NEW YORK—(re)x, an eco-design company founded by Los Angeles-based designer Paulina Quintana, is introducing at NY NOW a new hanger made from 100 percent recycled plastic that is gathered from the ocean or intercepted before entering the ocean. The (re)x hanger was named “Best in NY NOW Show” in the sustainability category by the New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Assn. “We need to change people’s relationship to plastic,” said (re)x CEO Quintana. “Our mission is to create sustainable solutions for everyday products and turn them into an opportunity to remove plastic waste from the environment. The...

DELAVAN, WIS.—Companies that are looking to improve their cash flow are celebrating the new Alternative Utility Services, Inc. (AUS Energy) nationwide Waste and Recycling Consulting Program. Most businesses produce a sizeable amount of trash and recyclables every day, then use a local waste hauler to remove the accumulated trash on a set schedule. Typically, that is a process very few businesses give much thought to—if the waste is removed regularly, the business pays whatever the waste hauler quoted for their service. But waste haulers are in business to make a profit, and therefore rarely recommend more efficient or cost-effective trash removal...

LOS ANGELES—Following the release of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) urgent climate warning, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz (CD5) and Mike Bonin (CD 11) got approved by City Council a motion institutionalizing their Regenerate LA healthy soils initiative, which they are calling “an antidote to global warming.” The legislative action will help to “drawdown,” or pull greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through a holistic, comprehensive effort by using the City’s annual estimated 280,000 tons of food waste to build healthy soils on parklands and open space. In the wake of the COVID-19 economic crisis, the additional...

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP)—a purpose driven Holistic Hospitality company—redoubled its commitment to its core values of healthy, kind, and green. Specifically, SCP announced it will become fully vegetarian across all its venues, will achieve net zero waste company-wide, and will standardize all its guestrooms on its signature “Peaceful Rooms” design, which provides sleep and relaxation experiences centered on non-toxic, plant-based bedding and Zen design elements, but which are free from traditional guestroom distractions such as clocks and TVs. SCP’s goal is to fully implement these three new programs during 2022. “Born out of a vision to help...

FREMONT, CALIF.—Power Knot LLC, a market leader for on-site organic waste management solutions, announced that it has successfully installed an LFC-500 biodigester at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. The LFC-500 biodigester is capable of digesting up to 1500 kg (3300 lb) of food waste per day. The Maldives is a nation of small islands in the Indian Ocean that is a popular tourist destination spot. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is a natural 44-acre wilderness in the secluded Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The resort incorporates 103 thatched bungalows and villas of contemporary Maldivian design, featuring four restaurants and bars as well as...

BOCA RATON, FLA.—4ocean, a purpose-driven B Corp with a mission to end the ocean plastic crisis, announced their partnership with Poralu Marine, a global leader in marine-grade technologies, on the launch of the BeBot in the United States, a beach cleaning robot designed to recover coastal plastic debris. The electric-powered BeBot can clean up to 3,000 sqm of beach per hour, 20 to 30x more effective than collecting trash by hand. The machine is agile and easy to maneuver, a clear differentiator from existing options, and it specifically excels at removing small pieces of plastic and other trash that are...

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIF.—Melissa, a leading provider of global data quality and address management solutions, announced its Global Green initiative, a cohesive program of sustainable work practices implemented at its corporate locations across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and India. “With our global presence, we recognize the opportunity for positive impact on the broad regional areas we serve,” said Greg Brown, Vice President, Global Marketing, Melissa. “Our offices reduce, re-use, and recycle—in alignment with our overall values and corporate mandate to help businesses reduce mail waste and eliminate returned shipments. We are also expanding our existing pre-pandemic policies to include...

TORONTO—1 Hotels, the mission-driven, sustainable, luxury hospitality brand has opened 1 Hotel Toronto, the sixth property in its portfolio, in partnership with Mohari Hospitality. To mark its Canadian debut, the hotel hosted a ceremonial tree planting with Tree Canada whereby 2021 native trees will be planted throughout the city. “1 Hotel Toronto sets a new standard for responsible luxury hospitality and serves as a city escape where guests can connect with nature,” said 1 Hotels Founder and CEO & Chairman of Starwood Capital Group, Barry Sternlicht. “1 Hotels embraces the idea that living well includes protecting the natural beauty around us...

My family and I just returned from a week of vacation in New Mexico. I love the West and it was a great opportunity to visit natural destinations as well as businesses. We ate out the entire time and one thing I encountered repeatedly was over portioning of food. At an eatery in Santa Fe, I ordered a chicken dish that easily could have fed several people. Perhaps you have encountered this trend in your travels? “When eating at many restaurants, it’s hard to miss that portion sizes have gotten larger in the last few years,” the CDC says. When vacationing,...

KOHLER, WIS.—Kohler Co., a global leader in the innovation and manufacture of plumbing products; tile, cabinetry and lighting; and engines, generators and clean energy solutions, released its annual 2020 Believing in Better Metrics Report outlining progress in reducing the company’s GHG emission intensity, waste to landfill intensity, water use intensity and other key social and environmental commitments. Kohler is committed to providing access to safe water for communities around the globe, delivering innovative solutions to address pressing social issues and strengthening its efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion. “While Kohler celebrates creativity, diversity, and innovation in all its forms, we know we...