LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Researchers estimate up to 11 million metric tons of plastic waste is entering the ocean every year and that by 2025, 11 billion metric tons will have accumulated in the environment. As pollution is impacting the marine ecosystems and wildlife around the globe, the charming adults-only Laguna Beach retreat, Hotel Joaquin, is working with Surfrider Foundation to become an official Ocean Friendly Hotel to support efforts in stopping plastic at the source to minimize pollution. Located just steps away from the residential beach of Shaw’s Cove, Hotel Joaquin is committed to cutting out wasteful single-use plastic to make sustainable choices for...

HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN—Gaia Biomaterials has developed a compostable drinking straw material. The new material is a grade of the company’s limestone based Biodolomer material. Biodolomer does not leave any microplastics and is certified compostable by BPI in the USA as well as European certification bodies. The new grade has been developed with hot drinks, such as Irish Coffee and hot chocolate, in mind. It can handle temperatures over 80ºC without any substantial loss in rigidity and stability. Several tests have been conducted with drinking straw manufacturers in Europe and the USA. The material works well in machines, and the properties are according...

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES—Hilton announced the results of its Green Ramadan 2024 initiative, which aimed to further reduce food waste across hotel operations during the holy month. Through the effort, Hilton saw a more than 20 percent reduction in post-consumer food waste. Following the success of Green Ramadan 2023 where food waste was reduced by over 60 percent, the program was scaled across 32 hotels in seven countries and served 239,000 guests during iftars and suhoors. Participating hotels in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Türkiye and Malaysia undertook extensive sustainability training, and aimed to close the loop across the...

NATIONAL REPORT—Artificial intelligence (AI), according to IBM, is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities. When used improperly, AI can wreak havoc. One need not look far in our industry, however, to find examples of how AI is being used in a positive way—in the hotel kitchen to reduce food waste. Two companies utilizing AI in their automated solutions to help hoteliers reduce food waste are Winnow Solutions and Leanpath. Solutions such as those offered by Winnow Solutions and Leanpath are needed because of the volume of food waste generated by commercial kitchens. Between 5...

MCDONOUGH, GA.—A new survey by ALPLA, a global leader in packaging solutions, uncovers critical barriers to the adoption of reusable products, pointing to a significant disconnect between consumer intent and action. Despite a widespread desire to incorporate reusable items into their daily routines, many are held back by cost and quality concerns. This builds on ALPLA’s previous research highlighting a strong generational shift in favor of sustainable packaging, showing that while the intent to adopt sustainable practices remains high, practical barriers such as affordability and perceived quality must be addressed. ALPLA’s latest findings shed light on an exciting opportunity for the industry to...

Over the years I have written about various alternatives to plastic bottled water. Some are as simple as water filtration/dispensing systems. These systems have become quite common in our industry. Other systems are rarer and more complex. For example, last year 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. In April I reported on...

MIDLAND, N.C.—Hoteliers in search of alternatives to plastic bottled water have a new option to consider: an on-site micro-bottling system. Available from Boomerang Water and about the size of an ice machine, the system can fill up to 400 reusable bottles an hour. The Boomerang Bottling System is already in use at properties including the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Hawaii) and The Boca Raton (Florida). At the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 910,000 plastic bottles were diverted from landfills and waterways in one year. At The Boca Raton, 419,750 plastic bottles were diverted in a year. The Statler Hotel at...

HARTFORD, CONN.—In a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led 16 states in sounding the alarm over pervasive plastic microfiber pollution, urging EPA and NOAA to use the full extent of their authority to protect public health and the safety of our oceans. Synthetic clothing sheds tiny plastic strands—called “microfibers”—when it is washed. It is estimated that approximately 640,000 to 1,500,000 plastic microfiber pieces are shed per wash cycle. It is estimated that the United States and Canada pollute an estimated 878 tons of microfibers into the...

GULF BREEZE, FLA.—With National Oceans Month this month, Innisfree Hotels is welcoming guests to engage in sustainable activities at its more than two dozen properties in coastal Florida and across the Southeastern U.S. “At Innisfree, we partner with locally led organizations to ensure we have a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” said Bethanne Edwards, Director of Sustainability at Innisfree Hotels. “Our local sustainability partnerships center around environmental conservation, education, advocacy and community-building efforts.” With so many beach- and waterfront properties in its portfolio, Innisfree Hotels’ environmental initiatives naturally include ones that specifically benefit oceans and waterways....

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Draco Hygienic Products to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Amenities/Dispensers/Toiletries” category. Draco Hygienic Products introduces EZ Shower dispenser. The ideal option for hotels aiming to cut plastic waste while maintaining high guest satisfaction, it is available in a multitude of designs, colors, and custom options. Dispensers pair with premium personal care products in hygienic, bacteria-free cartridges that last about 60 days on average, saving the housekeeping team valuable time and the hassle of bulk refilling. With EZ Shower dispenser, one can reduce annual amenity costs by as much as 50 percent....