MINNEAPOLIS—Radisson Hotel Group will implement bulk amenity dispensers across all brands by the beginning of 2022, replacing small bottles for common bathroom products. This action will remove 57 million miniature amenities from circulation, avoiding the use of almost 500 tons of plastic annually. In addition, Radisson Hotel Group has a global commitment to #refusethestraw, ensuring plastic straws and plastic stirrers are no longer used in its hotels by 2021 and eco-friendly alternatives will be offered to guests upon request. Federico J. González Tejera, President & CEO, Radisson Hospitality AB and Chairman, Global Steering Committee, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Plastic pollution is one...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—VERO WATER, a leading provider of eco-friendly luxury still and sparkling water to the hospitality industry, announced the introduction of a new and improved Vero Signature glass bottle. The new Eco-Bottle maintains its sleek and elegant design and durable break-resistant glass structure that set the standard in the hospitality industry, but now features an innovative ink-free permanent logo decoration guaranteed never to fade, maximizing the eco-friendly reusable life of the bottle. The Vero Eco-Bottle features a wide mouth for optimal pouring, refilling and for sanitation in commercial dishwashers. In addition, the easy-grip twist cap that preserves sparkling...

NATIONAL REPORT—Humans strive to make life easy. It’s this desire to do less labor that, over our existence, has driven our imagination to invent more efficient ways of completing various tasks ranging from eating to traveling to communicating. Yet our advancement is a double-edged sword. As of recently, especially within the last 100 years, we’ve begun to learn the true consequences that our developments bring with them now. We’ve seen that, in many cases, those very same innovations advancing our species are destroying the planet we live on. One such invention, and likely the most prominent one seen in...

LOS ANGELES—A new single use, zero plastic, powder-based amenity collection is providing hoteliers with a groundbreaking way to deliver shampoo, conditioner and body wash to guests with a lighter carbon footprint than traditional single portion plastic bottles. This new Eco Pod collection from Hotel Emporium also provides an eco-friendly and sustainable option for those not wanting to transition to refillable or non-refillable dispensers. The Eco Pod collection comes in compostable containers made from 60 percent bamboo fiber, 30 percent sugarcane, and 10 percent wood fiber. According to Hotel Emporium, each container provides up to four uses. Andy De Silva, Vice President and...

FREMONT, CALIF.—Power Knot, a market leader in biodigesters that eliminate waste food for commercial foodservice operators, has opened a new 25,000-square-foot facility that significantly expands the company’s manufacturing. The new facility, located just down the road from the Tesla automobile manufacturing plant and with fast access to the major international shipping port of Oakland, positions Power Knot to meet rapidly growing demand for its award-winning LFC biodigester from customers around the world. “Demand for our LFC biodigester has surged dramatically over the past year, driven by large orders from cruise line operators Costa, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, P&O, and Seabourn,...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—The Renaissance Nashville Hotel is moving forward into 2020 with a continued focus on sustainability after being recognized for its efforts, recently winning the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association 2019 Stars of the Industry Award—Good Earth Keeping Award Lodging Property as well as the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association 2019 Stars of the Industry Award—Good Earth Keeping Award Lodging Property. The Good Earth Keeping Award recognizes properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices with everyday operations, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. “The Renaissance is extremely honored to be recognized for its sustainability efforts by...

LOS ANGELES—In a major step toward sustainability, USC Hotel has achieved certification from the nonprofit Green Seal organization, a national leader in setting environmental standards. To earn certification, the hotel underwent a full year of an in-depth audit of purchasing records, practices and on-site inspections to meet Green Seal’s GS-33 green lodging standard. “We want to be an example of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry,” said Dirk de Jong, Executive Director of USC Hospitality and USC Hotel. “Traditional hospitality practices use a lot of resources and materials and generate substantial waste. When we rebranded the property as the USC Hotel a year...

CLEARWATER BEACH, FLA.—Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), Page Development Group and Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection announced the first ever Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club Hotel. With the conversion expected to be unveiled in the spring of 2020 and sitting on America’s number one beach with 91 rooms, this eco-friendly hotel will be dolphin and marine life themed, featuring the inspiring dolphin made famous by the Dolphin Tale movies—Winter. “The opportunity to partner with Clearwater Marine Aquarium is unique and special,” said Page Development Group President Steve Page. “Our eco-friendly hotel will not only provide a great guest experience, but will...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Santa Cruz-based startup Steeped, Inc. has launched its Steeped Coffee brewing method to serious coffee drinkers across the nation. Brewed like tea, Steeped Coffee’s nitro sealed Steeped Bags, along with their packaging made using renewable and compostable materials, achieve the unthinkable: freshly ground specialty coffee in a single serving. That’s why it earned the “Best New Product” award for their innovative packaging at the recent Specialty Coffee Expo. Steeped Coffee launched when serial entrepreneur and coffee lover Josh Wilbur decided to combine the convenience of a single-serving brew method with the premium quality of ethically sourced coffee. Wilbur...

DEPOE BAY, ORE.—Soul Community Planet (SCP), a Holistic Hospitality company providing fair-priced lodging centered on the values of personal wellness, social good and the environment, announced the newly renovated SCP Depoe Bay has opened. Located near many of Oregon’s top surf breaks, most picturesque shorelines and best fishing, the new lodge features bohemian-style guestrooms, a communal coworking space, fitness and yoga studio, and Provisions market. “Each SCP venue uniquely embodies the values of Soul, Community and Planet,” said Soul Community Planet Co-Founder and CEO Ken Cruse. “SCP Depoe Bay has been renovated into an intimate surf lodge—ideal for coastal adventure-seekers...