SEDONA, ARIZ.—The Kings Ransom Sedona Hotel is following in the responsible footsteps of its sister property, the Kings Ransom Inn, by converting 95 guestrooms into EcoRoom Accommodations. The positive guest reviews, good corporate citizenship and savings from reduced utility and waste costs convinced the owners it was the proper path to follow. Both properties are located amongst the stunning red rock beauty of Sedona, Ariz. In an effort to assist in the protection of that environment, the hotels have contracted Green Suites Hotel Solutions, a leading supplier of environmental products and programs, to convert each guestroom with standard amenities into...

LAS VEGAS—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas, two Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., Las Vegas resorts, the agency’s WasteWise New Partner Gold Achievement Award. The Gold Achievement Award is presented to new partners that implement successful comprehensive waste reduction programs that epitomize the objectives of the EPA’s WasteWise program. The first casino entertainment company to be awarded an EPA WasteWise Gold Achievement Award, Harrah’s is also the only national casino entertainment company to belong to the EPA’s WasteWise member list. “Harrah’s Entertainment employees at the Bally’s Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas hotel implemented an impressive array...

PUNTA GORDA, BELIZE—The management at Machaca Hill Lodge, located in southern Belize, is offering guests another way to preserve the sensitive environment surrounding the rainforest canopy lodge. The PURE H2O station allows eco-conscious travelers to refill their aluminum water bottles, provided upon check-in, whether they’re heading out on an adventure or spending time by the pool. “Now our guests can truly utilize their welcome gifts, and hopefully we’re planting the ‘seed’ here at Machaca Hill that will reinforce the value and importance of reutilization of products and enable them to go home and continue with this practice,” said Brian Gardiner,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes FoodBizSupply.com as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. FoodBizSupply.com is a source for more than 400 sustainable tableware, paper products, catering supply products, to-go packaging, bags, green cleanup supplies, and much more. All products are biodegradable/compostable or recyclable. The website includes a Frequently Asked Questions area with information on PLA (polylactide) corn plastic and sugarcane bagasse, as well as links to information on composting and zero waste. For more information, e-mail rosetta@greenchoicevendors.com, call (888) 740-8831, or go to www.foodbizsupply.com.

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has partnered with CynerGreen to provide a “bottle free” solution for hotels and meeting planners looking to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. CynerGreen offers a complete line of hydration products and services including: adult and children’s reusable, stainless steel water bottles, HealthyTap natural portable water filters, reusable shopping bags, high volume hydration stations, and certification programs tailored to the hospitality and meetings industry. The company’s Bottle Free solutions pave the way for hotels, cities, communities, organizations, events and schools to eliminate...

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—Sustainable Living Group, Inc. recently announced its launch. It is a new company committed to providing the travel, industrial, hospitality and lifestyle industries with eco-friendly products made from sustainable resources. Sustainable Living Group was started because the founders believed there was a lack of everyday products that are made with sustainable materials—from simple necessities like shower caps and shower curtains to industrial products like biodegradable ponchos, coveralls and aprons. Sustainable Living Group is committed to driving sustainability to the mainstream by providing quality and innovative products that have a positive impact on the planet. By striving to design...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—The Vancouver Convention Centre announced that its iconic West building, opened in April 2009, has been awarded LEED Platinum certification for new construction by the Canada Green Building Council. Platinum is the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. “The Vancouver Convention Centre is the only convention centre in the world to receive the highest level of LEED certification,” says Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “Not only is the expanded Vancouver Convention Centre bringing economic benefits to the province and the tourism industry, but it’s a model of sustainability that will...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Westgate Resorts has partnered with Clean the World to recycle all the partially used amenities from their Central Florida hotel rooms. Clean the World sanitizes the soap and shampoo that would have been discarded, ending up in landfills, and distributes these amenities to needy people around the world. “By joining our Hospitality Recycling Program, Westgate Resorts will help provide even more supplies for those in desperate need,” said Shawn Seipler, co-founder and executive director of Clean the World. Through the Clean the World Hospitality Recycling Program hotels donate a tax-deductible fee in exchange for the collection, recycling and...

CHICAGO—Protect-A-Bed, a leading provider of bedding protection products with a presence in 27 countries, announced its acquisition of London-based Shine Capital Europe LTD which distributes Protect-A-Bed products across Europe. The acquisition creates a formal corporate presence for Protect-A-Bed in Europe. Simon Zamet, owner of Shine Capital Europe LTD, has been named CEO for Protect-A-Bed Europe. Protect-A-Bed Europe sells products in the pest control, furniture and bedding, healthcare and retail industries. “This acquisition gives Protect-A-Bed a direct relationship with valuable customers across Europe,” said Protect-A-Bed CEO James Bell. “Simon’s team in London is perfectly positioned to continue growing Protect-A-Bed’s reputation...

KAANAPALI NORTH BEACH, MAUI—The newest full service hotel development on Kaanapali Beach, the Honua Kai Resort & Spa, has unveiled details of its comprehensive sustainability program—in line with the traditional Hawaiian concept of “malama aina,” (caring for the land). Honua Kai’ practices begin with the ocean, protect the surrounding beach, and extend to every room at the property. Honua Kai, which opened in January 2009, has its own director of sustainability, Lance Gilliland. “We call it ‘Eco-nomics,’—practices that are ecologically sound and economically feasible,” Gilliland says. “It just makes sense to conserve energy, re-use, recycle and protect the beautiful natural...