NEW YORK—GROHE is now offering three new advanced technology filters and an eco-friendly cleaning cartridge for its GROHE Blue Chilled + Sparkling faucet.“Here at GROHE, it’s our goal to produce a sustainable and enjoyable water experience for all of our customers,” says Cheryl Dixon, Head of Brand Trade and Marketing for GROHE America. “Blue Chilled + Sparkling can significantly reduce a user’s carbon footprint by eliminating the need to buy bottled water. Our new filter options offer a better-tasting, customized drinking experience as well as a cleaning cartridge to further enhance this already outstanding product.”Three different filter options, each...

PROVINCETOWN, MASS.—With the recent ban on plastic bags throughout Provincetown, a push towards more environmentally friendly solutions is sweeping town as it prepares for the summer season. The Cape Colony Inn, located in Provincetown’s East End, is working to help in this movement by offering complimentary tote bags to guests checking into the hotel. The bags are a high quality material and perfect for carrying purchases from shopping or supplies for the beach.“I am excited about this new initiative for our guests at Cape Colony Inn after Provincetown’s environmentally friendly decision,” said Steve Sleeper, General Manager. “The hotel has...

INDIANAPOLIS—William Roam, creators of American-made personal care products for the hospitality market, has committed to helping keep Hawaii’s beaches clean through a donation to Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (SCH). The annual 1% for the Planet donation was made after considerable research and vetting of charitable organizations in Hawaii.“It was important we donate to an organization making a visible environmental impact in their communities with a passionate, hands-on approach in support of their own natural features, as well as foster a close relationship to the very places that helped inspire our business,” says Ali Murphy, CEO of William Roam. “SCH work...

One glance around a hotel lobby and the trained eye can see many opportunities for flexible and rigid polymeric materials necessary for efficient, effective and safe construction. It would seem that Cliff Goldman, author of the guest column in January entitled, “A Hotel Industry Future Without Vinyl Products,” would have these potential opportunities exclude vinyl as an option, for reasons he may not fully understand. Most professional designers and engineers know the benefits of flexible vinyl, including its inherent flame retardant advantages, UV resistance, stain and scratch resistance and low VOC properties, not to mention recyclability. These characteristics all fare...

NATIONAL REPORT—Throwing out food scraps and leftovers hardly seems controversial until you consider the stats: Some 870 million people, one-in-eight on Earth, go to bed hungry every night, notes the World Food Programme. Shortly after taking his post, Pope Francis took this issue to heart and to the public to mark the U.N.’s 2013 World Environment Day, noting “throwing away food is like stealing from the table of the poor and hungry.” The Pope’s remarks are made all the more poignant by a U.S. Department of Agriculture report estimating that 31 percent, or 133 billion pounds, of food available for...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced an initial three-year commitment with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to reduce its impact on the environment. As Hilton’s signature environmental partner, WWF will work with the company to evolve its global business practices. The collaboration also will further WWF’s mission to protect and conserve the Earth’s life-supporting resources by making the hospitality industry more sustainable.Hilton Worldwide properties around the world already contribute to the company’s waste reduction and water conservation targets through thousands of on-property projects. The collaboration with WWF builds on existing efforts in these areas and leverages the company’s initial work on sustainable...

PHOENIX—After years spent working in the automotive and aerospace industries, Ray DelMuro quit his job and set out to combine his passions for engineering and art. Now, DelMuro and his business Refresh Glass, which creates products from recycled wine bottles, is getting national attention from Deluxe Corp. and its Small Business Revolution documentary project. The Small Business Revolution, which also features “Shark Tank” star Robert Herjavec, is a yearlong campaign that celebrates the vibrancy, variety and community impact of small businesses all across the country. Its latest story is a photo essay profiling Refresh Glass, one of 100 profiles...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the signing of a management agreement with Diamond Developers to launch the second Hotel Indigo in the U.A.E. Hotel Indigo is IHG’s boutique brand and each Hotel Indigo property is designed to reflect the local neighborhood it is located in. From the design of the building to the hotel’s artwork and locally-inspired menus, each Hotel Indigo property is unique to its surroundings, so no two properties are the same. In addition, guests can look forward to immersing in stories of the neighborhood through creatively crafted spaces reflecting the area’s heritage—a key cornerstone of...

ROSWELL, GA.—Kimberly-Clark Professional announced the launch of GreenHarvest products, an offering that incorporates rapidly renewable plant-based fiber, such as wheat straw and bamboo, into Kleenex and Scott brand towel and tissue products.Kimberly-Clark Professional is the first major towel and tissue manufacturer in North America to introduce products made with 20 percent plant fiber in place of tree fiber or recycled fiber. These products required the development of an entirely new supply chain to directly obtain wheat straw from U.S. farmers and the creation of a new manufacturing process for converting plant fiber into pulp.“In a resource-constrained, digital world, with...

LOS ANGELES—Disneyland Resort was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the 2014 Food Recovery Challenge award for its zero waste efforts, and the highest percent increase in food recovery of any theme park in the nation.“Disneyland is a model for food recovery efforts,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Disney has the potential to educate millions of people who visit the resort on zero waste, while doing its part to fight climate change and create a better environment for Southern California residents.”The EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge partners with organizations and businesses to prevent...