Home Publisher's Point of View Two Hotel Industry Examples of Water from Air on a Large Scale

Two Hotel Industry Examples of Water from Air on a Large Scale

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Glenn Hasek

In recent years, Green Lodging News has published articles about companies that offer machines that transform moisture in the air to drinking water. It is a great idea of course and when matched with a glass bottling system can do a great job at eliminating plastic bottle waste.

This past week, Accor announced that it is partnering with SOURCE Global, PBC to bring reusable glass bottled drinking water—water from the air—to key hotels in Singapore. Unique to this water is that it is made by SOURCE Hydropanels—a ground-breaking solar-powered technology that harvests the pure, endlessly renewable water vapor in the air and transforms it into premium drinking water.

The Hydropanels are not your typical solar panels. According to SOURCE, first, solar energy powers each panel completely off-grid. Second, fans draw in ambient air and push it through a hygroscopic, or water-absorbing material, that traps water vapor from the air. Third, the water vapor is extracted and passively condenses into liquid that is collected in the reservoir. Minerals are added to make drinking water. A wireless transmitter inside each Hydropanel allows SOURCE to monitor water quality and help resolve issues remotely.

Replaces Thousands of Plastic Bottles

Each Hydropanel, which can produce two to five liters of water a day, can offset more than 50,000 plastic bottles in its lifetime. The water delivered in the reusable glass bottles will be collected, cleaned, and refilled near the SOURCE “Water Farm.”

The project is part of Accor’s global commitment to increase circularity in its operation and eliminate single-use plastics in the guest experience, consistent with the UN Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and the Resource Sustainability Bill passed by the Singaporean Government in 2019, which is part of the Government’s zero-waste initiatives.

“We are really proud to be partnering with SOURCE on this incredible solution that allows us to serve sustainable drinking water at our hotels,” says Nigel Moore, Accor’s Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage, Southeast Asia, Japan & South Korea. “This partnership was a natural extension of the work we are doing to ensure our hotels operate more sustainably and make a positive impact on the communities in which we are present. We look forward to showcasing this great concept with our guests.”

If your property happens to be in a very low-humidity environment, SOURCE says its Hydropanel system can still work. “Today, SOURCE is making water for people in some of the most arid deserts in the world,” the company says.

Another Example in Saudi Arabia

The Accor partnership is the second time SOURCE has come to my attention. Almost two years ago, Green Lodging News posted an article about The Red Sea Development Company and its partnership with SOURCE. In this instance, the water bottling will take place at a plant that runs on solar energy. The SOURCE facility will have a capacity of 2 million 330ml bottles annually and will initially produce 300,000 bottles a year. The reusable glass bottles will be refilled on site as part of a fully circular sustainable distribution model. Water harvesting and bottling will generate zero carbon and zero single-use plastic bottles.

In case you are wondering, SOURCE is not meant for generating electricity for your property. It generates enough power to run the water-production process. That said, SOURCE can coexist with a solar PV panel array in the same location.

It is great to see companies in our industry utilizing this technology to tackle the single-use plastic issue on a large scale.

GLN Adds Charlie’s Soap, Renegade Plastics to Green Product & Service Directory

Green Lodging News has added Charlie’s Soap to the “Cleaning Products/Laundry/Other Areas” section of its Green Product & Service Directory, and Renegade Plastics to the “Fabrics/Textiles” section of its Green Product & Service Directory.

Charlie’s Soap offers a premium line of naturally derived cleaning and laundry products that deliver an all-natural clean. They have 40 years of experience built on family, good science, and smart chemistry, resulting in an effective clean for the most delicate laundry and toughest outdoor stains. The products are always safe to use and easy on your skin. Ideal for eco-friendly hotels and resorts, Charlie’s Soap’s professional line features all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergents that are safe, effective, fragrance free, and hypoallergenic. Call Taylor Sutherland, President, at (800) 854-3541, or e-mail taylor.sutherland@charliesoap.com.

Renegade Plastics is providing a recyclable fabric solution that is free from lead, phthalates, dioxins, PFAS, VOCs and heavy metals as an alternative to PVC-coated fabrics for the hospitality industry. The outdated unsustainable flexible PVC plastics are used in numerous industries from billboards to sports equipment. Renegade has exclusive rights to a polypropylene-based replacement for PVC-coated fabrics that can improve the environment from farms to school bus seats to fabric structures. By replacing these materials now, Renegade is establishing the foundation for a circular plastic fabric economy. Call (720) 263-0022, or e-mail Curran Hughes at curran@renegadeplastics.com.

Who is Your Sustainability Champion?

Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Looking for Guest Columnists

Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!

Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 19,505 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)

Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)

Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each week, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.

Planning Advertising for 2023?

Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2023. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier and Green Suppliers Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2023 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.

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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

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