PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Travelodge by Wyndham—part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with more than 9,200 hotels in over 80 countries—is building upon its 2019 growth momentum with the introduction of a new program in 2020 touting initiatives that streamline operations to drive value to owners while helping reduce the brand’s environmental impact. The adventure-focused brand, which has more than doubled its openings year-over-year as of the third quarter, has a history of eco-friendly efforts based on its strong concentration near many U.S. national parks. The new initiative, Travelodge + GO Green, aims to reduce overall waste...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced a series of initiatives to reduce waste at Hyatt hotels globally, including introducing large-format bathroom amenities and reducing single-use water bottles by June 2021. The following initiatives will be introduced as soon as possible in properties around the world, and no later than June 2021: Transitioning to large-format bathroom amenities to replace traditional small bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Increasing the number of water stations in key public spaces at hotels for guests who wish to refill reusable water bottles. Serving water in carafes or other containers for meetings and events; bottled...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Highlighting its commitment to sustainability, a company priority for more than 100 years, Milliken & Company announced it has enlisted National Geographic to produce a series of custom articles in National Geographic magazine and on nationalgeographic.com. The series will be designed to engage communities, customers and associates with key Milliken sustainability initiatives. “Sustainability is a core value that connects our planet, our products and our people,” said Halsey M. Cook, President and CEO for Milliken & Company. “Working with National Geographic amplifies our voice and invites meaningful collaboration as we explore innovative solutions to some of today’s greatest sustainability...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—JRS Amenities has announced plans to unveil their expanded collection of MOSAIC in-room amenity dispensers at HX: The Hotel Experience in New York City on November 10 & 11, 2019. MOSAIC was first introduced in 2014 and is now used in over 21 countries worldwide. “JRS and MOSAIC are committed to empowering more hotels to meet the evolving demands of eco-conscious travelers,” said Susan Howard-Memory, designer and owner of MOSAIC dispensing fixtures and parent company JRS Amenities Ltd. “In the design of our products, we see every component through a sustainable lens and consider how to improve the benefits and...

Under new regulations effective July 1, 2019, hotels in Shanghai have ceased to offer disposable daily necessities such as toothbrushes, combs, bath sponges, razors, nail files and shoe polish, unless specifically requested by guests. Guangzhou hotels joined the initiative in September. In mid-October, the Beijing government also drafted an amendment on household waste management to avoid using disposable daily necessities in the food service and hotel industries. Green travel appears to be a new trend that will extend and make its way to other Chinese cities in the future. It is estimated that more than 6.5 million sets of disposable...

NEW YORK, N.Y.—PacknWood announced that it will exhibit at The Hotel Experience at the Javits Center in New York City from November 10 to 11. The Javits Center is located at 429 11th Avenue, just over half a mile from the PacknWood showroom and office. Participants are invited to come see all the hotel and food service supplies PacknWood carries in its showroom at 213 W 35th Street on the 14th floor. The PacknWood displays will be located at Booth #1136. Packnwood is one of the 225+ exhibitors that will showcase its food service products to hotel and food service...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced an evolved vision for social impact and sustainability including setting goals to bolster diversity and inclusion, donate millions of meals and continue offering scholarship and educational opportunities for employees and their families. Through a commitment to be “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet,” MGM Resorts is committing to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests and in the communities where the company operates. “As a company with a global presence and more than 80,000 employees worldwide, MGM Resorts recognizes...

ATLANTA—Interface announced Mission Zero success ahead of its original 2020 target. Over the past 25 years, the company drove significant improvements across all key sustainability metrics internally and throughout its supply chain to help meet its objectives. And, Interface galvanized others along the way to implement more sustainable business practices. This created a positive ripple effect that helped the company not only achieve but also extend Mission Zero far beyond its original intentions. Interface’s direction and influence has helped countless others reduce their environmental footprint and work toward net zero impact within their own organizations. Based on 25 years of...

HOUSTON—Waste Management released its 2019 Sustainability Report providing updated data to supplement the company’s full 2018 report titled “Change for the Better.” The report highlights progress on the company’s 2038 sustainability goals, key performance indicators, recycling and recent awards. “Waste Management prepared its first ‘Environmental Report’ in 1992, well before we used the term ‘sustainability,’ and before we regularly reported on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles,” said Jim Fish, President and CEO of Waste Management. “Little did we know where this journey would take us. As champions for sustainability, we remain focused on our commitment to our planet and...

SAUDI, ARABIA—Amaala, one of the largest ultra-luxury sustainable resort projects ever conceived—one that will create 22,400 jobs and attract 310,000 visitors annually—is in the design stages for Saudi Arabia’s northeastern coast along the Red Sea. (See video.) Amaala, which is derived from the Arabic word for “hope,” will be set in a pristine natural reserve and includes three sites: Triple Bay, The Island, and The Coastal Development. Unique to the project is its environmental story. It will be built to have a zero-carbon footprint. Reaching zero-carbon status will be a challenge, as the project will also include an airport, 200 retail...