NATIONAL REPORT—Key cards have become a symbol of the hospitality world, acting as a unique customer touchpoint. Did you know that plastic cards aren’t a business’ only option? The hospitality sector has undergone a significant shift in terms of what key card material options a business can choose, especially as eco-conscious practices take center stage. The advancement from keys to electronic cards has streamlined guest access and security, but the materials used in these cards matter almost as much as the technology they contain. Selecting the right material not only enhances functionality but also supports sustainability goals and communicates your...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Sustainability is no longer an optional consideration for the hospitality industry—it is a business imperative. With buildings accounting for 1 percent of global carbon emissions and hotels producing significantly more energy usage than other types of structures, the call for sustainable practices in hospitality has never been louder. According to Booking.com, 83 percent of travelers believe sustainable travel is essential, and the demand for eco-friendly hospitality is growing dramatically. This article explores the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry, showcases real-life examples of sustainable practices in action, and highlights key trends and strategies hotels with a sustainability mindset can adopt...

Today’s design decisions for the hospitality industry, and the built environment generally, will have an impact on human health, ecosystem health, and planetary health for generations. So, it’s important that “cost” is appropriately defined and understood. This is made more complicated by a lack of published information (the majority of products used in the built environment do not fully disclose their contents and only a small minority of HPDs are prepared by an independent third party) and the prevalence of greenwashing. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or simply “vinyl”) is very familiar to many designers and has been for decades, so understandably,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs), properly maintained, are a reliable source for heating and cooling hotel guestrooms and other small spaces for up to seven to 10 years. Not properly maintained, and especially in higher-humidity environments, PTACs have a shorter life and can keep hoteliers—and guests—up at night and be the reason for negative reviews and lost room revenue. It is at the “end of their life” that PTACS truly become problematic. Do you send a PTAC to a landfill? Nathan Faircloth, Director/Business Development & Vendor Management, RoomOne Solutions, says the landfill option is not a good one for...

FONTANELLATO, ITALY & PLYMOUTH, MINN.—A new era for sustainable coffee begins with KEYGEA, the innovative compostable single-serve pod born from the synergy between FLO Group, a leading European player in the vending and food packaging sector, and NatureWorks, the world’s largest producer of PLA-based biopolymers. Designed to meet the growing demand for renewable solutions in the North American market, KEYGEA combines sustainability and outstanding performance, ensuring flawless coffee extraction without compromise on quality. Made with Ingeo PLA, a biopolymer derived from renewable resources, KEYGEA is a sustainable innovation for the future of coffee and a true revolution in the pod industry. It’s certified...

TRENTO, ITALY—What was once considered impossible is now within reach. After more than ten years of relentless research and innovation, Aquafil has unveiled a breakthrough in textile recycling: the world’s first demonstration plant capable of chemically separating elastic fibers from nylon. This pioneering technology tackles one of the textile industry’s most complex challenges, opening the door to new possibilities in recycling and circularity, confirming Aquafil’s role at the forefront of responsible innovation. The story began in 2013, when Aquafil partnered with Georgia Tech University to explore solutions for recycling mixed fibers—a task long deemed insurmountable. Although the initial patent did...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS), a pioneer and international leader in third-party sustainability and environmental certifications, announces the first events certified under the SCS Zero Waste Standard—two Dell Technologies Forum Events in India. Organized by Kestone Global and in consultation with Saahas Zero Waste, these regional events were held in Mumbai and Bangalore and achieved 98.64 percent and 92.88 percent diversion, respectively. The third-party certification from SCS was awarded after completing a comprehensive waste assessment, including an on-site audit during the events to verify successful diversion of waste from landfill through recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, and resale. “The events were an integrated approach...

NEW YORK—IceStone, a leader in sustainable and eco-friendly countertops, announces the launch of its latest color, Marine Pearl. Marine Pearl features a serene white background adorned with blue-greenish glass, clear glass, and mother of pearl. The design has a sophisticated look that can complement a variety of spaces, making it a versatile choice for both modern and classic design aesthetics. Inspired by the beauty of the ocean, Marine Pearl falls right in line with IceStone’s tradition of using nature as inspiration when creating names for the colors in its collection. Like all IceStone surfaces, Marine Pearl is crafted from 100 percent recycled glass and cement, ensuring a non-toxic, sustainable,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Keeping waste management simple and organized is the aim of Thin Bin Waste Management Solutions from Hospeco Brands Group, which has been at the forefront of thoughtful innovation in the away-from-home market for more than a century. The heart of the system is the newly designed 23-gallon Thin Bin. Its slim profile and generous capacity maximize waste collection in tight spaces. The design includes a low-profile handle, perfect for placement against walls, with a surprisingly deep grip. A convenient footstep helps secure the bin while removing bags, and innovative air venting ensures a quick bag release. A second discreet...

Earlier this month Green Lodging News reported that University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers have detected microplastics in human brains at much higher concentrations than in other organs—and the plastic accumulation appears to be growing over time, having increased 50 percent over just the past eight years. Microplastics—tiny bits of degraded polymers that are ubiquitous in our air, water and soil—have lodged themselves throughout the human body, including the liver, kidney, placenta and testes, over the past half century. The constant use and laundering that hotel fabrics endure result in a vast amount of unavoidable synthetic textile shedding, contributing to...