WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that more than 2,500 products are now authorized by the agency under its Design for the Environment (DfE) Safer Product Labeling Program to carry the DfE label. DfE-labeled products do not contain known chemicals of potential concern, like carcinogens, reproductive or developmental toxicants. Even minor product components, like dyes and fragrances, are screened for safety. EPA also announced that it soon will require manufacturers with products that bear the DfE logo to disclose their ingredients to consumers. “EPA’s DfE Program helps empower people to choose products that are safer for their families...

CHICAGO—Bird-X recently introduced “Bed Bug Alert” at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas. Bed Bug Alert is a clear, safe, rigid plastic bed bug monitoring device—about the size of a business card—that slips under the mattress or into other tight spaces where bed bugs are suspected. A special gel inside the device, containing human pheromones, attracts and traps bed bugs if they are present, alerting one to the problem before it is too late. Bed bugs are found in homes, apartments, dorm rooms, hotel rooms, airplanes, public transit seats, cars and moving vans—pretty much anywhere they can find a...

It’s easy to see why “green cleaning” is a hot industry topic. We all want a clean and healthy space to live, work and play—and we need to achieve that in a sustainable way so we can enjoy that space for the long term. More emphasis has been placed on sustainability within the lodging industry during the last decade. In fact, the 2010 “Business Cleaning Sustainability Study,” conducted by Procter & Gamble Professional, revealed that nine out of 10 survey respondents believe sustainability and environmental responsibility is important for their business. Furthermore, of all the industries surveyed, these practices resonated...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Vaska as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Vaska provides green housekeeping and laundry solutions. Vaska’s products are highly effective at removing dirt, stains and smudges. The three product housekeeping system is efficient, simple, and easy to use. The natural formulation provides superior cleaning results without harming the environment. For laundry, Vaska’s hypo-allergenic, botanical formulations use natural ingredients that provide superior cleaning results without harming the environment, employees, or equipment. In 2008, Vaska was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “Champion” status, their highest level of sustainability. For...

TAMPA, FLA.—Avtron LoadBank Inc. has introduced its new compact portable convective heater designed for the purpose of killing heat-sensitive insects, especially bed bugs. The ultra-efficient heater delivers up to 20 kW of forced-convection heat from a lightweight, easy-to-handle unit. Heat remediation is now broadly recognized throughout the world as one of the cleanest, most effective ways to destroy bed bugs and similar insects. If performed correctly, heat remediation completely eliminates the problem by destroying not only adult insects but also insect eggs and larvae. The challenge in this process is ensuring that every corner of the space being treated receives consistent,...

CHICAGO—Most cleaning professionals know vacuum cleaners with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can help protect indoor air quality. These filters capture the smallest of particles, down to 0.3 microns in size, 99.97 percent of the time. They can trap smoke, molds, bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and other particles. However, over time, HEPA filters need to be replaced. This is crucial for the vacuum cleaner to operate at optimal performance. But because HEPA filters can last a fairly long time, it is not uncommon for cleaning professionals to simply forget to change them. Daniel Frimml, a service technician for Tornado...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—DestinationGreen, the free monthly e-newsletter of The Ashkin Group distributed to nearly 4,000 subscribers every month, has been totally redesigned. In addition to the redesign, the seven-year-old publication now also has its own website containing current as well as past e-newsletter content specifically addressing green cleaning and sustainability issues.  The whole idea behind the new design is not to just update the look, but to strengthen the company’s mission and goals for the industry, according to Elizabeth Crosbie, marketing manager for The Ashkin Group.   “Due to our direct involvement on both the national and international level working with...

AKRON, OHIO—GOJO Industries, Inc. underscored its strong commitment to following sustainable business practices and made public its new GOJO Sustainability Policy. The policy commits to sustainable business practices as they relate to social, environmental and economic well-being. GOJO has a long history of sustainable business practices in the skin-care industry. In 1952, founders Goldie and Jerry Lippman invented the world’s first portion-control hand-cleaner dispenser to reduce waste. In 1983, GOJO developed liquid soap dispensing systems using GOJO SANITARY SEALED refills, a more hygienic alternative to bar soap or bulk dispensers. More recently, the company created GOJO GREEN HYGIENE Solutions, the...

ESCRIBANO BAY, PANAMA—Set to premier July 2011, Panama’s Coral Lodge eco-resort will offer families spacious over-the-water bungalows set in a pristine natural setting with coral reefs, golden beaches, a tropical rainforest, and the fascinating Kuna culture. The newest member of the Desires Hotels International collection of independently created boutique hotels, Coral Lodge’s thatch-roof bungalows will have 650 square feet of living space featuring local art. Coral Lodge will make every effort to preserve and protect its host environment, while working with local people to prove that luxury and conservation are not mutually exclusive. Considered a model for eco-development in the...

SAN DIEGO—HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products, announced the release of its 2011 full-line Catalog Volume 61 featuring more than 22,000 in-stock products and value-added services—available with free, next-day delivery. “Customers have evolving needs and expectations,” said Anesa Chaibi, president and CEO of HD Supply Facilities Maintenance. “With our broad product and service offering, they can rely on us to deliver the right solution every time. We continually monitor and analyze customer feedback to identify the key areas that matter most. This enables us to meet and exceed those expectations.” The 1,800-page catalog...