Whenever my family eats out and we are automatically offered plastic straws for our drinks, we tell the server we do not need them and to take them back. With what we know about plastic straws—they are non-biodegradable and take hundreds of years to decompose and break down into microplastics—you would think they would no longer be used…but no. They are still all too common in hospitality. Numerous hotel companies have pledged to stop buying plastic straws. Six years ago, Marriott phased them out. Five years ago, Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. eliminated single-use straws from its branded properties as part of...

CHICAGO—As the hospitality industry accelerates efforts to modernize IT infrastructure and meet brand-mandated sustainability goals, Cloud5 Communications is bridging the gap between technology upkeep and environmental responsibility. By aligning its Main Frame Distribution (MDF) closet remediation services, an offering of its Managed IT Services division, with its ECO Program for secure, sustainable hardware recycling, Cloud5 is helping hotels improve performance, reduce downtime, and support broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Many properties are challenged by legacy equipment, unmanaged cabling, and outdated hardware housed in their network closets. Cloud5’s Managed IT Services team is responding to growing requests for structured, professional cleanup...

NEW YORK—Hyphyn, the first biodegradable performance vinyl, introduces a breakthrough in sustainable materials, proving that high performance and environmental responsibility can coexist. Engineered with a patented enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation, Hyphyn delivers commercial-grade durability while biodegrading over 90 percent within two years in landfill conditions—a first for performance vinyl. “True innovation isn’t just about creating something new—it’s about rethinking what’s possible,” says Iwan Nassimi, Executive Vice President of Nassimi, makers of Hyphyn. “Hyphyn reimagines vinyl’s lifecycle, offering the performance the industry relies on while solving the long-term environmental impact challenges no other vinyl has addressed.” Redefining Sustainable Performance Traditional vinyl...

MONTEREY, CALIF.—Portola Hotel & Spa, the first LEED-Certified hotel in Central California, has launched its new Reduced Waste Conference Program, advancing its long-standing commitment to sustainable hospitality. Developed in collaboration with Blue Strike Environmental, a mission-driven sustainability consulting firm, the program offers event organizers a seamless way to reduce the environmental footprint of their gatherings while maintaining an elevated guest experience. Portola Hotel & Spa’s Reduced Waste Conference Program sets a new standard for responsible meetings, encouraging collaboration between the hotel, planners, and attendees to reduce landfill waste, lower carbon emissions, and increase the use of reusable and recyclable resources. From behind-the-scenes...

If LD 1928 is passed, Maine will join at least four other states—New York, California, Illinois and Washington—that have phased out or are in the process of phasing out single-use plastic amenity bottles. A big tip of the hat to Rep. Lori Gramlich for sponsoring this legislation. I posted an article this past week about the initiative. Support of the bill has been by no means across the board. The Maine House of Representatives voted just 72 to 70 and the Maine Senate voted 17 to 15 to advance the bill. There will be additional votes in each chamber before LD...

NATIONAL REPORT—The Morning Sentinel is reporting that a bill advancing in the Maine Legislature—LD 1928—would prohibit most hotels, short-term rentals and other guest accommodations from using single-use plastic amenity bottles (with less than a 6‑ounce capacity) for shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. Locations with 12 or fewer units would be exempt. The bill does not restrict the use of plastic refillable containers for personal health or beauty products. It also does not restrict the use of single-use personal health or beauty product containers, bottles, wrappers or packaging that are not made with plastic. Lodging establishments would have years to...

BATAVIA, ILL.—Designed with both style and functionality in mind, the new Acclaim Double Side-Load Receptacle by Barco Products is made in America and is the perfect solution for any high-traffic indoor or outdoor food service or recycling areas requiring a high-quality, attractive waste and recycling solution for branded environments. Users can personalize their Acclaim receptacle with: Eight color options—select frame color, left panel color, and right panel color. Add full-color, custom logo decals. These are factory-applied and recessed to protect the edges of the decals. Multiple opening shapes to suit waste stream types: Rectangle, Saturn, Small Circle, Large Circle, Diamond, Slot,...

SOLON, OHIO—On its path toward circularity, global flooring manufacturer Tarkett has found a new, circular solution for its renowned Powerbond hybrid carpet. Leveraging the power of mushrooms, now any Powerbond returned to Tarkett’s ReStart take-back and recycling program will be transformed into biobased raw materials for use in future Tarkett Sports products being introduced in the coming months. “Recognized for its unmatched durability and performance, Powerbond has been a cornerstone of Tarkett’s innovation portfolio for decades. Reclaiming it after years—sometimes decades—of use and converting it into a biobased raw material isn’t just progress, it’s a breakthrough,” said Roxane Spears, Vice President of Sustainability. “This...

This past week’s Green Supplier Spotlight featured something new from Pineapple Hospitality: paper-based single-use packaging for amenities. The product is one example of an attempt to provide an alternative to single-use plastic amenity bottles. Velas Resorts also made news this past week with its Water Bottle Painting Workshop—an invitation to guests to customize their own reusable water bottles using premium paints, fine brushes, and a protective lacquer spray. Also this past week, The Good Plastic Company, a leading sustainable materials manufacturer, announced new and notable developments across its signature Polygood line. Composed of 100 percent recycled and recyclable plastic, including post-consumer and...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Hilton announced the results of its Green Ramadan 2025 initiative, revealing a 26 percent reduction in post-consumer plate waste during the holy month. The month-long effort helped avoid more than 2.6 tons of food waste, the equivalent of more than 6,000 meals—reinforcing Hilton’s commitment to reducing food waste across its hotels through consistent, measurable impact. Building on the momentum of previous years, the program marked the initiative’s biggest rollout yet, scaled across 45 hotels in 14 countries in EMEA and APAC, and served more than 340,000 guests during iftar and suhoor—traditional meals during Ramadan. Participating hotels in Saudi Arabia, the United...