Over the years I have written about various alternatives to plastic bottled water. Some are as simple as water filtration/dispensing systems. These systems have become quite common in our industry. Other systems are rarer and more complex. For example, last year Accor announced that it is partnering with SOURCE Global, PBC to bring reusable glass bottled drinking water—water from the air—to key hotels in Singapore. Unique to this water is that it is made by SOURCE Hydropanels—a ground-breaking solar-powered technology that harvests the pure, endlessly renewable water vapor in the air and transforms it into premium drinking water. In April I reported on...

MIDLAND, N.C.—Hoteliers in search of alternatives to plastic bottled water have a new option to consider: an on-site micro-bottling system. Available from Boomerang Water and about the size of an ice machine, the system can fill up to 400 reusable bottles an hour. The Boomerang Bottling System is already in use at properties including the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Hawaii) and The Boca Raton (Florida). At the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 910,000 plastic bottles were diverted from landfills and waterways in one year. At The Boca Raton, 419,750 plastic bottles were diverted in a year. The Statler Hotel at...

HARTFORD, CONN.—In a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led 16 states in sounding the alarm over pervasive plastic microfiber pollution, urging EPA and NOAA to use the full extent of their authority to protect public health and the safety of our oceans. Synthetic clothing sheds tiny plastic strands—called “microfibers”—when it is washed. It is estimated that approximately 640,000 to 1,500,000 plastic microfiber pieces are shed per wash cycle. It is estimated that the United States and Canada pollute an estimated 878 tons of microfibers into the...

GULF BREEZE, FLA.—With National Oceans Month this month, Innisfree Hotels is welcoming guests to engage in sustainable activities at its more than two dozen properties in coastal Florida and across the Southeastern U.S. “At Innisfree, we partner with locally led organizations to ensure we have a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” said Bethanne Edwards, Director of Sustainability at Innisfree Hotels. “Our local sustainability partnerships center around environmental conservation, education, advocacy and community-building efforts.” With so many beach- and waterfront properties in its portfolio, Innisfree Hotels’ environmental initiatives naturally include ones that specifically benefit oceans and waterways....

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Draco Hygienic Products to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Amenities/Dispensers/Toiletries” category. Draco Hygienic Products introduces EZ Shower dispenser. The ideal option for hotels aiming to cut plastic waste while maintaining high guest satisfaction, it is available in a multitude of designs, colors, and custom options. Dispensers pair with premium personal care products in hygienic, bacteria-free cartridges that last about 60 days on average, saving the housekeeping team valuable time and the hassle of bulk refilling. With EZ Shower dispenser, one can reduce annual amenity costs by as much as 50 percent....

Costa Rica’s Hotel Belmar has gotten quite a bit of “ink” on Green Lodging News and deservedly so. The latest press release posted on Green Lodging News highlights the hotel’s sustainable cuisine. The boutique property has won the Silver award at the Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards and last year launched a new carbon negative initiative that encourages guests to participate in the Offset Your Footprint program by matching all donations. The donations result in a carbon negative trip for hotel guests who choose to participate. In the hotel’s latest blog post, it details its partnership with ECOHEROES, a program aimed at eradicating...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—On the United Nations’ World Environment Day, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced a significant stride in environmental stewardship with the goal of having Winnow’s food waste technology installed across all its hotels by the end of 2025. This initiative is a testament to Mandarin Oriental’s commitment to setting a new standard for sustainability in the luxury hospitality sector. In a resounding endorsement of the effectiveness of Winnow’s AI technology, Mandarin Oriental has already observed a remarkable 36 percent reduction in food waste in four pilot hotels: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London; Mandarin Oriental, Miami; and Mandarin...

WAILEA, HAWAII—Hawaii’s five-star, five-diamond Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea announces the launch of the Blue Aina guest experience, an addition to the Resort’s Malama Hawaii program. Launching in tandem with National Oceans Month, this new initiative aims to cultivate a sense of ocean conservation and environmental stewardship among guests, providing a unique and educational adventure that underscores the Resort’s unwavering dedication to regenerative travel, tourism, and sustainability. The term “Blue Aina,” translating to “Blue Land,” symbolizes the interconnectedness of land and sea, echoing the shared responsibility to protect and preserve the environment. This ethos embodies the essence of Four Seasons Resort Maui and is reflected in...

NATIONAL REPORT—Earlier this year, Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles announced CiCLO® biodegradable polyester as its core down alternative fiber. Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles joins companies such as McDonald’s and Hanesbrands in utilizing the patented CiCLO® technology, which is owned, manufactured and distributed by Intrinsic Advanced Materials. Target is also selling numerous items—bathmats and sheet sets for example—that utilize fibers treated with CiCLO®. According to Andrea Ferris, CEO of Intrinsic Advanced Materials, hospitality will quickly follow retail in the adoption of CiCLO®. When added to synthetic fibers including polyester and nylon, CiCLO® technology allows microbes to treat synthetic fibers like natural fibers. When...

LAS VEGAS—Climate change is now at the forefront of people’s minds, while travel is continually cited as a major (and significantly, a discretionary) contributor to total carbon emissions. As such, every hotel brand needs a clear plan and must also be increasingly transparent about what’s been done to date to win hearts and minds. But every plan relies upon leadership, and with customer sentiment slowly shifting more and more towards ESG values (especially amongst the younger generations), this presents a clear case for carving out a sustainability role for every hotel. Of all the places to learn about how to...