WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the world works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the infrastructure needed for wind, solar, and electric vehicles is being built at record rates. Before long, a wave of solar panels, wind turbines, and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) will reach the end of their useful life. Nevertheless, despite growing demand for the critical minerals such as copper, lithium, silver, and cobalt used to build these renewable technologies, there seems to be little analysis about the dynamics of recycling. The transition to a clean energy future requires a secure supply of critical minerals. Recycling is one way that society can mitigate...

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—Cadence Keen Innovations (d/b/a CKI Solutions), serving the hospitality industry, including cruise, for more than 20 years, is putting plastic packaging in the past and transitioning to compostable packaging for all its mattress and pillow encasements, bed doublers, as well as all other products using plastic or poly bags, including its Bed MadeEZ® Bed Maker. “The transition has already begun and will be included in all new products as they come in from the factories,” says Rachel Montross, Senior Marketing Manager for CKI Solutions. “We are moving away from zippered plastic packaging to a much more ecofriendly,...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) recently announced the result of its annual recycled content survey, which reports its members’ use of recycled materials. In 2022, NAIMA members in the United States and Canada used more than 3.4 billion pounds of recycled glass and slag in the production of residential, commercial, industrial, and air-handling thermal and acoustical insulation. More specifically, the data showed that in 2022, facilities in the United States used more than 2.3 billion pounds of recycled glass, while Canadian facilities used more than 357 million pounds. U.S. and Canadian facilities reported a combined use of...

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA—Forte Village in Sardinia, Italy announced they have recently been awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. The honor certifies that the resort complies with the highest social and environmental standards available, including the areas of restaurant, management of wellness, pool, and tennis areas. The notable achievement is a demonstration of the sustainability efforts and initiatives Forte Village has put in place over the last few years. Forte Village prioritizes environmental preservation and sustainable practices, focusing on a philosophy that revolves around living in harmony with nature, supporting the local economy and culture, and maximizing economic and social benefits. To ensure sustainable development, they...

Name: Emma Jacobs Title: Social Purpose and Sustainability Manager Company: Legacy Vacation Resorts Years in Current Position: Two years Primary Responsibility: “Leading our Social Purpose initiatives, getting our teams involved, volunteering, doing cleanups, fostering a healthy ecosystem. We have a heavy focus on electrifying and transitioning to renewable energy.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in social purpose and sustainability: “We are ever-focused on the future with ambitious goals including getting to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030, reducing water usage per check-in (UPC) 25 percent and energy UPC 10 percent by 2025, and achieving 100 percent renewable energy company-wide by 2030. We are well...

PHILADELPHIA—Be Well. Do Well.—Aramark’s Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) platform—encompasses the company’s focus on and commitment to helping people and the planet. “I am proud of the progress we are making to reduce inequity, support and grow communities, promote diversity, and protect our planet while strengthening the long-term value proposition of our business,” said John Zillmer, CEO, Aramark. At the end of fiscal year 2022, Aramark summarized the progress made delivering on the company’s ESG commitments. View the 2022 Progress Report. Because work continues throughout the year, it is timely to share recent highlights and accomplishments that benefit people and the planet. Accelerating Environmental Sustainability From food purchases...

RICHMOND, B.C.—Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF), a nonprofit organization that develops and implements worldwide plastic pollution programs with the goal to end ocean plastic pollution, released results from their plastic pollution study that took place in Antarctica in partnership with Ocean Geographic from February 12 to 23, 2023, as part of the most recent Antarctic Climate Expedition 2023 (ACE 2023). The ACE 2023 was spearheaded by Dr. Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer, Marine Biologist and Explorer, and Michael AW, Ocean Geographic Founder. A total of 120 thought leaders from 20 countries in the fields of science, art, education, and economics, alongside teenagers and corporate executives,...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Zurn Elkay Water Solutions announced a partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and a $2.2 million donation of its Elkay drinking water filters to support the City of Milwaukee’s and MPS’s ongoing commitment to providing safer, cleaner drinking water to students, staff, and community members. In an event with kindergarten students at Starms Early Childhood Center, 2616 W. Garfield St., Mayor Cavalier Johnson, MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Chairman and CEO Todd A. Adams celebrated the signing of a five-year support agreement between MPS and Zurn Elkay. As part of the agreement to convert...

NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is replacing 1.9 million square feet of traditional roofing with a new, energy-efficient roofing system. The $40 million roof replacement project is part of a $557 million capital improvement plan and will be under construction until mid-2024. “We are taking a comprehensive approach to enhancing and transforming our massive facilities in order to elevate the visitor experience and reduce our environmental footprint here at the Convention Center—from new technology inside to new exterior greenspaces and a fantastic new heat-deflecting roof,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President/CEO. “This is an...

In recent years, food waste management has become one of the most critical topics in the hospitality industry. Whether it’s to cut costs or reduce environmental impact, food waste has become relevant, not only for hoteliers and people in management, but for the average guest as well. On the surface, food waste management sounds like it should be an easy problem to address. Hoteliers have already begun to tackle the issue with farm-to-table programs and projects like Second Harvest, but do these efforts make a difference? The phenomenon of food waste can be approached with two distinct strategies: food waste prevention,...