As mentioned previously on Green Lodging News, I attended HD Expo in Las Vegas from May 2-4. Thanks to Covid-19, it had been four years since I last attended this event focused on hospitality design. What was clear immediately to me this time was that the show and conference was as strong as ever and the number of sustainability stories was at a record level. In my article this past week I listed many of the companies in attendance that jumped out at me in one way or another as having something new, unique, or showing evidence of the continuation...

LAS VEGAS—More than 600 exhibitors displayed their goods and services at last week’s HD Expo at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. More than 80 of those exhibitors identified themselves as sustainable in one way or another. It would be impossible to mention all those companies in this article but below are many examples of what this author considered especially creative and unique. Elkay Manufacturing Co. introduced its ezH2O Liv Pro Filtered Water Dispenser. Unlike other Elkay dispensers, this one features a low-profile design and a more upscale look with its either black or white frame. It fits within 16” OC...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services providers, announces the launch of a new website, LaundryServices.org. It connects all types of businesses, especially restaurants, hotels, healthcare institutions and consumer and industrial services, with these commercial laundry providers. The website generates awareness of these and educates end-users and consumers on why commercial laundries are beneficial, including their standards and practices that support environmental and supply chain sustainability. Commercial laundries use one-third of the water used in home laundering, saving over 30 billion gallons of water per year in the United States. LaundryServices.org videos and interactive tools teach consumers and business...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced the publication of its 2022 Social Impact and Sustainability Report. The report details the company’s continuing and steadfast commitment to its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles of embracing humanity and protecting the planet. The report also highlights the company’s strategies, programs and performance focused on creating a more sustainable future and making a positive impact on the lives of employees, guests, and communities. “We are a company comprised of tens of thousands of people who, together, know what it is to collaborate and bring about meaningful change,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM...

DOMINICA—One of the planet’s most outstanding examples of a modern, off-the-grid eco-luxury resort is Coulibri Ridge. It is in Dominica amid 285 acres. The 14-suite property is powered by sun and wind and is the result of more than 20 years of research, environmental testing, infrastructure building, and community engagement to ensure the highest degree of sustainability, respectful development, and community collaboration. Coulibri Ridge is the brainchild of Quebec-born entrepreneur Daniel Langlois. Langlois traveled the globe throughout his career in software technology, and the contrast between wealthy and poor communities in many places left him pondering why sustainable practices like...

IRVINE, CALIF.—KSL Resorts announced it has launched a new sustainability program—“On Purpose”—to be rolled out amongst its portfolio of 11 world class destination hotels and resorts, among them Camelback Resort (Pocono Mountains, Pa.); Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Calif.; Fairmont Grand Del Mar (San Diego; Silverado Resort and Spa (Napa, Calif.); and Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. While the name and framework are new, the program reinforces existing companywide sustainability initiatives. “All of our properties have increasingly adapted green practices in recent years—making dramatic improvements—but we are thrilled to make it official by introducing this forward-thinking new platform,” said...

Evaporative cooling towers play an important role in green buildings by significantly reducing energy consumption when they supplement or replace traditional air conditioning systems, thereby reducing carbon footprint and operating costs. Although evaporative cooling is great at saving energy, it does consume some water but the benefits on energy savings outweigh the water usage, which in some places is a scarce resource. Water conservation is therefore a high priority in designing and operating water-cooled equipment and plays an important role in USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and other sustainability programs. LEED assigns credit points to reduce...

PHOENIX—Recognizing the importance for the hospitality industry to take the lead on addressing its most significant global challenges and on establishing sustainability programs that meet evolving guest expectations, BWH Hotel Group is doubling down on its commitment to environmental and social responsibility across its expansive global portfolio. Alongside its engagement with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, BWH Hotel Group has created a new global sustainability strategic initiative, called “Because We Care,” which will focus on three important pillars: Earth, People and Community (EPC). BWH Hotel Group is celebrating the significant efforts its hotels across nearly 100 countries have already undertaken...

NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.—Six Senses is taking its wellness and sustainability formula to a sanctuary in Napa County, an agricultural haven producing some of the world’s most sought-after wine. Named after the natural thermal Aetna Springs discovered in the 1870s, the original resort thrived until the 1970s as a natural spa destination, with Aetna Mineral Water also sold throughout the American West. “Six Senses Napa Valley will marry the region’s beauty with the unique natural resources of the original Aetna Springs,” said Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs. “Working with Weller Development Partners, Pegasus Capital Advisors, and committed sustainability partners, we have...

MINNEAPOLIS—Tennant Company, a world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions to reinvent how the world cleans, announced its full i-mop portfolio of mechanized walk-behind scrubbers that empower organizations to finally drop the dirty, traditional mop and step up to a better, more efficient and more sustainable clean. The complete i-mop line gives facility cleaning the productivity and performance boost of mechanized cleaning with mop-like maneuverability for small, cluttered spaces, enabling them to achieve a consistently deeper clean with less time, less water, and a lot less effort. “The days of dirty, difficult mop-and-bucket cleaning are coming to an end,” said...