CHICAGO—With four years to go until 2015—the target year for reaching its energy, water, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste reduction goals—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is making significant progress. According to Brigitta Witt, vice president corporate responsibility for the company, energy, water and waste have been reduced by 10 percent since 2006 at approximately 200 full-service, Hyatt-managed hotels around the world. There have also been substantial cuts in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2009, the year Hyatt began tracking emissions. “We have been tracking energy and water since 1994,” Witt says. “We saw there was a...

GARDEN GROVE, CALIF.—Hyatt Regency Orange County, a recently renovated hotel near the Disneyland Park, includes “green thumb” on its list of eco-friendly hotel initiatives. High above the hotel’s 653 guestrooms and 65,000 square feet of meeting space rests an organic garden on the 17th story rooftop. Fresh-picked garden bounty, including basil, thyme, Italian parsley, tomatoes and sweet peppers, is used in many of the gourmet dishes served at TusCA, the hotel’s signature Italian restaurant. “We are proud to offer a unique experience for our guests by providing fresh, organic herbs picked daily for the TusCA restaurant right from our...

Hotels and resorts are facing increased costs for garbage collection as fuel for collection vehicles increases and landfills increase their dumping fees. Landfills also create environmental problems by polluting the ground water underneath and the air above them. These environmental problems are caused by organic waste. The organic waste component of landfill is broken down by micro-organisms to form a liquid ‘leachate’ which contains bacteria, rotting matter and often chemical contaminants. This leachate can present a serious hazard if it reaches open water or enters the water table. Organic matter in landfills also generates methane, which in large quantities...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts is making significant progress toward reaching environmental goals outlined in its 2015 Environmental Vision, a set of aggressive environmental performance goals. The operator of lodging and concessions in national parks and resorts around the country spelled out its progress using environmental performance metrics, called “Ecometrix.” The company’s achievements and measurable progress toward its environmental goals are detailed in the company’s fourth Environmental Sustainability Report. In the report, Xanterra’s president and CEO, Andrew Todd, wrote about the devastation brought about by recent environmental disasters, such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Todd cited Xanterra’s...

MIAMI BEACH—Aeterna recently introduced its Flavored Waters on Tap multi-beverage delivery system. Flavored and enhanced water is the fastest growing beverage segment in the industry, available til now only in glass and plastic bottles. Ecologically committed Aeterna Water solves a dual consumer need by offering a fresher beverage delivered “on tap” (still or sparkling) side by side with a green solution for abating the proliferation of plastic bottled beverages. “Imagine the finest still and sparkling waters combined with Sicilian Blood Orange, Ruby Raspberry and Citrus Sparks to create an endless flow of customizable beverages with no high fructose corn syrup,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes T2 Site Amenities as a Founding Sponsor. T2 Site Amenities, Highland Park, Ill., offers a wide variety of products. Recycling containers are constructed from a wide range of sustainable woods, steel, and fiberglass. Recycling containers can be customized using granite, slate and other materials. Planters are available in many different styles and sizes; so too are benches. The company also offers towel valets, bicycle racks, umbrellas, bath collections, air purifiers and other items. For more information, e-mail info@t2-sa.com, call (847) 579-9003, or go to www.t2-sa.com.

TAMPA, FLA.—WhiteHall Products, a leading provider of single-use solutions including plastics, paper products and janitorial supplies, announced that the company has introduced a green product line.  “At WhiteHall Products, we appreciate that reducing the impact on our environment is as important to our customers as it is to us,” said Mike Russo, president of WhiteHall Products. “Though most businesses are interested in implementing a green initiative in their workplace, many are unable to absorb the additional investment it typically takes to utilize green products. That’s why WhiteHall Products has developed a line of green products that are friendly to...

CHICAGO—OpenWays’ Mobile Key, together with Ariane Systems and KABA Saflok, recently introduced a joint Mobile Key front desk bypass solution for check-in. The 100 percent automated self-service check-in solution brings together Ariane System’s Allegro check-in system and Saflok’s RT next-generation RFID locking system with factory-installed OpenWays Mobile Key built in. The integrated solution was deployed first in Oslo, Norway. “There is no smarter or greener check-in solution than Mobile Key,” said Pascal Metivier, OpenWays founder and CEO. “Our three companies have leveraged mobile technology unlike any other to deliver a guest check-in experience that is unsurpassed. The solution is sustainable,...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville, Inc. announced that it has become the first tile manufacturer in the United States to achieve certification of its waste recycling programs through Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an independent, third-party certifier of recycled claims. Crossville has joined with TOTO, the world’s largest manufacturer of sustainable, luxury plumbing products, to recycle that company’s pre-consumer fired sanitary ware. This material from TOTO has been recently certified by SCS as part of the EcoCycle Fired Waste Process, marking the latest development in Crossville’s EcoCycle Recycling Processes program. SCS has verified that through these recycling processes, Crossville annually recycles approximately 12 million...

SAN DIEGO—Cali Bamboo, a manufacturer of green building materials for residential and commercial projects made primarily from bamboo, launched its BamDeck Composite Bamboo Decking made from 100 percent recycled materials. With durability characteristics twice the density and strength of other decks, it’s the only decking product made from 30 percent recycled bamboo fibers and 70 percent recycled plastics. “We’re really excited about the launch of BamDeck Composite,” said Jeff Goldberg, CEO of Cali Bamboo. “Not only is it the ultimate green choice in outdoor decking, but it’s incredibly easy to install using the hidden fastening system. Another factor that residential...