek noted that its selections are “based on a holistic view of corporate responsibility that considers all three pillars of ESG: environment, social and corporate governance”—to formulate a final “CSR Score” that is used to rank companies. “We’ve built Cintas on the foundation of a sustainable business model since our origins almost one hundred years ago,” said Todd Schneider, Cintas President and CEO. “We have tremendous pride in how we run our business, and all of us...

JESSUP, MD.—Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC), a worldwide leader in cooling solutions for the commercial, manufacturing, and industrial markets, announces the release of its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The ESG Report highlights the key initiatives, accomplishments, and targets necessary to achieve BAC’s vision of reinventing cooling to sustain the world. “We are very proud to publish our inaugural ESG Report where we, as the global leader in evaporative cooling, the most sustainable cooling technology in the market, have an obligation to innovate and lead the industry towards a more sustainable future,” said Don Fetzer, President of BAC. “Our...

MALDIVES—Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences has joined forces with the turtle conservation organization, the Olive Ridley Project, to monitor and conserve local turtles. There are nine individual turtles that visit Amilla to feed regularly, and three that nest on the island, according to the resort’s latest research. Nests belonging to Green Turtles are the most common type of turtle nests found in the Maldives. However, at Amilla Maldives Resort, both Green Turtles and less common Hawksbill Turtles nests have been located. Guests snorkeling often see large turtles grazing or slowly swimming by, but the nests are carefully protected. Amilla’s Marine Biologist, Zoe Cox, (who...

TAMPA, FLA.—McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning leader in hotel management, announced the recent promotion of Jess Hayden to Vice President of Operational Excellence. In this newly created position, Hayden is responsible for overseeing procurement, contract management, hotel openings and transitions as well as sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives, driving the company’s process and performance improvement, quality assurance and operational efficiency across its portfolio of nearly 100 hotels. “Jess Hayden has been, and continues to be, an invaluable asset to McKibbon Hospitality and her promotion to Vice President of Operational Excellence couldn’t be more deserved,” said Randy Hassen, President of McKibbon...

ATLANTA—Georgia-Pacific has been recognized with an Innovation in Sustainability award for Juno Technology. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced its Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Sustainability Award winners, recognizing exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry. “This is the first year we are presenting awards in alignment with our new Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 sustainability goals and statement of principles on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “It is exciting to see examples of these goals in action.” Juno Technology is Georgia-Pacific’s breakthrough solution to waste...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced Responsible Stay, an industry-wide commitment to make meetings, events and guest experiences in America’s hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. Responsible Stay is focused on prioritizing hotels’ environmental sustainability efforts in four key areas: Energy efficiency: optimizing energy efficiency through operational improvements and adoption of clean energy technologies Waste reduction: investing in waste reduction programs and new, innovative alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste across properties Water conservation: ensuring the reduction of water usage by implementing water-efficient practices in core areas like laundry, food and beverage, and landscaping Responsible sourcing...

New data unveiled by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) show the Travel & Tourism sector is not contributing what it was once thought to be contributing to the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions total. Previous estimates have suggested that the global Travel & Tourism sector was responsible for up to 11 percent of all emissions. However, WTTC’s Environmental & Social Research (ESR) shows that in 2019 the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions totaled just 8.1 percent globally. That 8.1 percent is a big “just” but good news nevertheless—but certainly not reason to slow efforts to improve efficiency. According to WTTC,...