MADRID—A new set of recommendations published outline how the global tourism sector can continue in its fight against plastic pollution while effectively facing the public health and hygiene challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing pandemic has hit the tourism sector hard, putting more than 100 million jobs at risk. Now, as countries begin to recover and tourism restarts in a growing number of destinations, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, has provided a plan of action for both public...

TRENTON, N.J.—Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has proven indispensable in the wake of COVID-19 but this surge has led to littered PPE flooding streets and marine habitats. To address this unintended public health crisis of potentially hazardous litter, TerraCycle Regulated Waste has launched an easy-to-use recycling solution for single-use gloves and masks through their line of EasyPak Containers. Designed as a recycling system for businesses in need of a turn-key solution for hazardous waste disposal, the PPE EasyPack Containers allow property managers to easily recycle used gloves and masks on-site, thereby allowing staff to responsibly dispose of their protective gear instead...

LAS VEGAS—PLI Card Marketing Solutions, a global provider of key cards and hospitality marketing programs, introduced Re.Solve TF—a plastic-free solution for RFID guestroom key cards made from FSC-certified paper layers. Re.Solve TF is intended to address market demand for durable, high-quality RFID key cards that are made from sustainable materials and do not contribute to the global supply of plastic waste. Re.Solve TF key cards from PLI contain genuine NXP MIFARE technology and are compatible with most hotel lock systems. “Our customers have been asking for a high-quality plastic-free RFID key card solution,” shared Thomas Garland, President & CEO at PLI...

Name: Jeffery Smith Title: Vice President Sustainability Company: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas Years in Current Position: Two Years, Six Months Primary Responsibilities: Managing operational impacts across 18 hotels and 32 spas, while supporting sustainable development for a pipeline of projects that grows the brand to touch on six continents. Organization’s most significant accomplishment in global corporate responsibility: “We eliminated plastic amenity bottles in 2003, plastic straws in 2016, and have been using coral safe sunscreen since 2019. Also, in every hotel there is a provision for funding to be spent outside the hotel operation. It allows each hotel to decide what is locally...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the premier organization independently recognizing excellence in green business industry performance and practice globally, announced the release of Safety First pilot credits for its SITES and TRUE rating systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new credits enable projects committed to sustainable landscape development and those pursuing zero waste goals to maintain those commitments while adapting practices and procedures in light of the current public health crisis. GBCI administers project certifications for some of the world’s leading green business programs, including LEED, SITES, TRUE, RELi and others. It is committed to supporting projects pursuing certification in adapting...

CINCINNATI—Plaine Products, a Cincinnati-based company dedicated to protecting the environment by eliminating single-use packaging, is building up their hair care portfolio with a 3.5 gallon bulk refill option for their best-selling Rosemary Mint Vanilla shampoo and conditioner. Businesses like salons and spas, hotels, and other wholesale partners can now more economically reduce their environmental impact by offering all-natural hair products as part of their service or product sales offering with significantly less packaging waste. Plaine Products is building upon their commitment to eco-friendly hair care products and a reduction in single use packaging by scaling products for commercial use. The...

LAS VEGAS—The Venetian Resort expands Sands ECO360 recycling efforts as the first Las Vegas-based property, and one of the first in the nation, to develop an innovative program to recycle surgical face masks, which are being used by guests and Team Members as part of the resort’s Venetian Clean initiatives. As part of this pilot project, in partnership with TerraCycle, the discarded masks are collected on-site at The Venetian Resort and sent to a recycling facility where they are separated, shredded and densified into a crumb-like raw material. This material will be used to make repurposed products such as composite lumber for...

HARRISBURG, PA.—Hersha Hotels and Resorts (Hersha Hospitality Trust) has released its 2019 Hersha EarthView Sustainability Report. The 35-page report summarizes Hersha’s 2019 impact and the strides it has made in its environmental, social, and governance efforts towards a more sustainable, connected, and inclusive world. For those of you not familiar with Hersha, a Real Estate Investment Trust, the company owns and operates 48 upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels in urban gateway markets and coastal destinations. Hersha’s EarthView program has existed since 2010. According to Hersha, $100 million in portfolio value has been attributed to EarthView as of 2019. EarthView has...

Hoteliers and their partners shape the vision of their hotels—the interiors, the food and beverage spaces, the theme and the list goes on. Their mission focuses on creating a unique and thoughtful destination that provides guests with personalized experiences no matter where in the world the property is located. With many hoteliers hopping on the green movement bandwagon over the past five to 10 years, the choices hoteliers and interior designers make when they select products have been shifting—big hotel brands are actively seeking a greener approach in every aspect of their properties. One easy eco-conscious decision hoteliers and designers...

SWEDEN—Industrialization of the disruptive Dry Molded Fiber technology is taking off as PulPac reveals its very first pilot line. To speed up the replacement of single-use plastics globally, the company licenses the technology to manufacturers and brands setting up their own production. The pilot line is a sequential step towards the goal to help licensees produce billions of completely plastic-free and degradable fiber products within a few years. “We have invented the first industrial method that can convert cellulose fibers into packaging that is price competitive enough to replace single-use plastics at scale. And it is possible to utilize all...