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ryanbonifas

Press release: Target Field becomes first MLB stadium to achieve LEED Platinum Certific... - 0 views

  • Target Field becomes first Major League Baseball stadium to achieve LEED Platinum Certification via new rating system
  • Minnesota Twins receive highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Green Building Council for continued excellence in Operations and Maintenance at the “Greenest Ballpark in America”
  • Minnesota Twins announced today that they have been awarded LEED Platinum certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance – making Target Field the first Major League Baseball venue to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest possible honor via the new LEED v4.1 rating system.
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  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence.
  • Target Field is also the nation’s first sports venue to earn three levels of LEED certification through Arc, the state-of-the-art digital platform that uses real-world data to help benchmark, measure and improve sustainability performance.
  • “The Minnesota Twins’ fifth LEED certification at Target Field demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Peter Templeton, interim president and CEO, USGBC.
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    The Minnesota Twins are leading the way in green initiatives in becoming the first MLB stadium to achieve LEED Platinum Certification. As the landscape has changed with the desires of fans and guests to public assembly venues, venues across the country are doing their part to go green and obtain LEED certification. It is a great initiative the venue management industry has engaged on, not only at the major league level, but stadiums, convention centers and performing arts venues are all doing the same.
Marcos Oliveira

LEED Certification and Other Green Initiatives Can Be Hotel Marketing Coups , by Carl R... - 0 views

  • from becoming airborne. Green Seal is a non-profit
  • prevent particles from becoming airborne. Green Seal is a non-profit, third-party certifier
  • n the United States, hotels represent more than 5 billion square feet of space, nearly 5 million guest rooms, and close to $4 billion in annual energy use
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  • January 2010, only 40 hospitality properties have achieved so-called LEED
  • certification.
  • LEED is a voluntary, third-party green building certification program that awards points to buildings for satisfying certain green building criteria. In order to be LEED-certified, a building has to implement a plan to reduce building operating costs, its environmental footprint, and resource consumption such as water and energy use.
  • developed by the U.S. Green Building Council
  • non-profit organization
  • intended to provide building owners and operators a basic framework for identifying and employing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions
  • LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations and LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance are the programs which have the most applicability to hospitality projects.
  • In addition, each rating system, including LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations and LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, is organized into six credit categories
  • sustainable sites; water efficiency; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality and innovation in operations.
  • Once the essential prerequisites are satisfied, developers can thereafter chose which optional credits to pursue in order to obtain certification. Certification levels start at Certified and increase to Silver, Gold and Platinum designations.
  • first hotel to receive LEED Platinum Certification was the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina
  • Proximity Hotel uses 39% less energy and 33% less water then a comparable sized hotel. In addition, the Proximity Hotel was able to recycle 87% of its construction debris
  • By using highly reflective concrete and/or open grid pavers, hospitality companies can help reduce the summer cooling loads for their building, which in turn reduces energy use and pollution generation.
  • installation of 100 solar panels on the roof, which heat about 60% of the hotel and the hotel restaurant’s water; use of geothermal energy for the restaurant’s refrigeration equipment; and installation of the Regenerative Drive model of the Otis’ Gen2 elevator which reduces net energy usage by capturing the elevator’s energy and then feeding it back to the hotel’s electrical grid
  • Many hospitality companies have already introduced green initiatives, such as the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, offering linen and towel reuse programs as well as various recycling programs
  • Not only are these green initiatives environmentally responsible, but should a hospitality company at some future point seek LEED certification, these green initiatives would earn them points in furtherance of the certification process
  • Paving Parking Lots with Highly Reflective Materials or Open Grid Pavers
  • purchased 40% of the building materials and 90% of its furniture locally and even restored 700 feet of an adjacent stream. Proximity’s most impressive features, however, include:
  • Installing High-Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures
  • Landscaping with Native Plant Species
  • native plants reduce more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than traditional mowed grass due to their extensive root systems and increased ability to retain and store water
  • Green Cleaning – Using Sustainable Cleaning Products, Materials and Equipment
  • A green cleaning program may include the use of Green Seal Certified household cleaners, Green Seal Certified laundry products, micro-fiber cloths, and dual motor vacuum cleaners with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters that prevent particles from becoming airborne. Green Seal is a non-profit, third-party certifier
  • third-party certifier
  • Using Local Materials and Goods
  • While not every hotel or hospitality company may be in the financial position to seek LEED certification or undertake costly capital expenditures, there are numerous green initiatives that each and every hospitality company should be considering to improve their efficiencies while also attracting green conscious consumers
  • A simple Google search of “hotels” and “green initiatives” returns more than 27,000,000 hits
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    In the United States, hotels represent more than 5 billion square feet of space, nealry 5 million guest rooms and approxiamtely $4 billion in annual energy use. As of January 2010, there were only 40 hotels that were LEED certified. The acronym LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is a voluntary, third party green building certification program that awards points to buildings depending on their sustainable practice being implemented which includes building improvements, environemntal footprint and water and energy use. LEED was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization. Its main purpose is to provide building owners and operators with a basic framework for developing and implementing sustainable practices. The first hotel to ever be certified according to LEED criteria was the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, NC. This hote received Platnium status for being able to recycle 87% of its construction debris, purchasing 40% of the building materials and 90% of its furniture locally. Installation of 100 solar panels, use of geothermal energy for the restaurant's refrigeration equipment and instllation of a Regenerative Drive model for its elevators made the Proximity Hotel a benchmark hotel. There are several practices that can make a hotel conserve energy and make it sustainable such as using flourescent lightbulbs, offering linen and towel reuse programs, paving parkig lots with highly reflective materials or open grid pavers, installing high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, landscaping with native plants and using local materials and goods. These will not necessarily lead to LEED certification but will definitely earn points towards obtaining that accredidation. The use of sustainable practices not only helps conserve the environment but also saves money in the long run. Through water conservation techniques, recycling and linen and towel reuse programs, the hospitality industry wins two-fold,
kathy_douglas

