The list of the companies committing to eliminate (or at least dramatically reduce) the number of plastic straws given to guests continues to get longer. I have tried to post each announcement. Here is a list of the companies I have so far: MGM Resorts International, Hyatt Hotels Corp., Delaware North, Meliá Hotels International, Iberostar Group, The Travel Corp., Scandic Hotels, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Sudima Hotels & Resorts, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, The Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels, and The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Do a search on “straw” on Green Lodging News to find the various...

LOS ANGELES—Washington, D.C. based nonprofit Green Seal announced that the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has been awarded the Green Seal Silver Certification. This national, standardized certification is part of the nonprofit Green Seal initiative, created in 1989 to encourage companies to safeguard the environment by using environmentally responsible products and practices. The Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Hotel is the sixth hotel in Los Angeles (and one of only nine hotels in all of Southern California) and the first of the worldwide Sofitel hotel group to achieve this distinction. “By earning Green Seal certification, the Sofitel proves...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced Hyatt hotels around the world plan to eliminate single-use plastic straws and drink picks. After September 1, 2018, straws and picks will be available on request only, and eco-friendly alternatives will be provided where available. “At Hyatt, we care for people, so they can be their best, and this care extends to our communities and to preserving resources for future generations,” said Frank Lavey, Senior Vice President, Global Operations for Hyatt. “Eliminating plastic straws and drink picks builds on the environmental sustainability programs we have in place and further drives our global efforts to reduce environmental...

NATIONAL REPORT—Keeping our surroundings safe is easier when the environment is clean. Avoiding environmental pollution benefits everyone. Be it someone who’s conducting custom research papers writing or even an engineer. Recycling is one way to do that—a safer alternative than incineration which can impact the ozone layer. As easy as it is to recycle some items, it can be extremely difficult to recycle others. Below is a list of the hardest things to recycle. Silica Gel Besides being useful in removing any moisture, silica is amongst the most difficult products to recycle. More so, most people get to use it in...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Delaware North’s proprietary stewardship platform, GreenPath, helps ensure the company carefully manages its environmental impact and positively contributes to the communities it serves. In recent months, locations throughout Delaware North’s parks and resorts portfolio have taken on several high-profile, impactful and innovative initiatives in support of GreenPath. Through GreenPath, Delaware North sets strict guidelines for energy and water consumption, waste management and other standards at its 200-plus operating locations around world. Since its inception in the 1990s, GreenPath has won dozens of awards from the likes of NASA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Ecoglassstraws.com to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Foodservice Supplies/Straws category. Ecoglass straws eliminate single plastic straw waste, are dishwasher safe and microwave safe, and great for cold and hot beverages. Ecoglass straws are handmade in the USA and are available in different diameters, lengths and colors. Call (541) 387-4436 or e-mail Graffiusfga@aol.com for more information.

Ecoglassstraws.com Reusable, Durable Glass Drinking Straws Ecoglass straws eliminate single plastic straw waste, are dishwasher safe and microwave safe, and great for cold and hot beverages. Ecoglass straws are handmade in the USA and are available in different diameters, lengths and colors. Call (541) 387-4436 for more information. Ecoglassstraws.com » Email for Details »

NATIONAL REPORT—The Third Annual Green Lodging Trends Report Survey will be launched by Greenview on July 9, 2018. The survey will close on August 10, 2018. You can participate in the survey by clicking here. There is no cost to participate. Tens of thousands of green lodging establishments around the planet are being encouraged to benchmark their sustainability practices by completing this survey which last year saw some 2,100 properties participating from 46 countries. The survey encompasses topics ranging from energy management to communication to Health & Wellness. The Green Lodging Trends Report Survey has the support of Green Lodging...

PALMA, MALLORCA, SPAIN—Meliá Hotels International says it will eliminate single-use plastics in all its hotels in 2018. Gabriel Escarrer, the Executive Vice President and CEO of Meliá, made the announcement during his speech at the Group’s General Shareholders’ Meeting, a decision justified by the fact that “great customer experiences have to be compatible with respect for the planet, and plastic pollution is a global challenge which affects all destinations.” Escarrer highlighted the positive impact the decision will have: in 2017 more than 22 million plastic bottles were consumed in company hotels. Elimination will avoid more than 15 tons of CO2...

NATIONAL REPORT—Our planet has become overwhelmed by plastic. Since its invention in the 1950s, nearly 9.2 billion tons of plastic has been generated—6.9 billion tons of which is now waste that simply won’t go away. Low fossil fuel prices and lack of profitable markets for recycled materials have led to a disturbing reality of limited recycling—it is estimated that only 9 percent of all plastics ever get recycled. Jenna Jambeck, a University of Georgia engineering professor, estimates that somewhere between 8 to 14 million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean each year, most of which is carelessly tossed away...