On average, nearly 70 million tons of food is wasted each year in the United States. With the novel coronavirus COVID-19 effectively turning the world upside down, this number promises to increase. Among those expected to experience an increase in food waste generated on-site is the hospitality industry. As short-term lodging sites and hotels adjust their practices and occupancy levels, food is discarded at a higher rate due to a lack of sales or guests. Hotels have typically been at the forefront of the food waste challenge in the hospitality industry. Overnight guests are known for adding to the amount...

LONDON—A pasta straw company, Stroodles, has launched to provide an environmentally friendly solution to the single-use plastic crisis and rise of greenwashing from the paper straw industry. In comparison to soggy paper and plastic straws, Stroodles are an improvement as they provide greater durability, are flavourless, vegan, 100 percent biodegradable and are edible raw or cooked after use. A core principle for Stroodles is their “drink-easy” ethos, meaning drinkers don’t have to change behaviour or compromise on drinking experience to do good for the environment. Speaking about the inception of his pasta straws, Chief Stroodle and Founder, Maxim Gelmann, says: “While we’re...

Here is a challenge for all of you: Given the current pandemic, still try your hardest to do things in a sustainable manner—focusing on worker and guest safety, energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and enhancing, not worsening indoor air quality. With each step you take to stop COVID-19, ask yourself if you are helping or hindering environmental protection. I know it will not be an easy thing to do, or even accomplishable in some cases, given the severity of the virus. This past week I heard from Allied Feather + Down. The maker of bedding is now manufacturing reusable...

RIVIERA BEACH, SINGER ISLAND, FLA.—Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa has earned Green Key Global’s ultimate honor: a 4 Green Keys rating. It is the first hotel in Palm Beach County to achieve the designation, which is reserved for hotels that show national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through wide-ranging policies and practices. Coupled with Marriott’s Commitment to Clean, spearheaded by the Marriott Cleanliness Council, the resort is committed to providing guests with a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols for working to defeat COVID-19. Green Key Global is a leading international environmental...

PALMA, SPAIN—The current health crisis has revealed the low levels of protection for the most vulnerable people in society, as well as the enormous difficulty they have in getting access to basic products to protect themselves from coronavirus. The situation is particularly relevant in developing countries where local communities lack the most basic health infrastructure and protection systems. Meliá Hotels International and Diversey have joined forces once again to work to support the health needs of the most vulnerable local communities. The project comes after another circular economy project named Soap For Hope which both companies have been working on...

MINNEAPOLIS—Meyers, a national leader in brand marketing and high-end commercial printing, announced that it has created a solution that will help the hotel industry offer contactless check-in and room access. Meyers has developed a paper RFID key card—called the AssureCard—that looks and feels like a plastic key card but is made from renewable paper pulp and may be disposed of after a single use. In addition, Meyers has developed a low-cost key card dispenser that allows the customer to get their own card(s) while maintaining appropriate physical distancing with hotel employees. “Hotels typically reuse key cards for multiple guests, and...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Usually around Earth day, the conversation centers around sustainability targets, taking on more environmental responsibility, and raising awareness of the dangers of waste and pollution. This year, things have been different. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many plans, and people celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day at home. The entire planet is going through an uncertain period, and although other health and economy headlines are under the spotlight, climate actions remain just as important. According to the UN’s Emissions Gap Report 2019, global CO2 emissions need to drop by 7.6 percent this year if we want to keep global heating...

Name: Theresa van Greunen Title: Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications Company: Aqua-Aston Hospitality Years in Current Position: Two (with Aqua-Aston since 2015) Primary Responsibilities: “I play a unique role. The company has allowed me to carve out my own initiatives. I often partner with the operations team. I have been able to create new initiatives. Strategy is a big part of my job and keeping my ear to the ground and knowing what we can make positive change around.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in global corporate responsibility: “Developing the corporate social responsibility program, Advocate with Aqua-Aston, and most notably, the #ForOurReef campaign.” Organization’s most significant...

ATLANTA—Throughout the current pandemic, Atlanta’s historic Stonehurst Place has continued to provide a safe place to stay for travelers in search of boutique luxury—all with a dose of eco-friendliness thrown in. The eight-suite property, owned by Barb Shadomy and first constructed in 1896, has features including a solar thermal system for water heating, a greywater recycling system, and rainwater purification system. “My partner and I purchased Stonehurst in 2007 and after 14 months of intense renovation, I returned the grand old lady back to her youthful self—with a few modern and green improvements,” Shadomy says. “We have not closed during the current...

NEW YORK—Equo Straws, the versatile eco-friendly alternative to plastic and paper straws, are now available on Kickstarter. They are biodegradable, uniquely functional to suit different tastes and behaviors, and made from all-natural ingredients. The Equo Team strove to produce a range of what is possible in the development of eco-friendly straws through the company’s innovative use of materials from nature. The multi-colored Equo Straws’ product line includes four choices with unique characteristics: Rice Straws—Made from rice and tapioca starch and available in plant-based, natural colors including white, green, pink, blue, yellow (After use, these can be cooked down and are fully...