​​​​ORLANDO—Clean the World Foundation, a leader in global health dedicated to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and global sustainability, has joined forces with Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming to fight the spread of COVID-19. The organizations donated 350,000 bars of soap to Clean the World Foundation, which will be used to provide life-saving soap to individuals and families across the globe that are most vulnerable to hygiene-related illnesses. Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming currently participate in Clean the World’s Hospitality Recycling program. Through this program, room attendants collect the soap and bathroom amenities left behind by hotel guests and ship them...

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—Fuel, a leading provider of guest-facing hotel software solutions and digital marketing services for the global hospitality industry, has expanded the digital-key functionality of its industry-leading mobile application for independent and boutique hotels. Enabled through a successful integration with ASSA ABLOY, the world’s largest provider of hotel locking systems, the newly incorporated technology allows hotel properties with the Fuel Contactless Mobile App and ASSA ABLOY locking systems to let guests access their assigned guestrooms using their mobile phone as a digital key. With this feature enabled, guests can check in remotely, bypass the front desk, and go directly to their...

JERSEY CITY, N.J.—In about a year and a half, Pace Glass Inc. will open the world’s largest glass recycling facility in Andover, N.J. The 250,000 square foot plant will join the company’s Jersey City, N.J. facility and give the Northeast and beyond a means to recycle 800,000 tons of glass annually. George Valiotis, CEO of Pace Glass, says between 6 million and 7 million tons of glass were recycled in the United States last year. “Hotels have a unique opportunity to play an important part of this recycling infrastructure,” Valiotis says. “They have a lot of waste they could divert.” Less...

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—Santa Barbara-based eco-entrepreneurs are launching Hitch, a water bottle with a removable leak-proof cup hidden inside. The design of Hitch was born from a desire to make the reusable cup so effortless to carry that conscious consumers can easily ditch single-use cups and go zero waste. The creators of Hitch discovered that most people who carry a reusable bottle won’t also carry a reusable cup. In fact, even at forward-thinking coffee shops that promote reusable coffee cups as an alternative to single-use, adoption rates are low. As co-founder Sky Gilbar explains, “The essence of the problem is that...

Name: Yalmaz Siddiqui Title: V.P., Corporate Sustainability Company: MGM Resorts International Years in Current Position: Four Primary Responsibilities: “The main ones are to think about what the company should focus on. What should the company prioritize? To initiate new ideas. To start new things. To integrate the preferable habits and practices so they become normal. Partnering with marketing and social media to communicate.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in the area of global corporate responsibility: “There are many but our decision to create CityCenter—which was the world’s largest privately funded LEED certified development when it opened in 2009.” Organization’s most significant challenge moving forward in the...

BARRIE, ONT.—Busch Systems introduces recycling and waste receptacles made with CuVerro Shield protection, a U.S. EPA and Health Canada PMRA registered antimicrobial solution that kills greater than 99.9 percent of bacteria* within two hours. CuVerro Shield by Aereus Technologies is an antimicrobial copper alloy solution that kills greater than 99.9 percent of bacteria* within two hours and continues to kill more than 99.9 percent of bacteria* even after repeated contamination. The coating is tarnish-resistant, will not wash off, wear away or oxidize. In addition, CuVerro Shield is made from up to 100 percent recycled copper material and is 100 percent...

CARY, N.C.—Washington Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34) joined the Association of Washington Cities and INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in applauding Governor Inslee’s signing of HB 2565, a law intended to address the labeling of certain disposable wipes. The law, spearheaded by Rep. Fitzgibbon, Chairman of the Washington House Environment and Energy Committee, represents a months-long cooperative effort between a coalition of Washington wastewater and municipal sector stakeholders led by the Association of Washington Cities and INDA, the trade association representing the wipes industry. The groups came together to tackle the problem of consumers flushing baby wipes, surface cleaning...

COLORADO SPRING, COLO.—The rise of conscious traveling and resorts and destinations protecting, sustaining, and improving our planet is not only growing in popularity, but becoming the new norm for the travel and hospitality industry—something to celebrate as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22). The good news is that one of America’s most historic hotels is already implementing eco-sustainable and responsible practices, the longest running, consecutive Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond, The Broadmoor. Located in Colorado Springs, the 5,000 acre Broadmoor is one of the most unique resorts in the world offering luxury accommodations, award-winning dining, championship...

JOSEPH, MICH.—Whirlpool has a long, proud history of environmental sustainability and a strong track record of action and success. In 2019, the company raised the bar on its environmental commitments, and accelerated the progress of its short- and long-term goals that meet or exceed the Paris Accord,” said Marc Bitzer, Chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corp. “As we continue to navigate the impact of COVID-19, the health and safety of our employees and communities remain our priority. We strongly believe that our sustainability efforts are as important now as ever. These efforts are guided by a clear mission to...

NATIONAL REPORT—With so much attention on virus elimination given the COVID-19 pandemic, Green Lodging News has been exploring green cleaning technologies that make it easier for hoteliers to provide a safe, hygienic, disinfected environment for guests and employees. One such technology is electrochemical activation (ECA)—the process for creating electrolyzed water using a low electric charge and natural minerals. Hypochlorous acid, one of the sanitizers created from charged salt and water, has 80 to 200 times the sanitizing power of chlorine bleach, according to Larry Smith, Vice President of Sales for GenEon Technologies. In this article we will also explore...