BROOKLYN, N.Y.—JAR Innovations introduces Throwawayz biodegradable disposable bags for used tampons and small pads. Throwawayz’ color and size offers the ultimate in discretion and ease of use. The product contains no chemical additives. The Hepititis Foundation International highly recommends that all used feminine hygiene products be disposed of by enclosing them in a sealed plastic bag.

Are you interested in creating healthier work environments? Using your garment or textile care budget to support truly environmentally friendly services and technology? What about adding an additional item to your checklist for becoming a green hotel? Able to dissolve most organic materials, perchloroethylene (commonly known as perc or PCE) is the most widely used dry cleaning solvent nationally. It has been estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency that approximately 85 percent of cleaners use PCE as their primary solvent. However, some studies suggest that long-term frequent over-exposure to organic solvents such as PCE may cause lasting and possibly permanent central nervous system effects. Fatigue, lack of muscle coordination, loss of concentration as well as short term memory loss, and personality changes exhibited as nervousness, anxiety or irritability are some of the potential permanent long-term effects of chronic and frequent exposure.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As demand for natural products continues to rise, the Natural Products Association (NPA) is extending its natural seal and standard to include home care products, such as household cleaners, laundry detergents, and concentrated and ready-to-use hard surface cleaners. Until now, there was no standard definition of the term “natural” used by the home care industry. Now, an easily identifiable seal will help consumers discern which products are natural. Shoppers can expect the seal to begin appearing on certified home care products in the coming months. “A number of products that are mainly synthetic are being positioned as natural,” said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the NPA. “This leads to significant consumer confusion about the category and products people are choosing.” The brand new standard comes amidst growing consumer confusion about what makes a product natural.

NATIONAL REPORT—In 2002, when San Francisco’s famed Fairmont Hotel reopened after more than a year of extensive remodeling, one of the first things visitors noted was that acres of carpeting had been replaced with acres of hard surface floors. This is an example of a trend that has been occurring in all types of commercial and residential settings. Where wall-to-wall carpeting was common, hard surface floor coverings, such as stone and wood, are now taking its place. For hotel housekeepers this can mean a major change in cleaning operations. Instead of vacuuming these acres of carpeted floors, they now need to be cleaned by both dust and damp mopping, which presents a challenge for hotel properties seeking to green their cleaning operations. When dry mopping hard surface floors, dust is generated and it can impact indoor air quality (IAQ) negatively. Furthermore, if harmful contaminants are on the floors, there is a possibility that these can become airborne.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Love Rainbows and Butterflies as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Love Rainbows and Butterflies is the owner and operator of CedarOilCentral.com. The site is the place to purchase organic pest control products formulated from Texas Red Cedar Oil.

DALTON, GA.—The Carpet and Rug Institute has expanded its Seal of Approval testing and certification program by adding two new testing categories and expanding the existing extractors and deep-cleaning systems testing programs. Introductions to the program include a new Pet Odor and Stain Category and an Energy Efficiency Rating Option for Vacuums.

PHILADELPHIA—National Chemical Laboratories, Inc. (NCL) announced that its EARTH SENSE Industrial and Institutional Cleaning Products have achieved Recertification status under the Green Seal GS-37 (2009) Standard (5th Edition). Included in this recertification are EARTH SENSE #16 pH Neutral All Purpose Cleaner and EARTH SENSE #18 Multi-Surface Cleaner with H2O2.

CINCINNATI—Procter & Gamble Professional released the findings of its “Cleaning in a Down Economy” survey, which revealed that 85 percent of surveyed cleaning professionals have adopted a “doing more with less” approach in response to current economic conditions. P&G Professional launched the survey to gauge how decision makers managing in-house or contract cleaning services have reacted, and adapted, to recent business conditions.

SEDONA, ARIZ.—Sedona’s Kings Ransom Inn recently launched Green Suites International’s “EcoRoom Accommodation Program,” converting each of its 53 guestrooms into healthier, more environmental “EcoRooms.” The guestrooms will now feature more than a dozen environmental products. Kings Ransom Inn has also received a 4-leaf rating as part of the Green Suites Green Hotel Certification Program.

BOISE, IDAHO—ProTeam has earned the gold Seal of Approval/Green Label from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) for seven of its leading vacuums, signifying that they meet the highest standards for carpet cleaning effectiveness and indoor air quality. Vacuums awarded gold pass a stringent testing process at an independent laboratory and meet three key performance criteria: amount of soil removed, containment of dust and dirt within the machine, and carpet fiber protection.