Ebookers launches mobile-focused rewards programme - Travolution.co.uk - 0 views

  • The company claims to be the first online travel agent that will allow customers to earn rewards on flights, hotels and packaged trips all in one place, with both business and leisure travellers being rewarded with discounts, bonuses and exclusive added value services.
  • Company research identified a continued lack of loyalty in the industry as 69% of consumers say they will visit more websites to find the right price and will use more comparison sites (41%) in the next 12 months than ever before to plan their holiday.
  • Ebookers spokesperson Rob Define said “Following extensive research to identify exactly what it is our customers are looking for in a rewards programme, we’re extremely excited to launch Bonus+, a programme that will ensure our customers get instant access to rewards, resulting in a little more sizzle, a lot more zing and a few more ‘oh go-on-thens’ out of their holiday.
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    Ebookers.com has a new rewards program being introduced called Bonus+, with a focus on mobile use. They have done research and developed a program that allows travelers to earn rewards on hotel bookings, packaged trips and flight bookings. Bonus+ offers a membership which has three tiers to their program. If customers reach gold or platinum status, they offer a 24-hr support for hotel bookings and free upgrades at participating hotels. If customers are to book through their mobile app, they receive more discounts on bookings. This concept is very interesting and I'd like to see how much it will effect the status of travel agents. It will be interesting to see how many more companies will try to come out with rewards programs like Bonus+.
lhick022

LEED rating system | U.S. Green Building Council - 0 views

  • LEED is for all building types and all building phases including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance and core and shell
  • For existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction. Includes: Existing Buildings O+M also includes applications for Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, and Warehouses & Distribution Centers.
  • For single family homes, low-rise multi-family (one to three stories) or mid-rise multi-family (four to six stories). Includes: Homes Multifamily Lowrise Multifamily Midrise
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  • LEED recertification is an important step in protecting your building asset. Recertification helps you maintain and improve your building while keeping your sustainability investment in place
  • Platinum 80+ points earned Gold 60-79 points earned Silver 50-59 points earned Certified 40-49 points earned
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    This article is about what can be LEED certified and how to go about getting certified. I just learned about this topic in my Hosp. Fac. Enviro. Sys. class, when I learned about it, I didn't realize that you have to be reevaluate.
Frances Mesa

