FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics announced that it has implemented UPS’ carbon neutral shipping program. In an effort to continuously reduce its effect on the environment, the company partnered with UPS to reduce its carbon dioxide (C02) impact while further demonstrating its commitment to a healthier planet.Valley Forge, the world’s largest supplier of decorative textiles to the hospitality industry, ships thousands of packages to customers across the globe every year. Shipping is one of the company’s largest emissions sources and makes up 95 percent of all the company’s greenhouse gases. Every package Valley Forge ships will now automatically include...

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL—The Sheraton World Trade Center (WTC) in one of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s leading financial districts recently completed installation of multiple PURE Allergy-Friendly Rooms in partnership with PURE Global. PURE Room uses a patented and award winning seven-step process specially treating all surfaces, and purifying the indoor air to greatly reduce allergy and asthma symptoms, resulting in a better night’s sleep even for non-sufferers.The seven purification steps of the patented PURE Room installation process include: 1. Air sanitization via units that heat and cool air entering the room;2. Maintaining sanitized air with tea tree oil, an organic disinfectant;3. Cleaning...

SHELTON, CONN.—A new portable, continuous measurement formaldehyde (HCHO) meter is now available from GrayWolf. A reusable sensor cartridge employs the chemical reaction between formaldehyde and ß-diketone on a porous glass. The yellowing that results from this reaction is measured via photoelectric photometry with accurate readings to <20ppb HCHO, without significant cross-sensitivity, making it ideal for indoor air quality applications.The unit “re-zeros” between 30-minute tests allowing for continuous monitoring (unique for this technology), and provides an output for real-time connection to GrayWolf’s AdvancedSense meters, WolfPack area monitors and to WolfSense enabled mobile PCs. Some key facts about this meter:•    The FM-801...

MUKILTEO, WASH.—Believe it or not, the first official recorded incident of “sick building syndrome” occurred at the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1988. This ironic turn of events happened shortly after new carpeting was installed in the facility. Health experts believed that the newly installed carpeting was probably releasing high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing illness among the agency’s staff. Although there have been many advances, carpet installation can still pose a risk to human health more than 20 years after that incident. And as spring approaches, many facility managers face two choices when...

LOUISVILLE, COLO.—Unearthed Paints, a manufacturer of eco-friendly paints and plasters, announced the release of their new natural Hard Wax Oil finish—a durable surface treatment, ensuring protection for wood, cork and stone in interior applications. Unearthed Hard Wax Oil is produced from natural raw materials and is non-toxic and VOC-free. Unearthed Hard Wax Oil finish provides a natural, breathable silky-matte finish that penetrates deep into the pores to enhance the wood’s natural beauty. The transparent, honey tinge hue allows the wood’s inherent characteristics to show through. “Conventional polyurethane finishes are a plastic-like layer that sits on top of your wood floor,” says...

SECAUCUS, N.J.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Panasonic Home & Environment Company a 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in manufacturing innovative and energy efficient ventilation fans. Panasonic’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20th anniversary of Energy Star. An Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2011 and 2010, Panasonic Home & Environment Company will be honored with the EPA’s most prestigious award for its long-term commitment to sustainability. With the highest efficacy (up to 23.3 cubic feet...

JUPITER, FLA.—Fresh-Aire UV, the manufacturer of the original 24 Volt Blue-Tube UV and the APCO in-duct air purifiers, introduces the Mini UV System, the first germicidal ultra-violet light system designed specifically for mini-split and other ductless air-conditioning units in residential and commercial applications.The Mini UV’s patent-pending miniaturized components, consisting of two pencil-thin, 9 (L) x 3/8 (D)-inch UV lamps and a 6 (W) x 1.5 (H) x 1 (D)-inch, 120 or 208-230-VAC power supply, fit inside all ductless A/C brands and even the tightest compact mini-split spaces.Like all Fresh-Aire UV products, the Mini UV inhibits all mold and other...

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—The Radisson Grand Rapids Riverfront Hotel announced that it has implemented a facility-wide “Green Clean Sweep” by permanently replacing traditional cleaners and sanitizers with plant-based, environmentally preferable alternatives made by green chemical manufacturer EcoLogic Solutions. In addition to the health and environmental benefits, the shift will reduce the hotel’s chemical costs and usage by an estimated 15 percent each year, according to Radisson Grand Rapids Riverfront Hotel general manager, Todd Roesler. “Sustainable commercial cleaning supplies have come a long way recently,” said Roesler. “They’re now every bit as effective as the old fashioned alternatives, often lower in cost, and...

CINCINNATI—Cintas Corp., the largest uniform supplier in North America, in conjunction with Washing Systems, LLC (WSI) announced it has begun transitioning company-wide to a new, more environmentally friendly cleaner. Structure, the WSI product being introduced at Cintas facilities throughout the United States, uses components that are free of phosphates and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), which have been found in some instances to alter the oxygen and metallic levels naturally found in the environment. The components of Structure are not only environmentally friendly, but completely biodegradable. Its main ingredient is also naturally based and made from renewable resources. “Cintas is committed...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Three new Filtrete Commercial HVAC Filters have been introduced by 3M. The V-Bank style filters, available in MERV A13, MERV A14 and MERV A15 performance ratings offer customers a unique combination of performance and design features, including integral gaskets and nested pleats. Typical applications for the new Filtrete V-Bank filters include hotels and entertainment complexes. Using 3M technologies, these commercial HVAC filters offer an industry leading combination of low pressure drop, robust efficiency, longevity, low weight, as well as, unique design features. Filtrete V-Bank Filters are the only HVAC filters that feature innovative integral gaskets. The integral gaskets...