NATIONAL REPORT—Part of what makes outdoor furniture sustainable is its sturdiness—its ability to last for years without requiring replacement. Another green factor is the materials from which the furniture is made. Fortunately for hoteliers, there is a wide variety of outdoor furniture available that has a strong green materials story. A large percentage of that furniture is made from recycled plastic—primarily high density polyethylene (HDPE) from recycled milk jugs and other containers. Suppliers have their own names for the plastic material that can be used in the construction of furniture items ranging from chairs to tables to towel valets...

IRVINE, CALIF.—About one million partly-used bars of soap are disposed of daily by U.S. hotels. With April 22 serving as Earth Day, this month marks the time of year to think about the ways individuals and companies can be less wasteful and more environmentally friendly.    Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of boutique hotels on the Pacific Coast, keeps this notion top of mind throughout the year. In a partnership with Clean the World, Pacifica Hotels donates partially or unused bars of soap and bath products to be repurposed and donated to impoverished areas. The initiative, which has...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Officials with domestic tile manufacturer Crossville Inc. announced that the company has diverted a total of 40 million pounds of fired porcelain since launching its Tile Take-Back program and TOTO USA partnership.These recycling initiatives are based on the company’s proprietary process for recycling fired porcelain products, including post-consumer materials. Through Tile Take-Back, Crossville is able to recycle previously installed tile collected from its distribution network, as well as scraps that result from tile cutting during installation, sizing, or sample creation.Through its TOTO partnership, Crossville receives pre-consumer fired porcelain toilets that do not meet quality standards; prior to the...

KANSAS CITY, MO.—Marriott International announced that the Courtyard Kansas City at Briarcliff in Missouri is the company’s first hotel to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building program status through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) prototype precertification program.The only LEED certified Marriott property in Missouri, the Courtyard Kansas City at Briarcliff was constructed on top of a mine, land previously undevelopable, and 10 percent of building materials used contain recycled content. Like all Marriott LEED Certified hotels, this hotel features a number of elements that focus on energy conservation, water efficiency and recycling. Some of...

NOTTINGHAM, PA.—Zandur exists to provide products that meet their three core product principles of sustainability, design and simplicity. In keeping with these principles, Zandur introduces a new line of solid rubber flooring named Flex.The color line is available in 24 standard colors ranging from cool and warm neutrals to vibrant primaries that coordinate with current design trends and blend with classic decor. Additionally, Zandur has the ability to create any custom color to complement a design scheme. Other options include oil and grease and skate resistant versions.Flex is composed of heavy duty 100 percent vulcanized rubber and comes with...

CHICAGO—Cintas Corp., the largest uniform supplier in North America, has introduced its 2014 Uniform Collection. The Uniform Collection features more than 70 new colors and styles and is the first collection to include shoes and branded promotional products. Together with the company’s new website, the Uniform Collection offers retail-inspired apparel and products for professionals in multiple industries, including healthcare, gaming, hospitality and foodservice.In response to fashion trends featuring shades of grey, Cintas introduced the color within its Regeneration Suiting Collection and Velocity Housekeeping Collection, both made out of recycled polyester. These collections enable organizations to outfit staff in charcoal...

FALLS CHURCH, VA.—A recent benchmarking survey commissioned by the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) finds widespread but varied acceptance of foodservice packaging by material recovery facilities.“We are encouraged by the number of material recovery facilities already accepting various foodservice packaging,” said FPI President Lynn M. Dyer. “We have found that both the industry and consumers often think these products are not recycled. This study not only refutes that assumption but shows promise for increased acceptance.”Responses from nearly 70 material recovery facilities, called MRFs, in the United States and Canada showed that the three most accepted products are cup sleeves, pizza...

HONG KONG—Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will replace approximately two million complimentary print newspapers distributed annually to guests with environmentally-friendly digital versions. The switch went into effect on March 29, 2014. The Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group has partnered with PressReader, a digital newspaper and magazine service, to replace the print newspapers. Guests and restaurant patrons will have unlimited, complimentary access to more than 2,000 local, regional and international publications from 100 countries in 60 languages.“We know how important it is for our guests to stay connected, which is why Shangri-La was the first international luxury hotel group to offer...

BAYFIELD, WIS.—Pinehurst Inn, an eight room bed & breakfast operated by Nancy and Steve Sandstrom in Bayfield, Wis., received the Governor’s Tourism Stewardship Award at the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism last month. The annual award is presented to a business or community that uses and promotes sustainable practices. Long-time leaders in the use of sustainable practices in Wisconsin’s hospitality industry and pioneers in the development of Wisconsin’s Travel Green program, the Sandstroms are honored to receive the award. “This award feels really wonderful,” said Nancy Sandstrom. “We are thrilled to have our efforts recognized by our peers in...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced a new global corporate citizenship commitment, highlighted by signature global partnerships with the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the international nonprofit organization, Clean the World.A premier developer and operator of integrated resort destinations, Las Vegas Sands (LVS), will contribute $7 million to the UNLV hotel college over five years to develop a global professional and executive education program and assist in the construction of a new academic building, as well as $1 million to Clean the World in 2014, the largest corporate...