MINNEAPOLIS—Tennant Co. recently introduced ech2o (pronounced “echo”), a new cleaning technology that electrically activates plain tap water, making it behave like a powerful detergent without any added chemicals. The new ech2o offers significant customer advantages including lower costs, ease of use, improved operator safety, plus an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cleaning methods. Its cleaning effectiveness is proven to be the same or better than general purpose cleaners, without the negative environmental impact and health issues associated with producing, packaging, transporting, using and disposing of traditional cleaning chemicals. The new ech2o begins as water and ends as water. “Our new...

NATIONAL REPORT—When looking for the “low hanging fruit” in a hotel—those areas that offer the easiest and fastest opportunities to save energy—one piece of equipment that is often forgotten is the kitchen exhaust hood. Unfortunately, most commercial kitchen hoods include single-speed fans that operate at 100 percent capacity all day long, even during idle (non-cooking) periods when ventilation rates can be safely reduced. The annual cost of wasted energy can be thousands of dollars per hood, or as much as $2 billion a year for the entire foodservice industry. One way to reduce energy consumption and costs is to control...

CHICAGO—In a presentation at Greenbuild earlier this month, Destiny USA founder and chairman Robert J. Congel introduced the initial design of a hotel and conference facility that will be the next phase of the Destiny USA project in Syracuse, New York. The hotel, which will feature more than 1,300 rooms, is being designed to LEED Platinum standards and will serve as a showcase for sustainability. “Five years ago, Destiny USA was still learning what it takes to build a living laboratory for environmental stewardship, renewable energy and innovation,” Congel said. “Fortunately, we were ahead of the curve. Today we are...

ANDOVER, MASS.—In an era of smoke-free spaces, “green” energy, eco-friendly products and environmental health, the Andover Residence Inn recently announced they are offering improved air quality guest accommodations at their hotel. In response to the wellness trends today’s travelers are requesting, the Andover Residence Inn installed the PURE Room system, the most comprehensive allergy-friendly system in the hospitality industry. The hotel now offers guests an environment with cleaner, healthier air. “At the Andover Residence Inn, we aim to perfect the extended stay experience by combining all the comforts of home with all the perks of a hotel,” says Marisa...

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Built to use 40 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than a comparable hotel, Proximity Hotel offers a glimpse of the future while celebrating the past. Sustainable practices, custom-designed furnishings, commissioned art and innovative design await guests in every corner of the 147-room luxury hotel and the adjacent Print Works Bistro. Proximity Hotel’s sustainable design and construction follows the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. With the goal to attain Platinum...

LOS ANGELES—Samsung, a leader in technology and manufacturer of Staron Solid Surface and Tempest, has been granted Greenguard certification by the Greenguard Environmental Institute for its Staron Solid Surface material, including the new Staron Tempest line, as well as its all-acrylic sinks and bowls. Each of the product lines has passed the requirements of two Greenguard certification programs. Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified product certification is granted for low-emitting interior building materials, furnishings and finish systems. The more stringent Greenguard for Children & Schools certification is granted for low-emitting interior building materials, furnishings and finish systems used in educational (daycare...

ATLANTA—Mold contamination can cause rapid deterioration of construction and furnishing materials, leading to excessive project costs for replacement and project delays. Mold growing on these materials also can become a source of indoor air pollutants, which can lead to serious health problems, including allergic reactions and asthma attacks, and potential liability for those who design, build, operate, finance and insure the buildings in which people live and work. Manufacturers are taking the initiative to develop mold resistant products as well as taking the necessary steps to generate confidence in these products by clearly demonstrating how well they resist mold growth....

NATIONAL REPORT—When it comes to wallcoverings, designers, hotel owners, purchasing agents and others have not always had the most environmentally friendly choices. Vinyl—polyvinyl chloride or PVC—years ago included heavy metals and solvent inks. Today, however, it is a different world and 90 percent of heavy metals have been eliminated and water-based inks are used. Some wallcovering makers still tout vinyl’s durability and value, and one has even started recycling it, but others are now offering non-PVC alternatives. One company that has made a big splash at trade shows in the past year with its recycling initiative is LSI Wallcovering, Louisville,...

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.—Next spring will be an exciting time here at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, located in idyllic Lake Placid, home of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Up on the roof of the 153-room property, just between the main lobby and the restaurant, a green roof will be installed. Similar to a garden, the roof will include a bed of soil and plants that will have both aesthetic and environmental benefits. The roof originally was going to be put in place this fall but it was determined that the plants that will rest in the roof modules need more time...

ATLANTA—Natural ventilation has been promoted as a cure-all to reduce cost and energy consumption and to improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort. The reality of natural ventilation, however, is more complicated. A workshop discussing the design and performance of natural systems will be featured at ASHRAE’s IAQ 2007: Healthy and Sustainable Buildings conference. The event will be held in Baltimore October 14-17. In the workshop, entitled “What’s So Great About Natural Ventilation,” Steve Emmerich and Andy Persily, both with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, will discuss how natural ventilation systems relate to existing ventilation, thermal comfort and...