When thinking about resorts leading in sustainability, you don’t often think about RV resorts but there are some with very green stories to tell—the Golden Village Palms RV Resort in the San Jacinta Valley in California, for example. The property has been certified as the only RV resort within the California Green Business Network. Golden Village Palms Green Practices The use of energy efficient lighting. The use of certified non-toxic laundry, cleaning and building maintenance products in non-aerosol containers to reduce pollution. The donation of previously used furniture, supplies and materials to local nonprofit organizations for waste diversion. The placement...

HORSHAM, PENN.—Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, won a 2022 ISSA Innovation Award for its Papernet HyTech Seas dispensers. The dispensers are made using recovered ocean plastic, primarily from fishing lines, and Sofidel earned an Environment & Sustainability Award for its dedication to environmental innovation. “This award demonstrates our commitment to sustainability,” said Giorgia Giove, Marketing Manager at Sofidel America. “We are dedicated to developing products that help protect our planet now and into the future.” Sofidel’s Papernet HyTech Seas dispensers are made by taking recovered ocean plastic and turning it into an injectable material....

RICHMOND, B.C.—Ocean Legacy, a Canadian nonprofit organization that develops and implements worldwide plastic pollution programs, with the goal to end ocean plastic pollution, announced that they have produced the first commercially available plastic pellet in North America, called Legacy Plastic. Legacy Plastic is made from high-grade 100 percent post-consumer processed recycled plastic recovered during ocean, shoreline, and marine equipment cleanups. With the introduction of Legacy Plastic, companies can use recycled marine plastics in their products, continuing to close the loop on plastic management systems. “We soft launched Legacy Plastic in 2021 and we are thrilled with the amount of interest...

BANGKOK—Six Senses has always believed in taking guests beyond destinations into new experiences and cultures, so they feel the purpose behind their travels. But the past few years have provoked a renewed appreciation that exploration and escape go hand in hand with thinking about the impact this has on the environment and local communities. As a leading sustainability pioneer within the hospitality industry, Six Senses has set an audacious goal towards plastic freedom and committed to weaving long-term positive change into the fabric of every property. Following its pledge as a founding signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative in 2019,...

Reducing our industry’s environmental impact takes teamwork and making best practices easily available so that those who are not as far along the green path can copy and improve upon what has been done. That is the message behind the announcement this past week by AHLA to launch Responsible Stay, an industry-wide commitment to make meetings, events, and guest experiences in America’s hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. (See article on Green Lodging News.) The Responsible Stay website details the program’s principles and areas of focus, provides examples of what more than 20 companies are doing, features company success snapshots,...

As January 1, 2023, approaches, I still see confusion in handling the transition from single-use to cartridge and bulk-size dispensing amenity systems. My dos and don’ts primarily address independent lodging establishments such as hotels, motels, and resorts. The selection and investment in compliant replaceable and refillable pump dispenser solutions is a decision for operations, property, general managers, and housekeeping. Don’t: Make your final system decision based on hearsay or lodging speculation. Do: Base your transition on criteria detailed in the actual legal documents. The California Assembly Bill No. 1162 states that commencing January 1, 2023, for lodging establishments with more than 50...

ATLANTA—Georgia-Pacific has been recognized with an Innovation in Sustainability award for Juno Technology. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced its Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Sustainability Award winners, recognizing exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry. “This is the first year we are presenting awards in alignment with our new Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 sustainability goals and statement of principles on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “It is exciting to see examples of these goals in action.” Juno Technology is Georgia-Pacific’s breakthrough solution to waste...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced Responsible Stay, an industry-wide commitment to make meetings, events and guest experiences in America’s hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. Responsible Stay is focused on prioritizing hotels’ environmental sustainability efforts in four key areas: Energy efficiency: optimizing energy efficiency through operational improvements and adoption of clean energy technologies Waste reduction: investing in waste reduction programs and new, innovative alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste across properties Water conservation: ensuring the reduction of water usage by implementing water-efficient practices in core areas like laundry, food and beverage, and landscaping Responsible sourcing...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added World Amenities as a Founding Sponsor at the Bronze level. Founded in 2015, World Amenities, an Inc. 5000 company, is a trusted leading global manufacturer of environmentally friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable quality luxe skincare-based brands, custom amenities, bulk liquids, dispensers, and necessities. It brings over 20 years of experience in the innovation, production, and distribution of advanced skincare and cosmetic brands to more than 70 global markets in 40,000 plus hotels, salons, spas, and medical and educational sites. World Amenities has five distribution centers and uniquely designs, formulates, customizes, and manufactures each personal care...

Groupe GM recently marked 50 years of supplying amenities to the hotel industry. Throughout its many years in business, sustainability has remained a key focus—so much so that it formalized its green commitment in 2018 with its Care About Earth program. Aiming to strengthen the company’s environmental and social actions, the objective behind the program is to reduce the impact of the hospitality products on the environment. Groupe GM is an industry example of a company that has innovated toward less environmental impact while meeting the regulations of the many countries in which it does business. Groupe GM demonstrated its...