WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released four new Safety First Pilot Credits in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The credits outline sustainable best practices that align with public health and industry guidelines related to cleaning and disinfecting, workplace re-occupancy, HVAC and plumbing operations. The credits can be used by LEED projects that are certified or are undergoing certification. The Safety First credits are part of USGBC’s economic recovery strategy released last month, which focuses on sustainable solutions to rebuild a stronger and healthier economy by prioritizing healthy people in healthy places. The credits were created...

Here is a challenge for all of you: Given the current pandemic, still try your hardest to do things in a sustainable manner—focusing on worker and guest safety, energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and enhancing, not worsening indoor air quality. With each step you take to stop COVID-19, ask yourself if you are helping or hindering environmental protection. I know it will not be an easy thing to do, or even accomplishable in some cases, given the severity of the virus. This past week I heard from Allied Feather + Down. The maker of bedding is now manufacturing reusable...

NATIONAL REPORT—One of the main ways to slow the spread of COVID-19 is through the wearing of face masks. Face masks prevent you from spreading respiratory droplets and help reduce, but not eliminate, the wearer’s exposure to airborne particles. In recent months, many suppliers have emerged selling different types of masks. A review of supplier sites found at least a half-dozen different mask types. Ray Burger, President of Pineapple Hospitality, a company currently selling several mask varieties, says his customers are primarily buying 3-ply and KN95 for non-medical use masks. Both N95 and KN95 masks are available in the marketplace...

SOLON, OHIO—The month of May has been declared “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to raise awareness about the effects of these diseases. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring, understands the impact this can have on the health and wellness of those with asthma and allergies and remains the only flooring...

ATLANTA—Oxy-Gen Powered, a leader in innovative odor eliminating solutions, has published an educational e-book, “The Impact of Odors on an Organization’s Bottom Line.” The free e-book reveals the effects of malodors on the perception of various types of facilities, such as restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. It also highlights different approaches to odor control, and recommendations for removing unpleasant indoor odors. It is available for download here. “As facilities reopen and welcome customers back, having the right odor elimination system is more critical than ever,” said Chris Whiting, Executive Vice President-North America, Oxy-Gen Powered. “Our e-book offers a closer look at not only how odors become a bigger issue for organizations, but specific strategies managers can implement to successfully avoid the issue altogether.” Informative for facility managers and building service contractors, Oxy-Gen’s e-book is an...

Here is what hotel managers need to know: After COVID-19, few things will be the same. Hotel guests are going to be concerned that not only are the hotels they stay in cleaned using green cleaning tools, methods, and equipment, but steps have been taken to ensure the entire property is healthy. And one way they will be able to determine this is if the property has been WELL certified. The WELL program is relatively new. The International WELL Building Institute, as it is officially known, is about six years old. It was started by many of the same people that...

SAN RAMON, CALIF.—More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Current shelter-in-place directives can worsen allergies caused by the dust mites that live in soft surfaces. RAYCOP has advanced its allergen vacuum technology with its new, hand-held RS Pro model. The RS Pro is the only allergen vacuum to eliminate 99.99 percent of allergy-causing dust mites and pollen using heat and the same UVC sanitizing light that hospitals use. The vacuum also includes HEPA filtration and air redirect suction technology to protect fabrics while reducing allergens. Mattresses, pillows,...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added a “Face Masks” category to its Green Product & Service Directory. The first company in the category is Sterling Sleep Systems. Sterling Sleep Systems, a maker of sustainable mattresses with interchangeable, replaceable parts, has switched manufacturing gears to meet the needs of hotels in need of face masks. Its 100 percent cotton face masks are 2-ply and include 1/4″ elastic strips. They are machine washable and made in the USA. The face masks feature SaniCare by Cramer: a special cleaning method for cotton that, when appropriately used, inhibits the production of mildew and...

NEW YORK, N.Y.—With a global shortage of N95 masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, N95Maskco has stepped in to fill the supply gap with its KN95 mask. The company has been producing KN95 masks for medical professionals, government workers, hospitals, and first responders. Now, it is making excess inventory available to the public to help prevent the spread of the virus from all angles. N95Maskco firmly believes that all citizens should be empowered to take charge of their well-being during these dangerous times. Distributing the excess inventory furnishes the public with the resources to do just that. The adjustable KN95 mask...

I will be chatting soon with someone from Dyson about the importance of handwashing and, just as important, proper hand drying—both extremely important in this new COVID-19 world. According to the PR person who contacted me about handwashing and Dyson, damp hands can transfer up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands. I found a press release from 2009 that backs this up. The hand dryer versus paper towel for public restrooms debate has been going on a long time. I have written about it previously for Green Lodging News. With COVID-19 everything is about touch points and of...