EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS), a pioneer and international leader in third-party sustainability and environmental certifications, announces the first events certified under the SCS Zero Waste Standard—two Dell Technologies Forum Events in India. Organized by Kestone Global and in consultation with Saahas Zero Waste, these regional events were held in Mumbai and Bangalore and achieved 98.64 percent and 92.88 percent diversion, respectively. The third-party certification from SCS was awarded after completing a comprehensive waste assessment, including an on-site audit during the events to verify successful diversion of waste from landfill through recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, and resale. “The events were an integrated approach...

NEW YORK—IceStone, a leader in sustainable and eco-friendly countertops, announces the launch of its latest color, Marine Pearl. Marine Pearl features a serene white background adorned with blue-greenish glass, clear glass, and mother of pearl. The design has a sophisticated look that can complement a variety of spaces, making it a versatile choice for both modern and classic design aesthetics. Inspired by the beauty of the ocean, Marine Pearl falls right in line with IceStone’s tradition of using nature as inspiration when creating names for the colors in its collection. Like all IceStone surfaces, Marine Pearl is crafted from 100 percent recycled glass and cement, ensuring a non-toxic, sustainable,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Keeping waste management simple and organized is the aim of Thin Bin Waste Management Solutions from Hospeco Brands Group, which has been at the forefront of thoughtful innovation in the away-from-home market for more than a century. The heart of the system is the newly designed 23-gallon Thin Bin. Its slim profile and generous capacity maximize waste collection in tight spaces. The design includes a low-profile handle, perfect for placement against walls, with a surprisingly deep grip. A convenient footstep helps secure the bin while removing bags, and innovative air venting ensures a quick bag release. A second discreet...

Earlier this month Green Lodging News reported that University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers have detected microplastics in human brains at much higher concentrations than in other organs—and the plastic accumulation appears to be growing over time, having increased 50 percent over just the past eight years. Microplastics—tiny bits of degraded polymers that are ubiquitous in our air, water and soil—have lodged themselves throughout the human body, including the liver, kidney, placenta and testes, over the past half century. The constant use and laundering that hotel fabrics endure result in a vast amount of unavoidable synthetic textile shedding, contributing to...

NEW YORK—The Good Plastic Company has unveiled GROWTH, a new collection of Polygood patterns designed in collaboration with Gensler, the global design firm, serving as product design consultant. Expanding the brand’s signature Cradle to Cradle, 100 percent recycled and recyclable polystyrene panels, GROWTH reimagines traditional surface materials—marble, terrazzo, and beyond—and supports a circular approach to product design. Thoughtfully created to honor nature’s delicate balance, this refreshing series transforms waste into beauty, blending design innovation with environmental impact. “We are delighted to collaborate with The Good Plastic Company on this new collection of Polygood patterns for horizontal application,” says Scott Star, Director of Product Development at Gensler....

NATIONAL REPORT—Many organizations delegate the HR department to manage their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and sustainability is an incremental component of such efforts. However, an organization’s sustainability efforts go beyond building a strong employment brand for current and prospective employees. It also affects a company’s bottom line. Hotels, for example, ensure guests continue to choose their property amongst the rest by providing great customer experiences, high-quality services, and a comfortable stay. Recently, another factor affecting travelers’ hotel choice and perception of a hotel brand is on the rise in importance: sustainability. Sustainability is becoming a core focus as it...

MINNEAPOLIS—BOKSER Textiles, a leading provider of hospitality textiles, announces the adoption of CiCLO technology, a patented textile ingredient designed to help reduce the impacts of microplastic pollution from synthetic fabrics. The new Shoreline Collection of Top Sheets, made from recycled polyester and infused with CiCLO biodegradable technology, helps deliver a new level of sustainability to the hospitality linens category by reducing the persistence of microplastic pollution in the environment. The Shoreline Collection top sheets will be available at select GLō by Best Western branded hotels beginning this year. The BOKSER and CiCLO partnership introduces a new offering for hotel groups...

LONDON—Winnow, a market-leader in AI-powered food waste management, announced an exclusive partnership with zero-waste chef and pioneer Vojtech Végh. As Winnow’s new Zero Waste Culinary Advisor, Vojtech brings his expertise in helping chefs to reimagine food waste. The focus of the partnership will be on reducing trimmings waste—an often-overlooked opportunity in commercial kitchens. “I’m thrilled to join Winnow as their new Zero Waste Culinary Advisor,” said Vojtech. “I’ve spent my career reimagining what’s possible with wasted ingredients. Winnow’s data shines a critical light on what ends up in the bin, and I see enormous potential in what we can achieve...

NATIONAL REPORT—If you knew the history of the leather that you buy, would you still buy it? While there are degrees of severity, depending on the supplier, the leather that you specify for furniture, headboards or other items often has a dirty past—from the breeding of the animal (most likely a cow) to the processing of the leather from that animal. Factors to consider when buying leather range from its geographical source—China, the largest leather producing country, or maybe Brazil, where cattle ranching for beef and leather production is the main cause of deforestation in the Amazon—to its biodegradability. There...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers have detected microplastics in human brains at much higher concentrations than in other organs—and the plastic accumulation appears to be growing over time, having increased 50 percent over just the past eight years. Microplastics—tiny bits of degraded polymers that are ubiquitous in our air, water and soil—have lodged themselves throughout the human body, including the liver, kidney, placenta and testes, over the past half century. In a new study published in Nature Medicine, a team led by toxicologist Matthew Campen, PhD, Distinguished and Regents’ Professor in the UNM College of Pharmacy, reported that plastic...