Should Your Hotel be Considering an LEED Certification? | Hospitality Technology - 0 views

  • Today, guests around the world are extremely conscious about the kind of hotels they live and holiday in. They constantly need to be reassured that the hotel they are staying at is environmentally friendly and so, gone are the days when ‘environmental consciousness’ was just a fad
  • What is LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized Green Building Rating System and measures how efficiently a building or hotel property performs across a relevant set of metrics like energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, improved indoor environment quality as well as use of natural resources in construction and their impacts.
  • LEED is the most widely recognized form of green building certification in the world, and for a hotel that wants to establish a prominent competitive advantage, it is a must.
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  • The LEED website says, LEED promotes a holistic approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health, namely, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
  • An LEED certification has numerous advantages. Initially it may seem that the hotel needs to invest in putting in place compliance related technology and processes, but in the long run these solutions reduce hotels expenditure, be it through reduced energy consumption, water consumption, use of recycled products which are cost effective etc.
  • Hotels, from luxury, to chains to standalone properties are now exploring the option of an LEED certification. The advantage of this certification is that it is recognized by guests and the media, internationally and this allows a property to attract guests who are environmentally conscious. It also allows hotels to display their thought leadership and commitment to the environment while also reducing costs internally.
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    LEED certification for hotels. "You do not need to be a five start hotel or a large resort before considering an LEED certification. What you need is INITIATIVE!
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    In this article it talks about the new LEED certificate and what is it and why should hotel consider this certification. Government is starting to react to the environmental problems in the world and are starting to do something to reduce the carbon footprint. They are doing this by starting the LEED certificate for hotel buildings. Hotels right now have the option to stay as they are or to comply by the LEED certificate regulations, but in the future all the hotel buildings will have to comply with the regulations that the LEED certificate demands. Hotels are being pushed to change their ways in doing things from their regular way of electricity to their waste so they can help with our environment. the "LEED certificate is issued by the US Green Building Council, an independent, non-profit, third-party rating system." They have even created four levels of LEED certification: certificate, silver, gold and platinum. The LEED certification has various benefits some of them are: lower operation costs, increased property value and healthier and safer environments for occupants. Furthermore, some of the things hotels can do to be comply with the LEED regulations are: switching from evening to daytime office cleaning, installing motion sensors in all restrooms, telecom and electrical closets and adopting zero garbage or solid waste management.
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    I enjoyed this article. It would be very impressive to see all hotels complying with the LEED. It's not only about the amenities when your choosing where to stay, it's also about are they conscious of the environment. I definitely expect the five start hotel to be environmental friendly.
Marisa Chauvet

Sustainable Hotels without Reservations - 0 views

This article talks about how green hotels in Asia are by no means a new concept, and is currently enjoying a period of profound evolutionary change in the way that its buildings are designed, const...

