ORLANDO, FLA.—Tupperware Brands Corp. announced the donation of 43,000 reusable drinking items to Clean the World Foundation, a global leader in WASH (water, sanitization, and hygiene) and sustainability. The donation comes as a result of Tupperware’s 2019 Buy One, Give One campaign held last month in the United States and Canada in honor of World Water Day. Both Orlando-based companies rallied around the mission to support access to clean drinkable water while supporting the hygiene and sanitation needs of those in developing countries. In support of World Water Day, from March 16 through March 22, Tupperware committed to donating one...

SAN FRANCISCO—Yelp has launched a Green Practices Initiative to begin surveying consumers and understanding how to better assess the sustainability of a restaurant’s practices. Given the complexity of sustainable food systems and restaurant operations, Yelp is focusing first on the reduction of single-use plastics in restaurants and leveraging what makes Yelp most useful: consumer feedback. Yelp will begin surveying consumers and collecting data on the use of single-use plastics in restaurants across the United States. Consumers who visit a restaurant’s Yelp page can answer whether or not the business uses compostable takeout containers, plastic bags, plastic straws, plastic utensils or...

MIAMI—As part of Club Med’s continuing commitment to a sustainable approach to tourism, the company is working on new uniforms for staff completely made out of recycled plastic material. The special collection will consist of polos, dresses and caps to serve a variety of roles. This process not only uses approximately 40 percent less energy consumption when compared to regular polyester production, but in order to create Club Med’s new uniforms, the equivalent of more than 200,000 plastic bottles have already been recycled in the process. Club Med’s G.Os (the term used for employees, short for Gracious Organizers) will debut...

LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA—Situated on the island of Langkawi in Malaysia, The Datai Langkawi is a luxurious ecotourism resort nestled in the heart of a 10 million-year-old rainforest. In an exciting milestone, The Datai Langkawi is the first in the world to join the EarthCheck ECO (Terrestrial) Certification Program. EarthCheck ECO is the culmination of a journey that began in 1987 and continues to this day. Using a science-based approach, the program helps travel and tourism organizations increase efficiencies, reduce their environmental footprint, support local communities and maximize guest experience. “Over 500 million years ago, Mother Earth created what is known as...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced that MGM Springfield, located in Springfield, Mass., has received the world’s first United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) New Construction Platinum level certification for a gaming resort. MGM Springfield, which opened in August 2018, is the company’s most recent development. Working closely with state and city officials, as well as the local community, MGM Resorts committed to designing and building a property that exemplifies the company’s values in support of environmental sustainability and positive social impact while honoring local history and architecture. A significant enabler of the LEED Platinum rating...

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL.—The VITO X-Series—the first patented vacuum filtration system in hospitality—is now available. “The industry needed a filtration solution for restaurants serving a high volume of fried dishes, food productions with larger fryers or catering operations requiring a time efficient and convenient way to filter their frying oil,” says Andreas Schmidt, CEO of VITO AG, Germany. “We at VITO decided to fill this void by manufacturing the first ever vacuum filtration system called the X-Series. We are proud to announce the availability also in the United States.” The X-Series works based on a simple principle with a focus on...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes TQ Industries Hotel Carts Manufacturing and Sales to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Carts/Housekeeping/Laundry/Luggage” category. There is no plastic involved with TQ Hotel carts. All models are manufactured from 30 percent post-consumer aluminum. Manufacturing from aluminum enables TQ to create an extremely durable product, lightweight to push, capable of being customized and 100 percent recyclable. Models for: room make-up, small “roll into the room” carts, houseman baskets, luggage and custom carts. Thousands of dollars are wasted repairing scratched walls each year. TQ models are equipped with lowered “durable” rolling bumpers that...

MARKHAM, ONT.—Green practices and environmental responsibility are growing property prerequisites for many travelers. Maestro’s most recent property software innovations reduce paper use and simplify the guest journey at every touchpoint beginning with Digital Signature Registration Card through to Mobile Check-Out, streamlining operations and reducing the dependency on paper. “Many Maestro PMS users are independent operators committed to running their properties in ways that protect the environment,” said Warren Dehan, Maestro PMS President. “Maestro works with these operators to create responsible system processes that support their sustainability goals.” “Sustainability is now a defining element for trendy urban properties and stylish beach resorts,”...

For those of you not familiar with Hersha Hospitality Trust, it is a real estate investment trust that invests in hotels (48 hotels, 7,644 rooms). The company is organized in Maryland, with its principal office in Harrisburg, Pa. Hersha created its award-winning sustainability program, EarthView, in 2010. Hersha just released its 2018 Sustainability Report. According to Hersha, since 2010 it has seen a $65 million increase in portfolio value thanks to EarthView. It has also experienced $11 million in savings. Compared to 2010, Hersha has seen a 15 percent reduction in energy per square foot, 41 percent reduction in greenhouse...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Boxed Water Is Better™ to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Water/Sustainably Packaged category. Guests want to do all they can to help end the plastic pollution problem. Boxed Water offers award winning pure water in a box that is made from 74 percent sustainable materials (paper). When Boxed Water Is Better customers post pictures on social media, the company will plant two trees in national forests. Boxed Water Is Better has planted 790,000 trees so far. Boxed Water is Better can also help hotels organize events that support sustainability. Visit boxedwaterisbetter.com,...