SAN FRANCISCO—The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, in cooperation with JLL, has put a program in place to repurpose furniture no longer being used by the hotel (which is undergoing a large-scale renovation) and donate it to Compass Family Services, a local organization that helps homeless and at risk families become stably housed. The pieces of furniture—which include beds, desks, chairs and armoires from 150 guestrooms—will be matched by Compass Family Services with San Francisco and East Bay families in need, helping more than 100 local families furnish their new homes and redirecting an estimated 12 tons and 400 cubic...

BOULDER, COLO.—A new study finds restaurants can play a crucial role in diverting tons more food waste away from the nation’s landfills. One way to accomplish this: offering durable or compostable plates, cups and utensils, which the study proves makes it easier for customers to compost their food scraps and sort their waste into the right bins. The study, conducted by the nonprofit Zero Waste organization Eco-Cycle, details the growing problem of food waste in America and identified ways that restaurants can be part of the solution. “Restaurants play a critical role in reducing and recovering food scraps, and composting is...

HARTSVILLE, S.C.—QSR Magazine, in conjunction with the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), announced the winners of the 2019 Foodservice Packaging Awards, with Novolex brands leading the way in the Innovation in Manufacturing category. The Eco-Products brand took first place with its Vanguard line of plates and the Waddington North America (WNA) brand took second place with Reflections Renew Cutlery. For nearly two decades, the trade association and trade publication have partnered in these bi-annual awards to recognize innovation in the foodservice packaging industry in the following categories: Excellence in Brand Delivery, Excellence in New Menu Launch, Innovation in Convenience, Innovation in...

The Boutique Design New York (BDNY) and HX: The Hotel Experience trade shows wrapped up this past week at the Javits Center in New York City. While HX looked the smallest it has ever been, together with BDNY the two shows were formidable to cover. On my radar this year was what was newsy and new. Here then is what I found most interesting at this year’s shows: The Humble Co. featured its bamboo toothbrushes, natural toothpaste and other products. The toothbrush handles are made of easily biodegradable bamboo and the bristles out of nylon, a durable material that degrades...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Travelodge by Wyndham—part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with more than 9,200 hotels in over 80 countries—is building upon its 2019 growth momentum with the introduction of a new program in 2020 touting initiatives that streamline operations to drive value to owners while helping reduce the brand’s environmental impact. The adventure-focused brand, which has more than doubled its openings year-over-year as of the third quarter, has a history of eco-friendly efforts based on its strong concentration near many U.S. national parks. The new initiative, Travelodge + GO Green, aims to reduce overall waste...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced a series of initiatives to reduce waste at Hyatt hotels globally, including introducing large-format bathroom amenities and reducing single-use water bottles by June 2021. The following initiatives will be introduced as soon as possible in properties around the world, and no later than June 2021: Transitioning to large-format bathroom amenities to replace traditional small bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Increasing the number of water stations in key public spaces at hotels for guests who wish to refill reusable water bottles. Serving water in carafes or other containers for meetings and events; bottled...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Highlighting its commitment to sustainability, a company priority for more than 100 years, Milliken & Company announced it has enlisted National Geographic to produce a series of custom articles in National Geographic magazine and on nationalgeographic.com. The series will be designed to engage communities, customers and associates with key Milliken sustainability initiatives. “Sustainability is a core value that connects our planet, our products and our people,” said Halsey M. Cook, President and CEO for Milliken & Company. “Working with National Geographic amplifies our voice and invites meaningful collaboration as we explore innovative solutions to some of today’s greatest sustainability...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—JRS Amenities has announced plans to unveil their expanded collection of MOSAIC in-room amenity dispensers at HX: The Hotel Experience in New York City on November 10 & 11, 2019. MOSAIC was first introduced in 2014 and is now used in over 21 countries worldwide. “JRS and MOSAIC are committed to empowering more hotels to meet the evolving demands of eco-conscious travelers,” said Susan Howard-Memory, designer and owner of MOSAIC dispensing fixtures and parent company JRS Amenities Ltd. “In the design of our products, we see every component through a sustainable lens and consider how to improve the benefits and...

Under new regulations effective July 1, 2019, hotels in Shanghai have ceased to offer disposable daily necessities such as toothbrushes, combs, bath sponges, razors, nail files and shoe polish, unless specifically requested by guests. Guangzhou hotels joined the initiative in September. In mid-October, the Beijing government also drafted an amendment on household waste management to avoid using disposable daily necessities in the food service and hotel industries. Green travel appears to be a new trend that will extend and make its way to other Chinese cities in the future. It is estimated that more than 6.5 million sets of disposable...

NEW YORK, N.Y.—PacknWood announced that it will exhibit at The Hotel Experience at the Javits Center in New York City from November 10 to 11. The Javits Center is located at 429 11th Avenue, just over half a mile from the PacknWood showroom and office. Participants are invited to come see all the hotel and food service supplies PacknWood carries in its showroom at 213 W 35th Street on the 14th floor. The PacknWood displays will be located at Booth #1136. Packnwood is one of the 225+ exhibitors that will showcase its food service products to hotel and food service...