PLYMOUTH, MINN.—Advance now offers vacuums that meet the requirements for sustainable cleaning equipment specified by the Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System (LEED-EBOM). Advance vacuums that can contribute points to LEED certification include Adgility XP backpack vacuums and Spectrum upright vacuums. The Adgility XP and Spectrum vacuums have been awarded the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Seal of Approval and operate with a sound level of less than 70 dBA, both of which are requirements for vacuums under the LEED-EBOM program. The purchase of green cleaning equipment is a prerequisite to Indoor...

PHILADELPHIA—A new, completely natural pest control product for use by pest management professionals to control cockroaches, bed bugs, ants, flies and more than a dozen other pests is now available from FMC Professional Solutions, a business unit of FMC Corp. Introduced earlier this year, Topia insecticide features a proprietary blend of natural oils with well-documented insecticidal properties. Available in a 17-oz. aerosol can, Topia is a water-based product that delivers contact control of many structural pests. “Topia is a breakthrough insecticide product—the first completely natural, water-based insecticide from FMC,” said Chris Bowley, product manager for FMC Professional Solutions. “Pest management professionals...

DUNEDIN, FLA.—Mintek Mobile Data Solutions Inc. announced a unique contest for a fully installed Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) valued at more than $20,000. Contestants will have the opportunity to receive Mintek’s Transcendent, a software application designed to organize and automate many maintenance management functions. The contest which began August 25, 2010 includes: • One site license for one year;• Ten user Web and mobile licenses for one year; • Setup and implementation services; and • Training and support. Transcendent CMMS features include automated work requests, work orders and inspections as well as the collection of asset detail. These features enable maintenance managers to become proactive...

Have you ever implemented an environmental initiative, only to find out that no one on your property knows it’s been implemented? Or launched a recycling program without increasing your capture rates? In today’s day and age, companies cannot afford to ignore sustainability, nor can they afford to put environmental initiatives in place without ever looking back. These programs, similar to mechanical equipment, need maintenance if they are to work effectively and contribute to savings. Ranging from 15 to more than 95 initiatives in place at various Saunders Hotel Group properties, each was at one point selected and implemented based on...

CINCINNATI—American businesses want to clean up their act when it comes to environmental responsibility, but a perceived lack of information and credible resources are holding them back, according to the “Business Cleaning Sustainability Study” conducted on behalf of Procter & Gamble Professional, Procter & Gamble’s away-from-home division serving the foodservice, building cleaning and maintenance, hospitality and convenience store industries. The online study was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, a leading research company, on behalf of P&G Professional. Businesses were surveyed on their sustainability knowledge, product purchase decision-making process and cleaning habits to gauge perceptions, attitudes and behaviors about topics related...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to alert consumers that there has been an increase of individuals or companies who offer to control bedbugs with unrealistic promises of effectiveness or low cost. Because bed bug infestations are so difficult to control, there have been situations where pesticides that are not intended for indoor residential applications have been improperly used or applied at greater rates than the label allows. While controlling bedbugs is challenging, consumers should never use, or allow anyone else to use, a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use, as indicated on the label....

Being eco-savvy is no longer a trend. It has become a lifestyle, dictating consumer attitudes and spending habits, even decisions when it comes to traveling. According to a recent survey, guest satisfaction is substantially higher among guests who report being aware of their hotel’s green programs and seven out of 10 consumers prefer to patronize a business that demonstrates a commitment to the environment. While many eco-friendly efforts take time and money, small and easy conservation measures are having just as much of an impact on satisfying and retaining guests and contributing to a healthy bottom line. One of...

NATIONAL REPORT—The great irony of building green is that the very concepts intended to enhance a building’s performance over its entire lifetime are many of the same things that make a building highly susceptible to moisture and mold problems during its first few years of operation. While green buildings have many positive benefits, there is also strong evidence to suggest a direct correlation between new products/innovative design and building failures. Simply put, departing from the “tried and true” often means increasing the risk of building failure. Two strong characteristics of most green buildings are: 1) the use of innovative, locally-produced products...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a leading distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has added four new product partners: AquaHealth, Evolve Guest Controls, The Green Garmento, and Zero Odor. “We’re proud to have AquaHealth, Evolve, The Green Garmento, and Zero Odor join us as Pineapple Partners,” says Ray Burger, president of Pineapple Hospitality. “Whether it’s a sustainable water solution, energy controls, greener option for guestroom laundry service, or a unique way to actually eliminate odors instead of masking them, these companies demonstrate how everyone in the green hospitality market can work together to bring a...

AUBURN, N.H.—Aquawing Ozone Injection Systems (AWOIS) LLC, in Auburn, N.H., recently released a new laundry ozone injection system engineered to serve the hospitality market, including hotels, motels and B&Bs, according to Brett Daniels, the company’s vice president. The new ozone system works by infusing a continual flow of ozone, at a consistent concentration, into the wash process to properly clean moderately soiled linens and towels. The system, according to Daniels, produces cleaner linens over traditional washing, while significantly reducing the use of natural gas, water and chemicals, as well as resulting costs. “This system was created to address the laundry...