HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN—At the far end of the pier in the climate-smart district of Oceanhamnen, Scandic announces the opening of its second hotel in Helsingborg, Scandic Oceanhamnen. The hotel, which has 184 rooms on 13 floors as well as a relaxation area and rooftop terrace, is located on the waterfront overlooking the Öresund sound. Scandic Oceanhamnen has been designed according to the Sweden Green Building Council Gold standard and has been certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the official ecolabel of the Nordic countries. Scandic Oceanhamnen is nestled in a rapidly growing residential and commercial area just minutes from the city...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—A study from the University of California, Davis, reveals that microplastics can carry land-based pathogens to the oceans, posing a threat to the health of humans and wildlife alike. Bluewater, a world-leading innovator of water purification solutions designed to end the need for single-use plastic bottles, said the study’s findings highlighted the need to celebrate, protect and restore our planet. A UC Davis press release said the study by a team of its university researchers had indicated that, by hitchhiking on microplastics, pathogens can disperse throughout the ocean, reaching places a land parasite wouldn’t be found usually. The study, published in the Scientific Reports journal,...

NEW YORK—Humanscale’s newly-launched Path task chair has been awarded a 2022 iF DESIGN AWARD, bolstering the company’s status as a leading designer of high-performance solutions for work-life and beyond. Receiving nearly 11,000 submissions from 70 countries this year, the iF DESIGN AWARD is recognized as a symbol of design excellence and innovation worldwide. Path was selected to receive this prestigious honor by the 132-member jury, consisting of high-profile design experts from over 20 countries, and joins the brand’s portfolio of award-winning solutions, including the Nova task light, Freedom chair, Float sit/stand desk, Diffrient Smart chair, and M2 Monitor Arm. Designed by Todd Bracher and the Humanscale Design Studio,...

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...