OAKVILLE, ONT.—Howard Johnson Canada announced that it will become the first mid-market hotel brand within Canada to provide a 100 percent smoke-free guest experience. Each of their 3,500 guestrooms across Canada will become 100 percent smoke free by September 1, 2007. This change comes with the support of Howard Johnson’s franchisees. “This move is in reaction to the input and opinions of our franchise family and hotel guests,” says Glen Blake, president of Howard Johnson Canada Franchise Systems Limited. “Based on our research, we know this move will result in a cleaner, healthier and more family friendly...

ATLANTA—With concern for our nation’s environment and conservation of its natural resources on the rise, today’s travelers want a safer, more healthy and sustainable experience while on the road. Now, two hotel chains—America’s Best Inns & Suites and Country Hearth Inns—will feature a green initiative known as EcoRooms with products that are energy efficient, water efficient, waste reducing, and non-toxic and/or biodegradable. The systemwide program was announced by America’s Best Franchising Inc., franchisor of the hotel brands. “EcoRooms are more comfortable for guests and more cost-effective for hotels,” says Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of America’s Best Franchising...

DUNEDIN, FLA.—Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, a developer of turn-key solutions for city utilities, lodging and cable companies, announced that it is celebrating its 20th year in business. For two decades, Mintek has specialized in automated systems that incorporate bar coding and mobile devices to provide oversight of processes such as preventive maintenance and warehouse inventory tracking. “It is with great pride that we announce our 20th anniversary,” says Jim Hutton, President of Dunedin, Fla.-based Mintek. “It is a landmark worth celebrating. Mintek has reached 20 years because it has always given its customers what they want: the most...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Better Living as a Green Product Directory partner. Holiday Island, Ark.-based Better Living is a provider of U.S.-made Sun Aire Ductless Furnaces and Sun Aire Air Purifiers. The energy-efficient Ductless Furnace can heat an area of up to 500 square feet economically with clean, comfortable radiant heat. The Sun Aire Air Purifier safely eliminates airborne bacteria and viruses, mold spores, and pet/smoke/ammonia odors using a natural sunlight process. The purifiers are made from brushed stainless steel and include a lifetime/washable 0.5 micron pre-filter. They weigh just...

A hotel housekeeper, ignoring the strong odors that filled the guestroom as she worked, always scrubbed the shower stalls with a commercial cleaner she had used for years. The housekeeper liked the product because it was powerful and effective, cutting her cleaning time considerably. However, one day she began coughing uncontrollably. It was then that she wondered if this “tried and true” product might be more harmful to her health than she ever thought. In addition, she realized that although she had read the directions on how to use the product, she never read anything more on the label such...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. has published its 2006 Sustainability Report, which details the corporation’s efforts in the areas of economic progress, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. It provides data on related activities for 2006. “Sustainability at Ecolab is much more than just a green product line,” says Bruce Cords, vice president of Environment, Food Safety and Public Health. “Sustainability is something we work to integrate into all that we do as part of our business development and daily practice.” Highlights of the report include: Continued advancements in research and development. From solid formulations to innovative packaging...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—Beginning this month, commercial or institutional cleaning executives will have no excuse for not starting a green cleaning program. That’s when ISSA will publish a special industry-specific edition of Green Cleaning for Dummies, written by industry experts Steve Ashkin and David Holly, which demystifies and simplifies the green cleaning process. “Setting up a green cleaning program is easier than people think,” says Ashkin, who has spent more than 25 years in the cleaning industry and the past 17 years advocating for environmentally preferable cleaning. “Based on our extensive experience greening the cleaning industry, we were able to...

PHILADELPHIA—National Chemical Laboratories announces the introduction of Earth Sense Aspire Environmentally Responsible Metal-Free Floor Sealer/Finish. Aspire is certified by Green Seal under GS-40, along with the companion product Green Impact Environmentally Responsible Speed Stripper. Go to National Chemical Laboratories.

PORTLAND, ORE.—The ongoing efforts of the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower—one of the country’s first hotels to green its operations and the largest hotel in Oregon—have been recognized by Green Seal with the coveted Green Seal Lodging Properties certification (www.greenseal.org). Green Seal is a nonprofit organization that promotes the management, purchase and use of environmentally responsible products and services. In 2005, Hilton Portland & Executive Tower turned its attention to greening hotel operations. Recognizing the enormous consumption and dramatic impact of the hospitality industry on the planet, hotel management decided to take action to decrease its environmental footprint....

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Although travelers burn gas to get to their destinations, one answer to greener travel is to vacation by choosing an eco-friendly B&B. BedandBreakfast.com innkeepers are moving toward greener getaways by investing in earth-friendly practices to ensure guests the finest in eco-escapes. BedandBreakfast.com currently lists more than 35 earth-friendly special packages. Listed in alphabetical order by state, here are some examples of green packages offered by BedandBreakfast.com members. Strawberry Creek B&B, Idyllwild, Calif.: Relax on soft, cotton-like hammocks made from recycled soda bottles. This inn’s tranquil wooded setting is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as an...