LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced an evolved vision for social impact and sustainability including setting goals to bolster diversity and inclusion, donate millions of meals and continue offering scholarship and educational opportunities for employees and their families. Through a commitment to be “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet,” MGM Resorts is committing to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests and in the communities where the company operates. “As a company with a global presence and more than 80,000 employees worldwide, MGM Resorts recognizes...

ATLANTA—Interface announced Mission Zero success ahead of its original 2020 target. Over the past 25 years, the company drove significant improvements across all key sustainability metrics internally and throughout its supply chain to help meet its objectives. And, Interface galvanized others along the way to implement more sustainable business practices. This created a positive ripple effect that helped the company not only achieve but also extend Mission Zero far beyond its original intentions. Interface’s direction and influence has helped countless others reduce their environmental footprint and work toward net zero impact within their own organizations. Based on 25 years of...

ATLANTA—Duravit has introduced the new SensoWash i shower-toilet that combines technical innovations with iconic design. This next level of the SensoWash series fuses 21st century design by Philippe Starck with impeccable quality and attention. “Duravit prides itself on setting, not following, the trends of ‘what’s next’ in the bathroom space,” explains Duravit USA President Tim Schroeder, “and we believe in coming out of the gate with perfection. SensoWash i is a testament to that. After years of development and refinement, we’re proud to introduce a shower-toilet that achieves both the highest standards in technology and design for your future bathroom.” New...

SAUDI, ARABIA—Amaala, one of the largest ultra-luxury sustainable resort projects ever conceived—one that will create 22,400 jobs and attract 310,000 visitors annually—is in the design stages for Saudi Arabia’s northeastern coast along the Red Sea. (See video.) Amaala, which is derived from the Arabic word for “hope,” will be set in a pristine natural reserve and includes three sites: Triple Bay, The Island, and The Coastal Development. Unique to the project is its environmental story. It will be built to have a zero-carbon footprint. Reaching zero-carbon status will be a challenge, as the project will also include an airport, 200 retail...

FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS—The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized the Nano Dual-Flush toilet from Niagara, creators of water-saving toilets that use Stealth Technology, with a 2019 WaterSense Excellence in Labeled Products in the Marketplace Award at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference in Las Vegas. This is the fifth award Niagara has received to date in 2019. Recognized by the EPA for its excellence in reducing water waste, the Nano is one of the most water efficient toilets available, using 77 percent less water than most other toilets on the market. The Nano offers users the option of a .5 or...

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) has launched the Sleep Products Sustainability Program (SP2), a new environmental certification and sustainability initiative for mattress manufacturers in the state of California. SP2 training and certification is offered at no cost to mattress manufacturers that want to improve operations at their manufacturing plants, distribution centers, warehouses and/or offices. “SP2 is designed to reduce waste and energy consumption in the manufacturing process while increasing operational efficiencies and generating cost savings,” says Ryan Trainer, President of the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) and the International Sleep Products Assn. (ISPA). “Developed as part of the bedding industry’s...

NATIONAL REPORT—For guests staying multiple nights at a hotel, the ubiquitous towel/linen reuse program has been an effective way to keep towels out of the laundry. According to the 2018 Lodging Survey, 95 percent of lodging establishments now offer the program. Yet another way to prolong a towel’s trip to the laundry is to offer a heated towel rack in the guestroom bathroom. According to Amba Products, utilized in Europe for decades due to their energy efficiency, heated towel racks use much less energy than a standard dryer (about the same amount of electricity as a few light bulbs)....

SAN DIEGO—Hilton San Diego Bayfront recently underwent a $23 million renovation to all 1,190 guestrooms and guestroom corridors. Keeping guests’ needs in mind, the enhanced guestrooms and suites feature a nautical, contemporary design and premium amenities including modern furniture, new mini coolers, updated restrooms, additional power and USB ports, 55” HD TVs and more. With both city and coastal elements, the hotel’s elevated look embraces everything Southern California has to offer, and the sophisticated seafaring-inspired design is a nod to the hotel’s stunning, prime location on the edge of the San Diego Bay. In conjunction with the renovation, this year Hilton...

LAS VEGAS—Behind all the glitz and glamour, opulent displays and bright lights the Las Vegas Strip is well known to many people for its entertainment, its shopping malls and of course for its world-famous casino games with live dealers and fine dining. What is probably less known by the majority of visitors is that many of the world-renowned buildings are holding their own when it comes to sustainability efforts—something that would surprise many preconceived ideas of “Sin City”. Take water as a prime example of how hotels and casinos on the Strip conserve it in the drought-stricken region—some builds are incredibly...

CARSON CITY, NEV.—Flooding Sensors announces the availability of two innovative devices that use patented technology designed to conserve one of the world’s most precious resources: fresh water. Both products are designed to be user-friendly so that each can be quickly added to any toilet with a tank by anyone with limited mechanical skills who can follow a simple set of instructions. The toilet bowl overflow Valvin detects a potential bowl overflow and sends a message to a valve that shuts off the water supply to the toilet and thereby prevents an overflow. The other Valvin detects leaks within the toilet...