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...

CINCINNATI—P&G Professional, the away-from-home division of Procter & Gamble, has launched MyTradeShowToGo.com, an interactive experience allowing users to gain the industry insights offered at a trade show every day of the year. Now, those looking for the latest news and innovations don’t have to wait to gather information they need at the next industry event; they can simply log on to the Virtual Trade Show from the comfort and convenience of their office. P&G Professional created MyTradeShowToGo.com as an innovative response to the lodging industry’s need for constant access to the detailed news, information and offerings presented at trade shows....

OLD SAYBROOK, CONN.—Situated on the site of one of New England’s first settlements (1623), the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa here has a rich history. Located in an environmentally sensitive area on the Connecticut River, one that recently has seen eagles return to it, the property is a champion of energy conservation and environmental protection. The 82-room inn has been run by the Tagliatela family since it opened as a renovated property in 1989. Stephen Tagliatela, co-owner, says the inn is the first full-service lodging establishment in Connecticut to earn the Energy Star from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and...

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...

NEW YORK—The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show may have seen its greenest collection of products in its history, as this year’s collection of exhibitors featured everything from towels with organic cotton and bamboo blends to touch-activated faucet systems that allow one to choose hot, warm or cold water with the touch of a button. Environmental concern was evident in exhibitor booth marketing as well, as vendors used green themes to catch attendees’ attention. The following are just some of the product announcement highlights from the show this past week. HD Supply rolled out its ideallygreen campaign, which emphasizes the environmental...

CHICAGO—For hotel developers in search of everything necessary to build smart, high performance buildings, Greenbuild was the place to be this week. Approximately 850 vendors offering everything from environmentally friendly cinder block to roofing materials to carpeting were on hand. The event, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, was held here in Chicago at McCormick Place. Here are just a few of the vendor announcement highlights: • As a part of its continued commitment to sustainable practices, Osram Sylvania announced its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program. By participating in Climate Leaders, Sylvania has pledged...