started by Marisa Chauvet on 14 Jun 13 no follow-up yet
Patty Ferrer

Hotel operators step up their green initiatives - Travel Weekly - 0 views

  • Our desert surroundings require that we be strong stewards of natural resources, especially water," Dumont said.
  • LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the council's rating system for measuring the effectiveness of environmentally efficient buildings. LEED ranks buildings on a 100-point scale measuring energy and atmosphere, the sustainability of a site, efficient use of water and the use of environmentally responsible materials and resources in the building's construction and maintenance. It also awards six points for innovative design and four points for embracing regional priorities in products and services. The resulting levels are Certified (40 to 49 points), Silver (50 to 59 points), Gold (60 to 79 points) and the greenest category, Platinum (80 points or more).
  • he approximately 5 million hotel rooms in the U.S. rack up almost $4 billion in energy bills a year, or about $800 per room annually, according to Ashley Katz, spokeswoman for the Washington-based Green Building Council.
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  • MGM Resorts is among an expanding number of hotel operators looking to capitalize on growing environmental awareness among travelers by getting their hotel owner-developers to invest in systems that cut energy usage, save water and reduce waste.
  • The trend in consumer green consciousness has grown important enough among travelers that Sabre Holdings, one of the world's largest GDS operators, has taken notice. Last month, Sabre launched its Eco-Certified Hotel Program, making it what the company claimed was the first GDS to break out a list of "environmentally responsible accommodations."
  • MGM Resorts has cut its electricity usage by an amount that could power more than 12,000 homes.
  • Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrah's Entertainment) set a goal of cutting its carbon emissions by 10% between 2007 and 2013. So far, the Las Vegas-based company has replaced 65,000 halogen light bulbs with LED bulbs, which use about 90% less electricity, and has recycled more than 60,000 pounds of soap for Clean the World, a nonprofit that sanitizes the soap and sends it to low-income areas of the U.S.
  • The trend in consumer green consciousness has grown important enough among travelers that Sabre Holdings, one of the world's largest GDS operators, has taken notice. Last month, Sabre launched its Eco-Certified Hotel Program, making it what the company claimed was the first GDS to break out a list of "environmentally responsible accommodations."
  • T he approximately 5 million hotel rooms in the U.S. rack up almost $4 billion in energy bills a year, or about $800 per room annually, according to Ashley Katz, spokeswoman for the Washington-based Green Building Council
  • MGM Resorts is among an expanding number of hotel operators looking to capitalize on growing environmental awareness among travelers by getting their hotel owner-developers to invest in systems that cut energy usage, save water and reduce waste
  • "We have had the Travelocity Green Hotel program since 2008 and noticed increasing demand and supply of green hotels," said Leilani Latimer, director of sustainability initiatives at Sabre. "Additionally, there is increasing interest on the corporate side as more and more businesses are integrating their overarching sustainability programs into their managed travel programs and looking for significant ways to promote sustainable procurement practices
  • "It's very difficult for hotels to be truly green by their nature," said Bjorn Hanson, divisional dean of New York University's school of tourism and hospitality management. "Daily cleaning consumes chemicals and energy, and public spaces are 30% to as much as 70% of the square footage of a hotel and must be lighted, cooled and heated."
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    With sustainability at the forefront of hotel operators and investors hotels are becoming conscious of the guests needs as more and more travelers are requiring and are staying at properties that are serious about environmental conservation. The article highlighted the fact hotels are big consumers of energy, therefore have construction that are LEED certified will not only benefit the environment but also the bottom line of investors.
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    Travel Weekly takes a look at hotels taking real initiatives to their commitment to going green, especially in Sin City. Hotel groups are looking not to save money through transparent initiatives asking guests to simply reuse their towels, rather the article looks at "hotel owner-developers to invest in systems that cut energy usage, save water, and reduce waste". It seems in addition to other environmentally conscious west coast cities, Vegas has set a standard by setting goals for increased recycling, decreased energy consumption, switching over to LED bulbs, composting food waste, reducing overall carbon footprint and emissions. In light of continuing green development, Sabre Holdings has launched an Eco-Certified Hotel Program taking the lead out of the other four major GDS's to tip their hat to eco-friendly hotels. As travelers, GDS's, hotels, travel websites, and developers alike place greater emphasis on the preference for environmentally conscious lodgings, the more likely the industry is going to continue adopting these measures.
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    Hotels are becoming more green world wide. MGM hotels is on board with a green initiative. Hotels electricity and water add up because they have to cool a building , clean and maintain the hotel. IT costs about 800 per room annually in electricity and water costs. MGM hotels reduced the electrivity they use which can help power 12, 000 houses. HOtels are also trying to reduce its carbon emissions. Although as the article states " its very difficult fot hotels to be trully green by their nature" every little bit helps.
corrie242

Top Luxury Eco-Friendly Sustainable Hotels and Why Travelers Love Them | By Alan Young ... - 0 views

