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...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes DECONGREEN INC. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The company’s protocol to eradicate bed bugs is EPA registered, non-toxic, and kills on contact. DECONGREEN also offers a solution for bacteria-caused odors—destroying the bacteria on contact. Mold, smoke damage, viruses and fungi can also be treated with DECONGREEN products.For more information, e-mail greg@decongreeninc.com, call (877) 293-3266, ext. 1, or go to www.decongreeninc.com.

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Terminix announced it has officially launched its eco-friendly service for commercial customers, a pest management system designed to nurture a more sustainable environment. Terminix Commercial EcoControl introduces “greener” solutions to protect businesses from pests, thereby allowing these partners to be more environmentally responsible. Company officials note traditional pest control services in the commercial segment have long emphasized treatments using pesticides as the primary method for dealing with infestations, and not the elimination of conducive conditions. In contrast, pest prevention is a much more environmentally sustainable approach than simply reacting to them. Terminix Commercial EcoControl takes its Integrated Pest Management...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—ClearWater Tech, LLC, a leading manufacturer of ozone systems for water and air purification, announced the addition of the recently designed CD12/AD corona discharge ozone generator to its line of wall-mounted ozone generators. Featuring dual ozone reaction chambers, the CD12/AD is engineered with an efficient built-in air dryer for the highest grams per hour and ozone concentration in a compact, air-cooled, self-contained package. To keep in line with our other popular Mini-Series products, the CD12/AD includes a regulated universal power supply, and user-friendly LED light operational status display. It versatile enough to be used in highly technical...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando announced that it has become the first hotel in the city to introduce PURE Allergy Friendly Rooms. The Doubletree location has introduced an entire floor of 24 new PURE rooms which create an allergy-friendly environment and remove up to 98 percent of bacteria and viruses. Travelers who occasionally suffer from allergies and asthma can now enjoy cleaner, fresher air in their rooms and enjoy a more restful sleep during their stay. “The Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando is proud to be the first hotel in Orlando to...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Made in USA Certified, Inc., a leader in independent, third party assurance verification for genuine Made in USA products, announced that the XLERATOR line of high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers have been granted the Made in USA Certified Seal of Certification. The American made XLERATOR is the only hand dryer that is MADE IN USA CERTIFIED, working in compliance with the Buy American provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which ensures that stimulus money continues to support American innovation and manufacturing while restoring and renovating federal facilities into high-performance, green buildings. Unlike conventional hand dryers’ 30 to...