CHICAGO—The Langham, Chicago announced that it has achieved the LEED Gold level of certification. The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. “The Langham, Chicago’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach farther than ever before, and The Langham serves as a prime example of just how...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its outstanding efforts in food recovery. The entertainment and hospitality company received two national Food Recovery Challenge awards for reducing food waste and, in the process, conserving natural resources.“MGM’s zero waste leadership has turned mountains of food scraps into compost to help fight waste and climate change,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest.MGM Resorts and MGM Grand Las Vegas are two of the 32 recipients that received the 2014 Food Recovery Challenge Award, and the only recipients in Nevada. The award was...

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C.—Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) announces the release of Slim Jim Step-On refuse containers, the newest addition to RCP’s hands-free waste management portfolio. Designed to satisfy the diverse needs of any facility, the Slim Jim Step-On containers maximize space efficiency with a 20 percent smaller footprint and a slim profile ensuring a good fit in even the tightest spaces.   “The Slim Jim Step-On container is designed with a slimmer profile and fulfills a gap in the market for smarter, safer, aesthetic refuse containers,” said Kristine Sickels, Vice President of Marketing, RCP. “Foodservice, healthcare and commercial environments demand hands-free waste...

NEW YORK—W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., announced a new partnership with global music artist and entrepreneur will.i.am and The Coca-Cola Co. to shake up the hotel industry, one guestroom at a time. Together, they are bringing the EKOCYCLE brand to W Hotel rooms around the world, changing sheets and changing minds. W Hotels will soon begin re-making their beds with new EKOCYCLE branded sheets, which are made in part with rPET (polyester partially made using recycled plastic). Rolling out into W Hotels in North America first with global properties to follow, each king size...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The world’s only large-scale recyclers of hotel soap have combined their operations and charitable efforts. Clean the World and Global Soap have contributed to a 30 percent reduction in pre-adolescent deaths from hygiene-related illnesses since 2009. Now consolidated under the Clean the World banner, they join forces to improve even more lives through an integrated social enterprise. The blended organization capitalizes on strengths developed separately by each group over the past six years. Under the new operating structure, Clean the World Foundation manages all soap and plastic bottle collection and recycling in North America, while Clean the World Asia...

MIAMI—The Setai Miami Beach is now offering unlimited access to more than 3,700 global newspapers and magazines on PressReader for its guests during their stay. The launch of the new PressReader service complements modern amenities available at the award-winning hotel, which include free wireless Internet access and electric car charging stations.“We’re proud to offer an eco-friendly newspaper and magazine service to meet the global needs of The Setai Miami Beach and its guests,” said Igor Smirnoff, Chief Commercial Officer for PressReader. “Guests can download full editions of their favorite newspapers or magazines and have convenient features like the ability...

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y.—BioHitech America, a green technology company that provides an innovative data-driven solution for food waste removal, along with their U.K. distributer GreenComm Environmental Ltd. and their Israel distributor Ramona Municipal Services announced two new customers overseas: Athenaeum Hotel, a small family-owned five star hotel in Mayfair London that was recognized as one of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2014 and Nir Etzion Hotel & Catering Hall in Israel, one of the leading hotels in Israel with a large conference center for groups of up to 350.“We are thrilled to be working...

KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms announces the introduction of a new litter and recycling system designed by leading design and branding firm Landor for the Central Park Conservancy (CPC), a nonprofit that funds maintenance and capital improvements for the New York City landmark and nation’s largest public park. “This is our first product to start as a custom job and then become a standard product—and our first experience working with Landor,” says Landscape Forms President, Richard Heriford. “It was a great collaboration that resulted in a great product.”Renowned for its creative work for major international clients ranging from FedEx, BMW Group...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Extended Stay America (ESA), owner and operator of 682 hotels across the United States and Canada, is more than half way through a renovation program that began in 2012 and is projected to be completed next year. As it has worked its way through each hotel, ESA has been faced with the challenge of finding what to do with old carpet, mattresses, box springs, bedding, lighting and other items. Through partnerships with suppliers, recyclers and various charities ESA has found a way to keep the “retired” items out of the landfill. So far, 25 million cubic feet of...

MANASSAS, VA.—DH Hospitality announced the appointment of Janet Harrington to the position of Chief Operating Officer. In this newly created position, Harrington will oversee operations for DH Hospitality Group, Global Sustainability Solutions and DH Global Logistics. She will also be involved with the planning strategy and growth for each business unit.“Janet brings with her an extensive background that includes more than 25 years in the design, development and procurement areas of the hospitality market segment,” said Scott Hillig, Founder and CEO of the DH companies. “She will be a vital addition to our businesses and serve as a catalyst...