  • This puts the travel and hospitality industry, specifically, in an exciting position to maximize influence and guest connections. It's not necessarily about B2B or B2C anymore, or even the best 'deal' on paper — it's about the creation of value, and a company's ability to demonstrate that they share values and beliefs with their target consumer.
  • This past year, it found that 84% of Canadian travelers have a desire to go green on future vacations and then two-thirds (64%) said they intend to stay in an eco-accommodation in 2018, which is an increase from both 2017 and 2016. Even further, 58% of Canadians said they would pay at least five per cent more on their travel to ensure it had a lighter environmental footprint. This allows them to feel good about the accommodation they've selected, while also engaging in locally relevant experiences.
  • With this in mind, popular destinations around the globe are looking for ways to limit the environmental footprint/impact that tourists may have on the surrounding environment, heritage sites and local populations.
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  • Each aspect of the QO has been designed to significantly reduce environmental impact, including intelligent windows, a rooftop greenhouse and so much more. From an aesthetic perspective, every element of the property has been deliberately chosen to celebrate and respect the planet's resources and every space has been designed to bring the outside in.
  • Each hotel property (located in NYC, Brooklyn, and Miami) is thoughtfully designed with reclaimed wood, natural light, hemp mattresses and live green moments.
  • With this in mind, 1 Hotels aspires to be a platform to spark conversations, between innovators and guests, that transform the industry and our lives.
  • Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina takes sustainability seriously, with more than 70 sustainable practices in place throughout its 146-room property.
  • Their LEED platinum-rated location has 100 solar panels on the roof, an elevator that re-generates power and geothermal energy for the refrigerators — just to name a few eco-friendly features. Rooms and suites are described as loft-style with floor-to-ceiling windows, soaking tubs, in-room dining, filtered air systems and artwork from a local artist. They even include free bike rentals to inspire eco-friendly transport during guests' stay.
  • The 4,004-room Aria Resort and Casino is the largest building in the world to have a LEED gold status, while also offering the first fleet of natural-gas-powered stretch limos.
  • he Accor Hotel family recently launched its Accor's Planet 21 program, which demonstrates the group's ambitious goals for 2020, based around four strategic priorities: work with its employees, involve its customers, innovate with its partners and work with local communities. Each Accor property prides itself in the implementation of eco-certified products and design, sustainably sourced food and programs in place to combat food waste.
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    This article outlines how hotels are trying to become eco-friendly sustainable and still able to paramount guest needs. With this initiative, modern consumers are showing a definitive preference for experiential purchasing over material goods.
garz14

What Can We Do About the Growing E-waste Problem? - 3 views

    • tcale003
       
      China recently banned other countries from sending e-waste to them. E-Waste is comprised of many toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium which are very harmful to people and the environment. Many new technologies for biodegradable electronics are being looked at and there is even an EcoAtm in some U.S. states for people to recycle their small electronic devices.
  • When China banned 24 kinds of solid waste last September, countries such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan realized they had a big problem. Until last year, China accepted 70 percent of the world’s electronic waste—discarded computers, cell phones, printers, televisions, microwaves, smoke alarms, and other electronic equipment and parts.
  • After China stopped accepting this e-waste out of concern for its environment, Europe and North America began shipping more of it to Southeast Asia—but now Vietnam and Thailand, whose ports have been overwhelmed, are curbing imported e-waste as well.
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  • In 2016, the world’s population discarded 49 million tons of e-waste
  • It’s estimated that by 2021, that number will grow to more than 60 million tons.
  • Electronic devices are made of a complex mix of materials that include gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium, lithium, cobalt and other valuable elements.
  • But electronic devices also comprise toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium, polluting PVC plastic, and hazardous chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, which can harm human health and the environment.
  • A recent study in China found that mining copper, gold and aluminum from ore costs 13 times more than recovering the metals through the urban mining of e-waste. The state of e-waste recycling Recycling e-waste is practiced both formally and informally.
  • onmental hazards, however, many people in developing countries earn a living by dismantling, refurbishing, repairing and reselling used electronic devices.
  • As a result, many companies and countries illegally export their e-waste to developing countries where recycling is cheap
  • Research has found that inhaling toxic chemicals and direct contact with hazardous e-waste materials (even in some formal e-waste recycling settings) result in increases in spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature births, reduced birth weights, mutations, congenital malformations, abnormal thyroid function, increased lead levels in blood, decreased lung function, and neurobehavioral disturbances. Moreover, e-waste toxins contaminate the air, soil and groundwater. In the face of these health and envir
  • n the face of these health and en
  • mally.
  • In addition to its health hazards, informal recycling can pose security risks, because while formal recyclers in the U.S. usually require wiping devices clean of data, informal recycling does not.
  • Criminals search e-waste for credit card numbers and other financial information.
  • In order to reduce e-waste, manufacturers need to design electronics that are safer, and more durable, repairable and recyclable. Most importantly, this means using less toxic materials.
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    This article introduces what is e-waste and the main reason for the surge in e-waste. It also introduced the current recycling status of e-waste and the harm caused by the informal recycling of e-waste, such as heavy metal poisoning and financial information leakage. In addition, measures to address the proliferation of e-waste were also discussed.
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    It has become necessary for more proper and formal recycling of e-waste as it is economical and environmentally beneficial for companies. China decided to accept less e-waste from other counties and as a result there is more e waste going to other countries in south east Asia damaging their environments.
yoyohad

