December 8 was an important day for MGM Resorts International. It was then that it officially opened the LEED Gold MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. The 308-room property is located minutes from Washington, D.C. The MGM National Harbor is MGM Resorts International’s ninth LEED certification. Cindy Ortega, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for MGM Resorts International, said in a press release that the hotel exemplifies MGM’s long-standing effort to implement sustainable and responsible practices across its resorts. I spoke with Todd Megrath, Executive Director of Sustainable Development, MGM Resorts International, about the new property and he...

BETHESDA, MD.—Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. announced new 2020 greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water and waste targets after meeting its 2017 goals ahead of schedule. Based on the success of its programs to date, the company elected to increase and expand its efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of its portfolio. The company is one of the first Fortune 500 companies and the first hospitality company to have their emissions target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, which aims to have companies commit to bolder emissions targets in line with science to keep global warming below the 2 degree...

LAS VEGAS—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized High Sierra Showerheads, a small, family-owned, made-in-USA manufacturer of water-saving shower heads based in Coarsegold, Calif., with a 2016 WaterSense Excellence Award for Strategic Collaboration—one of its top water conservation awards—as a leader in saving water for future generations. The award was presented at the annual WaterSmart Innovations Conference. It’s rare for a small manufacturer to receive an EPA WaterSense Award. More than 1,700 utilities, manufacturers, retailers, builders, and organizations partner with WaterSense. Only a select few, however, are recognized each year for their significant program contributions. The EPA WaterSense Excellence Award...

I often hear from entrepreneurs in the process of developing new products for hotels. One such person, Greg Floyd, contacted me yesterday in regard to Abstract Engineering LLC’s latest venture—a Shower Stream attachment for guestroom showerheads. What does the Shower Stream attachment do? Typically, your guests, after they turn on the shower, will step out of the shower and let the water run for a period of time until it is hot enough. This is what is considered “behavioral waste”. Water is wasted and energy as well. The Shower Stream is a motion-activated shower head adapter that Abstract Engineering says...

NATIONAL REPORT—Earlier this year, in September, Green Lodging News reported on a field study of rack and flight conveyor warewashers conducted by Pacific Gas and Electric Company Food Service Technology Center (FSTC). That study documented the energy and water savings and economic benefits of replacing an old inefficient warewasher with a new efficient or best-in-class warewasher. In this article Green Lodging News takes a look at what the leading suppliers of warewashers are currently offering and what makes their machines efficient from an energy, water and chemical perspective. Perhaps with no other water consuming machine in a hotel has there...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Chicago Faucets, a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, is offering a comprehensive guide to its electronic faucets, the Performance by Design product brochure. The brochure features the popular HyTronic Series of hands-free electronic faucets and the economical E-Tronic 40 Series. All hands-free electronic faucets from Chicago Faucets are available with three power options: AC, DC or the environmentally friendly Self-Sustaining Power System (SSPS). All working parts are housed in the faucet body, above the deck, saving valuable time during installation and maintenance. HyTronic and E-Tronic Series faucets help designers and building owners meet the latest water conservation requirements,...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced that the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification to MGM National Harbor, the company’s newest resort. Located minutes from Washington, D.C., in Prince George’s County, Md., the resort is scheduled to open December 8. The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. Meeting the rigorous environmental standards of this designation is a testament to the complete integration of sustainable principles throughout the design and construction of MGM National Harbor. “Environmental responsibility is a...

NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO—Moen has expanded its Magnetix line of showerheads with the new Attract Combination Handshower and Rainshower with Magnetix, the first combination showerhead to feature the brand’s magnetic docking technology. “Showerheads with Magnetix offer a powerful magnetic dock that allows for easy release of the handshower, as well as a secure return back into place, even with your eyes closed,” said Maribeth Kwasniewski, Director of Retail Marketing, Moen. “With the introduction of Magnetix, we transformed the way people use handshowers, making them simpler and more intuitive to use. We wanted to take this technology and provide even more options...

ODESSA, FLA. & SINGAPORE—Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, and Greenview, a leader in advancing hotel sustainability, have released the Green Lodging Trends Report 2016. The report details the results of the first annual Green Lodging Survey conducted earlier this year and is available at no cost by clicking here. The report is based on data from more than 2,000 hotels in 44 countries and covers topics ranging from air quality to energy management to staff involvement. The report includes results of more than 100 questions asked in 11 categories. Supporters of this year’s survey include The Arbor...

ARLINGTON, VA.—Schupp Companies announced that it has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for its Hyatt Place Courthouse development in Arlington, Va. Schupp pursued LEED as part of its commitment to sustainability with attention to reduced energy and water consumption, and a focus on optimal air quality to enhance the guest experience. Located at 2401 Wilson Blvd., the new Hyatt Place Arlington Courthouse is situated in close proximity to the metro, allowing for community connectivity. At 93,000 square feet, the hotel features approximately 1,200 square feet of street-level retail space, including a bar and café on the first...