Month: August 2019

IHG opts for bulk-size amenities to reduce plastic waste

Stuart Mitchell

IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), has announced that its entire hotel estate of almost 843,000 guest rooms will switch to bulk-size bathroom amenities, with the transition to be completed during 2021. Building on its efforts to reduce plastic waste as part of a broader sustainability agenda, this pledge makes IHG the first global hotel company to commit all brands to removing bathroom miniatures in favour of bulk-size amenities. Keith Barr, CEO, IHG, commented: “It’s more important than ever that companies challenge themselves to operate responsibly – we know it’s what our…

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M&S Supports Shift Towards Reusable Containers For Fresh Food-To-Go

Stuart Mitchell

M&S has become the first major retailer to introduce a reusable container incentive for fresh food-to-go at its Market Place counters, as part of its plan to reduce single-use packaging.  The new scheme will incentivise customers to bring their own reusable containers to M&S’ Market Place by offering a 25p discount off each meal. M&S is aiming to encourage a change in consumer behaviour and reduce the use of disposable items on the high street, as new research by IGD reveals the food-to-go sector is set to grow by 26.4%…

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Major campaign launched to encourage the nation to ‘Love Water’

Stuart Mitchell

The British public are being asked to help the country protect water resources for future generations as part of a major campaign launched today by more than 40 environmental groups, charities, water companies and regulators. Clean, healthy and readily available water is essential for health and wellbeing, as well as economic growth, but as the climate emergency and population growth put increasing pressure on the water environment, the UK is facing hotter and drier summers and an increased risk of water shortages. The UK already has less available water than…

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‘Don’t roll out Facial Recognition by the backdoor’ warns CIPR #AIinPR Panel

Stuart Mitchell

The CIPR’s Artificial Intelligence Panel (#AIinPR) has warned businesses to be transparent about the application of emerging technology, after it was revealed that facial recognition technology has been used at London’s Kings Cross without public knowledge. The developer responsible for implementing the technology said the tool was used to “ensure public safety”, but the organisation has faced criticism for failing to communicate the use of facial recognition technology to the public. #AIinPR Vice-Chair Kerry Sheehan Chart.PR, FCIPR urged businesses to be transparent about the use of emerging technology, arguing that…

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PR Sector Contributes over €1bn to Irish Economy

Stuart Mitchell

A nation-wide study carried out by Amárach Research for the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) finds the sector is contributing almost €1.2 billion to the Irish economy and has more women than men in senior roles. There were 471 respondents to the survey which was carried out in April. The report was launched on Thursday evening. Key Findings It is estimated that over 2,800 are working in public relations and communications. 68% of the profession are female and there are more females than males in senior roles. However, a…

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