It is difficult at this point to understand the potential magnitude of the news Westin Hotels & Resorts made this past week, but it could be huge for not only the lodging industry but other industries as well. Be sure to read this entire column and you will understand why. First, to the news. Westin announced the launch of Project Rise: ThreadForward, a sustainability program that collects, processes and reweaves hotel bed linens—transforming them into thousands of pairs of children’s pajamas. The first-of-its-kind, “upcycled” pajamas will be distributed to children in need in cities around the world. Also, guests...

BANGKOK—Building on the success of the UN’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (IY2017) initiative and in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), PATA, along with its project partner, Scholars of Sustenance (Thai-SOS) and knowledge partner Futouris, is launching the BUFFET Campaign to raise awareness of food waste in the tourism industry to drive positive change. The BUFFET (Building an Understanding For Food Excess in Tourism) Initiative is about bringing together a coalition of industry partners and PATA members to create and implement a campaign that challenges the industry, particularly the hospitality sector, to reduce food waste to landfill. PATA CEO Dr. Mario...

BETHESDA, MD.—Westin Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of Project Rise: ThreadForward, a sustainability program that collects, processes and reweaves hotel bed linens transforming them into thousands of pairs of children’s pajamas. The first-of-its-kind pajamas will be distributed to children in need, whose circumstances can contribute to shortened and more fragmented sleep. Beginning April 16, Westin will give the gift of better sleep beyond the brand’s hotels, in cities around the world: from New York and Toronto, to Mexico City and Cape Town, and will encourage guests to support by purchasing a pair of pajamas on westinstore.com to benefit...

Name: Laura Abshire Title: Director of Sustainability Policy and Government Affairs Organization/Location: National Restaurant Assn./Washington D.C. Years in Position: 5+ years Primary Responsibilities: “I view my role as someone who is increasing education around sustainability—monitoring everything around the sustainability space and how it impacts our members.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “The NRA has done a lot of work linking sustainability efforts with restaurateurs and their daily operations. Raising awareness and inspiring action has been a very big accomplishment.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “There is so much more work to be done to educate members on sustainability. The lack of infrastructure for...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Pürlin to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Linens & Towels category. Through its integrated closed-loop, recycling system Pürlin’s laundry-free linens satisfy the hospitality industry’s need to provide safe clean linens while protecting the environment. Pürlin allows guests to rest comfortably knowing that they’re the only ones to ever sleep on Pürlin’s soft, hypoallergenic, single use sheets. Utilizing the same man-made micro-fiber technology safely used in baby diapers and personal hygiene products for over 30 years, Pürlin simulates cotton without the use of dyes, pesticides,...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp. continues the fight to end hunger by donating more than 101,000 pounds of food as a result of their global food drive, Harvest for Hunger. From November 1 through 30, non-perishable food items were donated by associates, owners and guests at participating Marriott Vacation Club resorts and at Marriott Vacations Worldwide offices around the world. All donations benefitted local food banks near the resorts and offices. These efforts were in addition to the initiative associates from around the globe came together for back in September to help their fellow associates at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove located...

FORT WASHINGTON, PENN.—A strong majority of Americans (86 percent) say a clogged public restroom toilet would negatively impact their perception of a business, according to a recent survey commissioned by Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use. The survey, conducted online by Harris Poll, February 6 to 8 among 2,079 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, also found that more than three-fourths of Americans (76 percent) have experienced a clogged toilet in a public restroom. “Clogged toilets can result in foul odors, restroom closures, disgruntled customers and increased maintenance costs for businesses,” said Fabio Vitali, Vice...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—GreenTree Hospitality Group, Inc., one of the world’s largest hotel brands globally, with over 2,600 hotels worldwide, announced its partnership with San Francisco Bay Coffee Company, bringing eco-friendly, compostable coffee pods for in-room use in its GreenTree Inn & Suites properties. In continuing with the GreenTree Inn brand commitment to its sustainability practices within the communities and guests it serves, all GreenTree Inn & Suites hotels will feature the San Francisco Bay Coffee ‘No Waste’ OneCup single-serve pod. Each pod is sealed inside a compostable bag and a recyclable corrugated cardboard box. Both Fog Chaser regular and French Roast...

The lodging industry should pay attention to and replicate efforts by major restaurant companies to eliminate polystyrene foam packaging. Last month, McDonald’s Corp. agreed to end the use of such packaging globally by the end of this year. According to As You Sow, rarely recycled, expanded polystyrene foam used in beverage cups and takeout containers is a frequent component of beach litter, breaking down into indigestible pellets, which marine animals mistake for food, resulting in deaths of marine animals. McDonald’s phased out foam cups for hot beverages in the United States in 2012 but continued to use them in...

SAN FRANCISCO—Argonaut Hotel, an award-winning boutique hotel on San Francisco’s waterfront, announced it has been named an SF Green Business by the San Francisco Department of the Environment, as a result of its year-long efforts to implement comprehensive eco-friendly initiatives at the hotel and its popular Blue Mermaid Restaurant & Bar. Located in the historic Haslett Warehouse in the heart of the San Francisco Maritime National Park, the Argonaut is one of the most iconic San Francisco hotels leading the charge on sustainable hospitality, to preserve and protect the building and its environment. Originally built as a 200,000 square foot...