10 trends in hotel technology - 1 views

  • Hotel guests travel with an increasing number of personal devices and their own information and entertainment content. A SmartBrief poll showed that 45% of hotel guests travel with two devices and 40% with three or more.
  • “We noticed travelers were packing books less and less. They’re cumbersome and take up valuable luggage space, but it’s really hard to replace the joy of reading a great book on the road,” Nelson said. “It’s also important for families that forgot to pack their tablets because games (and other contents) are big hits with bored kids.”
  • The Hyatt Union Square New York offers three check-in options for guests: an iPad check-in with a staff member called Gallery Host, a self-serve check-in kiosk and a traditional front desk. About 40% of guests at the hotel select the iPad option.
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  • According to a poll taken by the SmartBrief online service, 85% of travelers believe Wi-Fi in hotels should be free.
  • When the planners are in the hotel, they can request more coffee, more flipcharts, a change in temperature in the room, or whatever they need. We’re facilitating the conversation in the way planners and customers really want to talk to us.”
  • Another example from the participants was the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Behind the hotel’s front desk is a huge video wall, and one of the applications is a live tool that allows guests in line, or anyone in the lobby, to send Twitter messages about the hotel or other topics. Also, the hotel’s food-and-beverage outlets use to the board to promote specials or events.
  • Marriott offers free Wi-Fi in its select-service and extended-stay hotels and in lobbies of its full-service properties. In addition, gold and platinum level members of the chain’s loyalty program receive it for free, Roe said.
  • Courtyard’s GoBoard lobby information center has become a way to eliminate the frustration of guests standing in line to ask a simple question, such as directions or a restaurant recommendation.
  • Marriott last week launched its Travel Brilliantly marketing campaign, which Roe said will help the company “define the future of technology.”
  • The white paper noted a variety of ways hoteliers increase their luxury offerings through technology—everything from high-definition TVs embedded in bathroom mirrors to curated set lists of music downloads as offered by Hard Rock Hotels.
  • Marriott’s new Workspace on Demand service allows non-hotel guests, such as small businesses and entrepreneurs, to book meeting space at Marriott properties on half-day or full-day basis. Larger groups can book meeting space that includes audio-visual equipment and Wi-Fi.
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    This posts summarized 10 trends in the hospitality technology. Most of them are benefiting the guests directly, such as the wifi access and the self check-in services. However, as more and more hotel in the industry adopting these technology, the competition has been brought on, and every company is working harder to invest more technology in hotel management, development as well as operation. These 10 trends are the most basic ones which have changed the industry greatly, but there are mot to expect in the near future. 
mtedd003

UN report: Time to seize opportunity, tackle challenge of e-waste | UNEP - UN Environme... - 0 views

  • The world produces as much as 50 million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) a year, weighing more than all of the commercial airliners ever made. Only 20% of this is formally recycled.
  • worth over $62.5 billion
  • Global e-waste production is on track to reach 120 million tonnes per year by 2050 if current trends continue,
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  • $62.5 billion, more than the GDP of most countries.
  • Less than 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, with 80% either ending up in landfill or being informally recycled – much of it by hand in developing countries, exposing workers to hazardous and carcinogenic substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium.
  • improper management of e-waste is resulting in a significant loss of scarce and valuable raw materials, such as gold, platinum, cobalt and rare earth elements.
    • mtedd003
       
