ORLANDO, FLA.—Housekeeping is critical to the success of today’s hospitality operations. The most basic guest expectation is a clean room, and with increasing media coverage of hotel cleanliness, it’s essential to know how to manage the people and processes that make the housekeeping department function. The newly-published third edition of Managing Housekeeping Operations, from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI), presents a competency-based approach to directing the day-to-day operations of this department, from big-picture management issues to technical details for cleaning each area. The third edition of this EI textbook has been completely revised, with more than 100...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes T2 Site Amenities as a Green Product Directory partner. The Highland Park, Ill.-based company offers recycling containers from the top manufacturers, with a choice of fiberglass, steel, sustainable hardwoods, marble and slate construction. T2 offers recycling products for high profile areas, guestrooms and “behind the scenes” areas. Recycling containers can be customized for each property’s needs. Benches and planters are also available. The company’s website includes product, pricing and ordering information. Go to www.t2-sa.com, e-mail info@t2-sa.com, or call (847) 579-9003.

WINCHESTER, VA.—Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), a leader in durable facility maintenance solutions, introduces its new Untouchable Containers and Lids. The new Rubbermaid Untouchable Containers and Lids provide hands-free, hygienic disposal of waste for more efficient recycling. “Rubbermaid’s mission is to provide products that help end-users work smarter,” said Christen Brooker, product manager for Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “And we’ve made that possible with the new Untouchable Container Bottle/Can and Paper Lids which allow for more efficient waste collection that fits into any recycling program.” The Untouchable Containers offer an integrated liner cinch for easy one-step can liner retention that eliminates knot...

WINCHESTER, VA.—Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), a leader in durable facility maintenance solutions, introduces its new Deluxe Paneled Carts—making waste and linen management smart and stylish. With faux mahogany finished doors and panels, the Rubbermaid Deluxe Paneled Carts feature ergonomic handles which help reduce worker strain, making it comfortable to use and easy to maneuver. Flexibility is built-in with RCP’s high quality nylon bags or optional Triple Waste Bag Holders that allow segregation of waste and recycling. And because it’s Rubbermaid, the carts’ all plastic and aluminum construction make it easy to clean as well as chemical- and salt-water resistant. ...

CAMARILLO, CALIF.—Hygiena has just released its newest rapid detection equipment system, the SystemSURE Plus ATP hygiene monitoring system. This new sanitation monitoring system is used to gauge performance of cleaning processes and to verify that cleaning has been done. The SystemSURE Plus detects both microbial and non-microbial contamination in just 15 seconds, allowing cleaning professionals to verify cleaning and record the results. For more information, visit www.hygiena.net.

DALTON, GA.—The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recently announced the first commercial vacuums to earn certification under its new Seal of Approval/Green Label testing program. An independent testing laboratory certified that the vacuums meet high industry standards for soil removal, indoor air quality and carpet fiber protection. This announcement coincided with the 2007 ISSA/Interclean trade show in Orlando, Fla., where CRI showcased the newest addition to its Seal of Approval program for carpet cleaning solutions and equipment. Nearly 300 products carry the CRI Seal of Approval. The Proteam Sierra CM and the TTI Rubbermaid prototype earned the highest gold...

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...

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—There’s an “invasion” of little pink bags occurring in female restrooms across the United States as inventor-entrepreneur Ann Germanow launches SCENSIBLES, a specially designed single-use scented bag for the hygienic disposal of feminine care products. “The inspiration for SCENSIBLES came several years ago when I noticed signs in public restrooms that read: Do not flush tampons,” explained Germanow, co-founder and president of The Scensible Source Company, LLC. “The only option was discarding items in filthy, germ-contaminated stall waste bins which were unacceptable to me.” SCENSIBLES bags are designed with a contemporary pink on pink floral pattern, with a delicate scent...

NATIONAL REPORT—Visitors to the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa won’t find the usual Gideon Bible in the nightstand drawer. Instead, on the bureau will be a copy of An Inconvenient Truth, former Vice President Al Gore’s book on global warming. Guests will also find the Gaia equipped with waterless urinals, solar lighting, recycled paper and other green features. Similar features are found just 35 miles south at San Francisco’s Orchard Garden Hotel, which competes for customers with neighboring luxury hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and the Fairmont. The Gaia and the Orchard Garden Hotel are among a growing number of...

GLENVIEW, ILL.—Protect-A-Bed announced that its innovative mattress protector product, AllerZip, was honored with the 2007 Editor’s Choice Award at the 92nd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York. One of 10 awardees, Protect-A-Bed’s AllerZip is a complete mattress encasement that protects against liquids, allergens, mites and bed bugs—a growing problem in hotels across the country. The Editors’ Choice Awards recognize the year’s most innovative new products for the hospitality industry. Protect-A-Bed won the award for the category of “essentials.” “This award confirms that it is vital for all hotels, big and small, to use bedding protectors on...