CSR and Sustainability

📚 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has led sustainable development in space identity infrastructure. With FSC® Chain of Custody (CoC) certification and an EcoVadis Silver Medal, GCSTIMES ensures eco-friendly production of hotel key cards and hospitality supplies. Certified under ISO 14067, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 27001, the company emphasizes quality, environmental management, and information security. Through diverse material options, including recycled content, GCSTIMES advances responsible sourcing and sustainability. Explore their sustainability details at www.gcstimes.com/sustainability.

🏖 Matt and Morag, chefs and Dave’s trusted colleagues, moved to Forge Mountain Club 1.5 years ago. Dave plans modest homes on the mountain, preserving ~60% of its land. They've built relationships with locals for construction. They're buying 1,200 acres nearby and a marina. Inspired by Serenbe's 2,000-acre model, where 70% is green space, Dave envisions sustainable, family-friendly developments. His approach contrasts traditional profit-driven models, focusing on long-term benefits for humans and nature.

🏨 The Psychological Well-being in Hospitality Report 2026 highlights five industry developments based on 48 expert interviews. It emphasizes holistic wellbeing, linking employee psychological health to guest experience quality. A transformation economy now sees guests seeking meaning over comfort. Dr. Aradhana Khowala notes the importance of emotional design, while Dr. Alyson Meister highlights workplace challenges. The Breakers Palm Beach shows positive results with a 93% retention rate. ROX measures guest psychological wellbeing's impact on loyalty.

🌍 In 2021, Small Luxury Hotels of the World launched the Considerate Collection, featuring GSTC-recognized sustainable hotels. This eco-conscious group began with 25 members and has expanded to over 80 hotels in five years. Guests can engage in conservation activities, such as coral reef protection and wildlife rewilding, especially near protected or high-biodiversity zones. This shift reflects the growing demand for participatory eco-tourism, where travelers actively contribute to environmental efforts.

🥑 Mexico, the world's largest avocado producer, cultivated over 2.5 million tonnes in 2026. Since 2000, US avocado consumption tripled due to extensive marketing. A 2023 Climate Rights International report highlights deforestation in Michoacán and Jalisco, often illegal, causing environmental harm and water scarcity. Avocado farming uses at least 75,000 gallons per acre during dry seasons. Organized crime and labor issues are prevalent, with efforts like Guardián Forestal's certification program improving sustainability and reducing deforestation.

🏨 SCP launches a Regulation CF investment offering, inviting public investments. Founded by Ken and Pam Cruse, SCP operates 10 hotels in locations like California, Oregon, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. By Q2 2026, SCP achieved 13.5% revenue growth and a Net Promoter Score of 61.4, surpassing industry averages. The Every Stay Does Good™ program has planted over 333,800 trees and recovered over 145,000 pounds of waste. SCP's Net Zero Waste Program delivered notable environmental outcomes in 2025.

📦 Sybron, a top UK hospitality supplier, has become the UK’s largest B Corp-certified cleaning, hygiene, and catering distributor. With over 10,000 global B Corps and 2,600 in the UK, Sybron's certification reflects high social and environmental standards. George Mason highlights their commitment to positive impact, while Matt Burtinshaw leads sustainability strategies post their joint venture with Lime Sustainable Supplies. B Corp certification, verified by B Lab, ensures accountability across governance, workers, community, and environmental practices.

🌽 Women bean farmers in Bomet County, Kenya, are vital to food systems. Despite dominant roles, they face undervaluation, earning less than 80% of men's wages for the same work. Globally, women hold under 15% of agricultural land, yet they make up 40%-41% of the workforce. They lack access to land, finance, and markets. Closing gender gaps could boost global GDP by $1 trillion. The UN designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to address these inequalities.

🥥 At the Organic Produce Summit 2026 in Monterey, California, sustainable packaging is highlighted as a key trend. Consumers at Sprouts Farmers Market, operating 485 stores in 25 states, prefer eco-friendly options, with 42% prioritizing recyclable packaging. Price sensitivity varies by retailer; Save Mart Co. notes differences in willingness to pay among its 200 stores. The Power of Produce 2026 report highlights consumer preferences: 32% reduced plastic use and 22% plant-based materials.

📋 Radisson Hotel Group launched four new Verified Net Zero hotels in Sweden and Denmark, increasing their count to nine in the Nordics and UK. This move supports their goal of 100 such hotels by 2030. The newly added hotels include three in Stockholm and one in Copenhagen, with capacities ranging from 180 to 3,000 guests. Verified by TÜV Rheinland, these hotels focus on sustainable operations with 100% renewable energy and low-carbon menus, reducing carbon footprints by up to 40%.