      The resources not consumed but still existing in landfills.
  • circular economy in which resources are not extracted, used and discarded, but valued and reused
  • Nigerian Government, the Global Environment Facility and UN Environment announced a $2-million investment to kick off the formal e-waste recycling industry in Nigeria.
  • 100,000 people work in the informal e-waste sector in Nigeria.
  • PACE is a public-private collaboration mechanism and project accelerator dedicated to bringing about the circular economy at speed and scale.
  • The UN E-waste coalition is a group of seven UN agencies who have come together to increase collaboration, build partnerships and more efficiently provide support to Member States to address the e-waste challenge.
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    The Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) is a public-private group consisting of more than 50 heads from various internal and external organizations. The group intends to fight the route cause of e-waste by repairing the method for which technology is recycled. The plan of action is to establish a circular economy. Materials are consumed, trashed, and eventually sent to landfills or sent for workers in toxic unsafe conditions to extract the precious materials. The world produces 50 million tons of e-waste annually, accumulating a worth of almost $62 billion. 80% of e-waste is improperly recycled in dangerous polluted conditions, creating an environmental hazard and unethical work conditions. Valuable resources such as gold, are also lost due to this poor method of recycling.Nigeria is one of the many countries that has exploited thousands of workers in the recycling of e-waste. In an effort to reform this issue, the Nigerian government has invested $15 million to employ PACE's circular economy. The design of a circular economy allows for products to be either made for longer use or recycled in a sustainable way. The circular economy will allow for a more efficient and environmentally friendly method of harvesting these resources while providing sustainable job opportunities.
llibe010

Short-circuiting the electronic-waste crisis - 1 views

  • According to the Global E-waste Monitor, a project backed by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, people disposed of 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2019 — a quantity that is expected to increase by nearly 40% by 2030
  • “This is an opportunity to stop thinking of it as waste,” says Clara Santato, a chemist specializing in electroactive materials at Polytechnique Montréal in Canada. But making electronics more sustainable will also require a more radical evolution of the industry as a whole, as well as the consumers who crave their products
  • Not everything can be readily recycled, but there are opportunities to create ‘green electronics’ that can be produced and disposed of in a more environmentally friendly way.
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  • E-waste contains these hard-to-find elements in abundance.
  • as of 2019, only around 17% of the world’s e-waste was being properly managed for recycling in the countries that generate it
  • In an initial demonstration, this method recovered more than 80% of the precious metals, such as palladium and silver, that were present in an e-waste sample4, while also enabling easy isolation of toxic compounds such as mercury and lead.
  • Standard building blocks such as silicon, iron and copper are typically joined by more exotic elements. These include highly conductive precious metals such as platinum and gold, as well as rare-earth elements such as neodymium, which possess unique magnetic and electrical properties.
  • Conventional circuit boards are built on fibreglass, which is non-biodegradable and typically laced with potentially toxic fire-retardant compounds. Martins’ group is working on paper-based boards that could offer an environmentally friendlier alternative.
  • recyclable or compostable electronics could become invaluable in devices intended for short-term use, or in narrow-purpose devices such as wearables or environmental sensors that don’t have to meet the same rigorous performance standards as the processors found in smartphones.
  • But more-aggressive measures will probably be necessary, including tighter regulations.
  • Manufacturers should also pursue practices that promote circularity.
  • Planned obsolescence by manufacturers is part of the problem, but resolving this issue will also be a matter of public education and policies that boost civic-mindedness and environmental consciousness
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    The article recommends tighter regulations and corporate accountability as means to limit e-waste production and facilitate a cultural shift. E-waste production is set to increase rapidly and will see a 40% increase in quantity by 2030 unless checks are put in place. Creating green electronics has been discussed as an important step as manufacturers have been urged to use biodegradable components in their devices. The article further encourages businesses to promote circularity while highlighting that the responsibility also falls on consumers to adopt better practices. Public education is discussed as a critical tool to make populations aware while consumer electronics brands have been urged to make devices that are easy to disassemble and repair to increase longevity.
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