MCLEAN, VA.—On World Food Day, October 16, Hilton Worldwide announced multi-year partnerships with Feeding America and The Global FoodBanking Network to secure food and reduce hunger in communities where it operates around the globe. The collaborations will enable Hilton Worldwide hotels to collect safe, surplus food from conferences and daily food and beverage operations that would otherwise be thrown away and make it available to those in need.Feeding America and The Global FoodBanking Network will each connect Hilton Worldwide hotels with local food banks and their networks of local community agencies to facilitate food delivery to school feeding programs,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) announced their alliance to help raise awareness of foodservice packaging recovery among restaurant operators and consumers. As part of this new effort, the groups are hosting a first-of-its-kind, industrywide Foodservice Packaging Recovery Summit November 7 to 8 in Austin, Texas, that will bring stakeholders together to collaborate on industry-driven solutions that increase the recovery of valuable resources and landfill diversion.At the inaugural summit, NRA and FPI members and invited guests will share expertise to gain a better understanding of how the industry is working to increase recovery...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the US Composting Council (USCC) announced a partnership to raise awareness about food waste diversion, composting education, and other sustainable activities for the benefit of restaurant operators of all sizes nationwide.  The NRA and USCC will share educational resources and identify collaborative opportunities that promote awareness of the role composting plays in waste reduction and improved soil and water quality.“We are pleased to join with the US Composting Council to better serve our members by providing resources on composting, waste reduction, and other sustainability efforts they can adopt to strengthen their businesses,”...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Trump SoHo New York has partnered with Orlando-based social enterprise Clean the World to collect and recycle hotel soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and gels to help fight the global spread of preventable diseases. The soaps collected by Trump SoHo will be shipped to Clean the World for recycling and distribution to communities and countries in greatest need through the efforts of Clean the World Foundation. Trump SoHo has a total of 391 rooms and is projected to provide nearly 35,000 bars of soap and bottled amenities—more than two tons—to Clean the World annually, which is enough to provide hygiene...

DALLAS—The LEED Gold pursuing NYLO Dallas South Side hotel, a five-story, 76-room property, opened late this past summer and joins NYLO’s collection of three other eco-friendly hotels—two in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The new urban-loft boutique NYLO is the result of the conversion of the 101-year-old Dallas Coffin Co. Building. During the conversion, every possible part of the original building was incorporated into the hotel. For example, the hotel’s guestrooms feature original concrete floors and exposed ceilings. Celebrating the vibrant local arts community, original artworks from local artists are showcased throughout the property, complementing the hotel’s chic interior...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of Siberian Spruce paneling milled from reclaimed Russian crating material, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. A mix of slow-growing spruce and pine from the frigid climate of subarctic Russia, the paneling is reminiscent of the walls of an alpine lodge, but its light color also lends itself to contemporary interiors. “This paneling’s rustic character hints of its rough-and-tumble past,” Mitchoff said. “But it’s really beautiful, and it’s an extremely affordable way to use reclaimed wood on a project.”Siberian Spruce is available in 5/8″ or 3/4″ thicknesses, with a face width of...

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.—Outdoors-oriented travelers headed to the Chattanooga area for rock climbing, bicycling, kayaking and other activities can now stay in a hostel that is officially among the world’s greenest. Opened in June 2011, The Crash Pad just recently earned its LEED Platinum designation. According to the hostel’s owners, Max Poppel and Dan Rose, The Crash Pad is the only hostel on the planet to earn LEED Platinum. Only three other lodging establishments in the United States have earned LEED Platinum through the U.S. Green Building Council.Located on one acre in downtown Chattanooga, The Crash Pad sits on a site...

MANKATO, MINN.—A new compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) recycling container from VaporLok Products LLC, Mankato, Minn., can safely hold up to four 13-watt, or up to three 23-watt used CFLs, protecting consumers from hazardous mercury vapors if the fragile bulbs inside are broken from mishandling. With the average CFL containing approximately 4 milligrams of mercury, a single broken bulb can release vapor levels dangerous to consumers’ health. Exposure to mercury can cause neurological, kidney and brain damage in adults, children and fetuses.Especially significant, this CFL recycling solution is the only one that adsorbs mercury vapor inside the container to protect...

DALTON, GA.—Aqua Hospitality Carpets and Zeftron nylon, a premium branded nylon 6 fiber system, announced the introduction of their latest joint collection, Bloom. The three styles—Flora, Pure Petal and Just Leafy—take their cues from the beauty of nature discovered through the unexpected design lens of x-ray technology. The organic patterns, coloration and texture come to life through Zeftron nylon’s clear crisp solution dyed color palette of fully renewable nylon 6 yarn systems. All three styles are available in both broadloom and tile.Ideal for hospitality environments such as guestrooms, lobby areas or corridors, the collection also provides the best in...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—When you have 744 guestrooms in multiple buildings, a spa, restaurants, and three 18-hole golf courses—all on 3,000 acres—maintaining a high level of operational efficiency is always a challenge. At The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., however, the management team has been able to keep up with aging infrastructure thanks to owners who have poured $300 million into the property since 1995. It was in 1995 that renovations began on the historic hotel that was first constructed in 1918.“The main hotel building was built to 1918 energy standards,” says Terry McHale, The Broadmoor’s director of facilities. “It...