If you recycle PET plastic, and it is likely that you do, you should be aware of the goals of the PET Recycling Coalition, an initiative just launched by The Recycling Partnership. The Coalition’s work will focus on addressing four key opportunities to increase recycling of PET plastic: Increasing the capture of PET bottles; Broadening the acceptance of PET trays, cups, and clamshells in community recycling collection programs; Unlocking new supplies of recycled PET (rPET) for packaging manufacturers; and Strengthening recycling systems for pigmented and opaque PET. PET plastic is in high demand for use in textiles such as clothing...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Green Hotel Cards Inc. to the “Key Cards” section of its Green Product & Service Directory. Every day, 35,000 pounds of plastic cards are discarded by hotels and their guests, ultimately ending up in landfills across our country. How long will it take for our Earth to digest this plastic waste? At least 200 years. Don’t underestimate the impact of a key card. It is small, but it’s the first product you pass to your guests. Why not impress them from the very beginning? From recycled to paper or natural wood, you will...

LAS VEGAS—Wynn Resorts recently issued its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, defining the company’s important milestones in 2021. The report provides insight into key initiatives including the company’s continued commitment to decrease emissions; an enhanced Diversity and Inclusion program; a comprehensive Human Trafficking Prevention program; and transformative investments in the communities in which the company operates. “Wynn Resorts brings the same level of effort and dedication to our ESG efforts as we do to all our business operations. We focus those efforts around three key areas: Our People, Our Communities, and Our Planet,” said Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn...

It was almost three years ago that IHG Hotels & Resorts announced that its entire hotel estate would switch to bulk-size bathroom amenities, with the transition to be completed during 2021. It was before the pandemic that IHG made this announcement, so it is understandable that the company did not reach its goal by the end of last year. That said, it did make a lot of headway and just this past week it announced a global collaboration with Unilever to replace bathroom miniatures with bulk amenities in more than 4,000 hotels in IHG’s mainstream brands. All IHG markets...

NEW YORK—Ireland founded Easydry has achieved a global first as the first disposable towel company to receive B-Corp certification. Certification required testing Easydry on their social and environmental performance and the company’s ability to show full transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. Easydry’s global expansion and their U.S. operations in New York are supported by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish trade and innovation agency. CEO and founder Anne Butterly says: “I am so proud that Easydry has become a certified B Corp. I launched Easydry almost 20 years ago with sustainability...

DENHAM, U.K.—IHG Hotels & Resorts announces a global collaboration with consumer goods company Unilever to replace bathroom miniatures with bulk amenities* in over 4,000 hotels. In 2019, IHG became the first global hotel company to commit to all its hotel brands removing bathroom miniatures in favor of larger-size amenities, a key step in its pledge to eliminate single-use items throughout the guest stay by 2030. All IHG’s markets are now covered by bulk bathroom amenity contracts**. Unilever’s largest brand, Dove, will supply full-size hand wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion to IHG Essentials and Suites Collection hotels, including Holiday...

NATIONAL REPORT—U.S.-based RegenoPlast Materials LLC is distributing Storm Board, a replacement for plywood and wood fiber boards. Storm Board, comprised of 100 percent post-consumer and post-industrial mixed plastic waste, is currently made in the U.K. by Storm Board LLP. According to RegenoPlast Materials’ Chuck Mills, Storm Board was first introduced in Europe in 2011 and is comparable in size to plywood—a little larger than 4’ by 8’. Storm Board excels in wet environments, unlike wood-based products, and is impenetrable to rain and moisture. It will not rot, is resistant to microbial action, and is tough and versatile with a lower...

BANGKOK—Following the successful launch of Climate Warriors to mark Earth Day on April 22, this latest Grow With Six Senses children’s program has grown an extra set of wings at properties around the world. Climate Warriors is built on simple, tangible things children can do and enjoy doing, to combat climate change and play a positive role in their environments and communities. It was first trialed at Vooc Village at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam, as a two-day program with children learning simple eco-friendly habits and experiencing a host of fun activities before achieving their Climate Warrior status in the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The White House announced that the Department of the Interior will reduce and eventually phase out the sale of single-use plastic products in U.S. national parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands. The news comes after more than 300 organizations and nearly 70,000 individuals called on the Department of the Interior to act. To mark World Oceans Day 2022, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issued Secretary’s Order 3407, which initiates a plan “to reduce the procurement, sale, and distribution of single-use products and packaging.” The order is also designed to phase out all single-use plastic products across Department-managed lands by the year...

IRVINE, CALIF.—Sensor faucets may be smart, but they are not smart enough. So says Irvine, Calif.-based entrepreneur Joanna Boey. She is the VP Sales/Marketing for SmartFaucets, a company that focuses on improving the guest experience while reducing water consumption and related costs at the same time. You may have experienced malfunctioning sensor faucets—waving your hands with no response below the faucet. “Half the time the touchless faucet fails—the battery fails,” Boey says. The electronic eye can also get dirty, further increasing the chance of malfunction. The valve may also malfunction two or three times a year. Ultimately, the sensor faucet...