HORSHAM, PENN.—Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, has released its new line of Papernet solutions, Papernet Designed for Business, available for order via Amazon. The range features hygiene essentials—including paper towels, toilet paper and kitchen towels—designed, packaged and sold specifically for businesses of all sizes in plastic-free packaging to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment. “Businesses such as restaurants and retailers must consider ways to enhance the customer experience in order to secure loyalty and encourage repeat visits and positive word of mouth,” said Fabio Vitali, Vice President of Marketing, Sofidel. “Cleanliness plays...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—The summer of 2021 is expected to focus on domestic travel. And as people are preparing to explore more areas of their home terrain, there are already reports of increased littering and fears of congestion at popular destinations this summer. To help address this, Scandic has launched a program that rewards travelers who show extra consideration for others and nature this summer. By committing to adhere to Scandic’s list of ten good habits for summer travel, travelers can earn points for future stays at Scandic hotels. The habits have been developed by Scandic’s sustainability department and cover everything from...

PARIS—Groupe GM, one of the leading international amenities companies, announced the launch of Ecofill, the first refillable cosmetics dispenser on the market that is 100 percent traceable. The Ecofill dispenser is one of Groupe GM’s Care About Earth initiatives, which aim to reduce the group’s carbon footprint and contribute to sustainability for generations to come. Through the Care About Earth program—Groupe GM’s comprehensive development initiative covering all the company’s environmental and social actions—Groupe GM highlights its ongoing commitment to the environment. Since the launch of the Care About Earth in 2018, Groupe GM has launched several sustainable initiatives that are helping it to become as environmentally friendly and aware as possible. “As a company, our priority lies in contributing to...

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) have launched a major new report addressing the complex issue of single-use plastic products (SUPP) within Travel & Tourism. The report is entitled, “Rethinking Single-Use Plastic Products in Travel & Tourism.” (To read the report in full, click here.) It is intended to help stakeholders take collective steps towards coordinated actions and policies that drive a shift towards reduce and reuse models. The report’s recommendations include redefining unnecessary single-use plastic products in the context of one’s own business; giving contractual preference to suppliers of reusable products;...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS), a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification services, announced that Welspun Flooring Limited has become the first company to achieve certification under SCS’ new Zero Waste Standard. This new global certification standard enables companies to demonstrate the degree to which their waste streams are prevented, reused, or diverted from the landfill. SCS’ independent certification audit, including on-site inspection, confirmed that Welspun Flooring’s Telangana, India manufacturing facility has achieved 98 percent diversion of waste from landfill through a combination of recycling, waste reclamation, co-processing (including waste-to-energy), composting and storage. The resulting certification captures the...

Every day is Earth Day when you care deeply about the environment or planet. You might already be saving our planet by turning off lights in unoccupied rooms. You could even be recycling plastic, paper, or aluminum cans. Living Green is straightforward, and uncomplicated. It only requires compassion for our environment. Even tiny lifestyle adjustments, such as water conservation, can have a significant impact on the environment. Water conservation is the simplest way to help our planet. That is why it is critical to examine how we consume water. Installing a water filter is a minor change, but it has...

NATIONAL REPORT—Green Lodging News recently reached out to our industry’s amenities companies, giving them each an opportunity to highlight one of their latest products. Not every company responded but here is a roundup of what each company sent to me—in no particular order and in their words: Kure Kure’s stainless brackets and aluminum cylinders offer a more sustainable, elegant alternative to plastic dispensers. Catering to luxury hoteliers and discerning guests, Kure dispensers stand out for their sophisticated beauty, customized designs, and ease of use. Sleek aluminum and stainless design; no plastic bottles Fully customizable digital printing; Stock designs also available Easy...

NATIONAL REPORT—The concept of sustainability has been around for decades, popularized by the First World Climate Conference in 1979, the inception of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993, and the publication of Vice President Al Gore’s book about climate change (An Inconvenient Truth) in 2006. While other building types were early to adopt this concept, hospitality seemed slow to embrace green building design. Today, hospitality design is making noticeable changes to catch up. Impact on the Environment The world’s environment is affected primarily by real estate, transportation, and manufacturing. Due to the influence that these industries have on...

TORONTO—1 Hotels, the mission-driven, sustainable, luxury hospitality brand is now accepting reservations for its soon-to-open retreat located in the heart of Toronto beginning August 4, 2021. This is the first location in Canada for the award-winning, nature-focused hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, CEO and Chairman of Starwood Capital Group. The iconic King Street West property was acquired and redeveloped as a luxury lifestyle destination by Mohari Hospitality, a real estate investment company founded by the entrepreneurial investor Mark Scheinberg. The design was developed in collaboration with SH Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Starwood Capital Group, and famed architect and designer...

HONG KONG—In October 2019, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) pledged to eliminate all single-use plastic (SUP) across its portfolio of luxury hotels by the end of March 2021. Three months on from that deadline, the Group has made significant progress towards meeting the goal, despite ongoing challenges. By the end of Q1 2021, the Group had achieved nearly 70 percent reduction in this annual plastic footprint. Based on estimated plastic stock depletion timelines and supplier delivery commitments, it is expected that all hotels will eliminate SUP by the end of Q1 2022, avoiding 930 tons of plastic waste each year. The principal...