SOUTH EGREMONT, MASS.—Monarch Bath, Bed & Spa, a leading global provider of bathrobes and luxury hotel linens, announced the introduction of MONARCH ECO, a new line of hotel linens designed to conserve water and reduce energy costs in the laundry operation, while maximizing comfort and durability. “Our experience tells us that hoteliers are primarily concerned with guests’ perceptions, the product’s life cycle and energy usage when considering linen purchases,” said Gene Faul, CEO of Monarch Bath, Bed & Spa.

RIPON, WIS.—UniMac, the manufacturer of on-premise laundry equipment, has begun offering Building Information Modeling (BIM) objects of its most popular models for download by architects and engineers. Consistent with the brand’s industry leadership position, UniMac is the first and only laundry equipment manufacturer to offer this break-through service.

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently unveiled a new website that includes improved navigation, more client videos, and additional content specific to every potential customer and end user. “The new site is redesigned for easier navigation, which allows users to get the information they need fast,” says Mike Floyd, president of the company. “Our previous site relied on older technology.”

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently welcomed the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center into the Florida Green Lodging Program. The resort is one of the largest in the state to participate. In addition, the resort announced the rollout of a new guest communications program, called “We’re Eco-Logical,” designed to share the spirit of the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives with guests and meeting planners. “Together with the citizens of Osceola County, we have created one of the most successful meetings and conventions resorts in Florida,” said Kemp Gallineau, senior vice president and general manager.

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.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Pellerin Milnor Corp. as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. The company is a manufacturer of washer-extractors, dryers, coin-operated washers and dryers, batch washers, and extraction systems. The company also offers the Mildata Computer Management System which provides central programming capabilities, data reporting and production monitoring.

SAN FRANCISCO—Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has introduced Wines That Care during its hosted nightly wine hour at nearly 50 hotels nationwide. For guests in the mood to mix and mingle in the living room-style lobby with a glass of red or white, every savored sip will come from a featured winery of the month chosen for its dedication to the earth and local communities. Hand-picked by Kimpton’s wine director and master sommelier, Emily Wines, Wines That Care will offer pours from a different winery each month that has a unique story and genuine commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability. “Partnering with like-minded companies through Wines that Care allows us to provide guests with more than complimentary wine each night, but a way to support the environment and their communities when they stay at Kimpton,” said Emily Wines, director of wines and master sommelier, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes FoodBizSupply.com as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. FoodBizSupply.com is a source for more than 400 sustainable tableware, paper products, catering supply products, to-go packaging, bags, green cleanup supplies, and much more.

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has partnered with CynerGreen to provide a “bottle free” solution for hotels and meeting planners looking to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. CynerGreen offers a complete line of hydration products and services. CynerGreen is one of several companies that have recently partnered with Pineapple Hospitality.

MIAMI—Sustainability practices that minimize the impact of restaurant operations on the environment appear to be gaining momentum as the foodservice industry finds ways to measure the return on its investment in green systems and technologies, according to the results of a new benchmark survey from RSR Research. The study, “The Better-Run Restaurant: Environmental Sustainability in Restaurant Retail 2010,” finds restaurant organizations of all sizes hungry for greater efficiency in their operations, particularly those solutions which cut energy costs, reduce wasteful packaging, and can be leveraged to “tell a green story” to diners. While the industry is still struggling to correlate top line revenue with green investments, it does recognize the bottom line benefits of cost savings from energy and waste management. Notably, 58 percent of respondents said sustainability is a strategic initiative in multiple departments of their companies.