Name: Wes Shirley Title: Director of Engineering Hotel: Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead Years with hotel: Six Primary responsibilities: “It’s my responsibility to make sure every single guest that stays in our hotel has a flawless and enjoyable stay. I do that by making sure that my employees are happy, well trained and completely engaging with our guests. It’s my responsibility to the owners to ensure that their building is well maintained. At all times it should look and run like a new hotel. It’s also my duty to spend their money wisely, always looking for new, inventive ways to lower their costs...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes reCollect2 Co. as a Green Lodging Survey sponsor at the Bronze level. The reCollect2 recycler is a three piece set which includes a 10 quart wastebasket, matching recycle bin and base. Select message(s) of one’s choice can be printed on the individual bins and base. The set is manufactured from reprocessed plastic products. Each reCollect2 set measures 15.25” x 12.25” x 12” high and is made in Wisconsin. Call (262) 527-9375, e-mail info@reCollect2recycler.com, or visit www.reCollect2recycler.com for more information.

LAS VEGAS—Republic Services and The Mirage Hotel & Casino unveiled a new recycling exhibit inside the Sustainability Discovery Center at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. The exhibit is part of an ongoing commitment made by Republic and MGM Resorts International to increase awareness of sustainability throughout Southern Nevada and among roughly 42 million tourists who visit annually. “MGM Resorts International and Republic have partnered to increase awareness of the positive impacts of recycling, and the important role each individual can play,” said Cindy Ortega, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of MGM Resorts International. “The Mirage...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a Global Sustainability Solutions (GSS) case study to its website. The case study details how GSS was able to assist the Hilton Los Angeles Airport (Hilton LAX) with mattress and box spring disposal (3,943 pieces). GSS project manager, Ashley Seaman, coordinated with Hilton LAX to determine the best way to efficiently remove and replace the bed sets with minimal disruption while seamlessly coordinating the complex logistics among its mattress partner, Serta, the hotel staff, the GSS crew of 15-plus professionals and the recycling facility.GSS accepted and...

STILLWATER, MINN.—SelfEco introduces its new line of bioplastic party and catering ware that is Compostable without Compromise. “Compostable products should be superior to the non-recyclable, disposable products they replace,” said Danny Mishek, President, SelfEco. “You should not have to make sacrifices to use them. You should feel proud and excited to use them. We have transformed compostable party and catering ware from products customers are forced to use to products they want to use because of their quality and appeal.”“SelfEco has created a line of upscale, attractive and durable disposable service ware that fits great into many event and...

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.—Manufacturer Glaro Inc. announces a product upgrade to its receptacles. Most waste and recycling receptacles (not including the Value lines) now come standard with removable heavy-duty molded rigid plastic inner liners. The new liners, made with recycled plastic, will save janitorial staff time because they are lighter, easier to lift out, and convenient to clean. In addition, shipping will be less costly.“The outer receptacles remain unchanged and continue to be offered in a multitude of attractive sizes and finishes,” says Executive Vice President Robert Betensky.The following waste and ash/trash receptacles summarize the products that have been upgraded: 12”/15”/20”...

PORTLAND, ORE.—McMenamins has built a reputation in Oregon and Washington for revitalizing aging structures by converting them into useable spaces. It began its journey back in 1983 and now has 70 pubs and restaurants, 25 breweries, two distilleries, a winery, and 10 hotels. The hotels once had other uses. For example, McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell, Wash. was once Bothell Junior High. The historic Edgefield in Troutdale, Ore. was built in 1911 as the county poor farm. The Hotel Oregon in McMinnville, Ore., built in 1905, was once home to a restaurant and lounge, banquet hall, Greyhound bus depot,...

Food waste continues to be a global crisis. Globally, an estimated 133 billion pounds of food ends up in landfills every year, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming while negatively impacting valuable natural resources such as land and water.   As the earth’s population continues to grow toward nine billion people by the year 2050, we continue to place an enormous burden on our natural resources and our environment while struggling to feed a growing population. In the United States alone, food waste makes up a staggering amount of landfilled waste.  Thirty-four million tons of food waste is sent...

In today’s marketplace, there is a plethora of product certifications, labels and declarations that manufacturers and builders use to communicate a product’s value to clients. However, owners, product specifiers and building occupants all have different interests and motivations. Just as each person’s background and experience varies, so do their beliefs when it comes to sustainability. The good news? Studies show we are all becoming more aware of and concerned with issues surrounding social and environmental health and sustainability. Making use of product labels, including declarations and certifications, is one way to make more informed choices; however, deciphering the claims...

LONDON—As part of Responsible Business Week and marking Earth Day, April 22, Green Hotelier named the winners of the Green Hotelier Awards 2016. The winning hotels in four regions around the world represent those which have made the biggest commitments to sustainability with innovative programs that positively impact their people, their community and the planet. Judge and editor of Green Hotelier Siobhan O’Neill said, “We were honored to receive dozens of applications for the Awards this year, and judging them all has been both difficult and delightful. In previous years the winning hotels often stood head and shoulders above...