KINGSTON, JAMAICA—The Tourism Enhancement (TEF) has invested approximately $6.9 million in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day initiative, which is spearheaded locally by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET). Speaking at the launch of the event on August 19, in Port Royal, Jamaica, TEF’s Executive Director, Dr. Carey Wallace, stated that the partnership with JET not only improves the island's tourism product but also encourages a behavioral change in the people that is required to combat pollution in the long run. “The assets of Jamaica, from a tourism perspective, its natural beauty and, obviously, it makes sense for us to invest...

MCLEAN, VA.—Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership with skin care brand Aesop. Select formulations, available in signature Aesop aromas, will now be the in-room toiletries for Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts worldwide. This collaboration marks the first and only global hospitality brand with which Aesop has partnered to provide its product at this scale. “This new partnership is an exciting moment for our luxury portfolio and represents Waldorf Astoria’s and Hilton’s ongoing commitment to offering exceptional amenities to loyal guests. As we reinvigorate our amenities around the world, aligning with Aesop’s global recognition and reputation as an industry...

CHICAGO—As inflation, supply chain challenges, labor issues, and increased food costs bedevil operators, many are seeking ways to control expenses. Reducing back-of-the-house food waste is one of them. From using technology to track the amount of waste they produce to monitoring how much food they purchase to using up the ingredients stored in their pantries and walk-ins, restaurateurs are getting more creative about operating more efficiently. Swapping Supplies Chad Langston, District Manager for a Zaxby’s franchise in Clarkesville, Ga., says his group of 12 stores controls costs by communicating regularly and swapping supplies. Each store purchases what they need, and then trades and shares...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), a self-funded business council advancing sustainability in the vinyl industry, has welcomed CFL Flooring as the newest member of the council. VSC membership is reserved for organizations taking a leadership role to advance sustainability throughout the vinyl industry. “We’re pleased to add CFL Flooring to our list of more than 55 members demonstrating a commitment to sustainability efforts in their business practices,” said Jay Thomas, VSC Executive Director. “Collaborating with CFL Flooring in these efforts helps advance the impact of sustainable flooring products and continue to add value for consumers.” CFL Flooring is the largest manufacturer of...

NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has earned two major awards from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for major and impactful initiatives aimed at reducing the facility’s environmental footprint. The Environmental Leadership Program Awards, given to the Center in the Community Environmental Outreach category, as well as the Energy and Water Pollution Reduction category, recognize outstanding activities and projects that demonstrate environmental leadership and the pursuit of a cleaner, safer environment. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center representatives were recognized for their efforts at the Environmental Leadership Program Awards earlier this year in Baton Rouge. To be considered for...

If you have an f&b operation in your hotel, even if it is just serving breakfast, you will benefit from a new guide from an organization called Beyond Plastics. The guide is titled, “Hold the Plastic, Please: A Restaurant’s Guide to Reducing Plastic.” The 47-page guide, which is free and available online for anyone to access, states that a shocking 44 percent of plastic litter in the ocean consists of takeout food and drink containers. (The second biggest source is fishing gear.) The Guide not only states the problem with plastics; it offers plastics reduction suggestions as well. The Guide begins...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa, which debuted in February of this year, announced its collaboration with MindClick, a Product Intelligence company that rates the environmental and social impact of manufacturers and their products. In support of carbon reduction, the heath of people and the planet, Highgate—which manages the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa—worked closely with MindClick to carefully select products for the hotel. During the hotel’s $70-million-dollar reimagination, this partnership dramatically improved the project’s environmental impact while also supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the supply chain. “From the very beginning of this milestone renovation located in the heart of San Francisco, we...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Jumeirah Beach Hotel is saying goodbye to single-use plastic bottles by installing a top-of-the-range Nordaq glass bottling plant at the resort. With roughly 300 million tons of plastic produced each year and nearly 8.8 million tons dumped directly into our oceans, the Dubai family resort is contributing to the fight against discarded plastic by replacing single-use water bottles in its rooms and suites with reusable glass bottles. The hotel’s in-house water treatment and bottling operations will eliminate single-use bottles and give guests an eco-friendly alternative. This is in-line with the Dubai Can initiative from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin...

SAN DIEGO—Hotels and resorts struggling with loss of towels have a new option for their guest’s makeup removal and hygiene needs. Continuing in its spirit of innovation, Nimbus has debuted a new plant-based towel that can be used on the face, body, and even surfaces to clean away dirt and germs while also carrying several eco-friendly credentials including being FSC Certified, compostable, reusable, plastic-free, and flushable. These towels come in a compressed form when shipped and expand when water is added so companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their ESG ratings stand to benefit by replacing...

RED BANK, N.J.—LowTides Ocean Products launched a Multipurpose Beachpac to their collection of sustainable and stylish beach gear. The N.J.-based eco-focused company worked with REPREVE’s recycled fiber technology to develop the stylish beach chair accessory, which easily connects to all Season 3 Dune High Beach Chairs. Available in two colors, including one that coordinates with the top-selling Laura Ashley x LowTides Collection, the Multipurpose Beachpacs can be purchased online at www.lowtidesop.com. “Our goal is to develop sustainable products that serve a beach goer. A water-resistant crossbody that can easily connect to a LowTides chair seems the most sensible way to promote...