ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services, ranks third on Barron’s 2021 list of the Most Sustainable Companies in the U.S. The list ranks companies based on 230 performance indicators, including workplace diversity and greenhouse gas emissions, and how they performed for five key constituencies: shareholders, employees, customers, community and the planet. Ecolab has been named to Barron’s Most Sustainable Companies in the U.S. list every year since it was first released in 2018. “Sustainability is core to our purpose to make the world cleaner, safer and healthier,” said Ecolab CEO...

FAROE ISLANDS—For those of you not familiar with their location, the Faroe Islands are a North Atlantic archipelago located 200 miles north-northwest of Scotland, and about halfway between Norway and Iceland. Like Greenland, it is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Last October, the 130-room Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands opened on the islands in Torshavn with a bundle of unique green features. Green Lodging News recently corresponded with Kate Mikesell, VP Corporate Responsibility, Hilton, and Martin Restorff, General Manager of the hotel, to learn about those green gems. For Kate Mikesell, VP Corporate Responsibility, Hilton: Q: Explain how...

CHICAGO—Eco Smart Health announced that their Sonic Smart Antimicrobial System can effectively reduce virus transmission within schools, gyms, spas, salons, hotels, and dental/medical offices. Pure Sonic molecules attach and dissolve the virus protein envelope causing the virus to expire. The entire process takes approximately 90 seconds. The company’s patented all-natural EPA exempt (FIRFA) and FDA (GRAS) recognized formulation Pure Sonic is suspended into the air and on all surfaces by way of the company’s patent pending Sonic Smart Aero Cleaner device. With the union of both innovative products, 99.9 percent of pathogens such as SARS Associated Human Coronavirus, Norovirus; Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C,...

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped hotel operations in many areas, from contactless check-in to keyless room entry to QR codes for restaurant menus. Hotel gym operations and cleaning protocols have also changed in response to pandemic health and safety concerns. Many of these changes are projected to become mainstays in 2021 and beyond to meet guest expectations for enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols. For most hotel guests, the best location, five-star restaurants and over the top amenities have taken a back seat to high standards for health and safety. According to a TripAdvisor survey, cleanliness is the most important factor in...

AVON, CONN.—iCleanse, a leader in chemical-free UV-C disinfection technology for over 10 years, announced that it has expanded into the European market with iCleanse UK Ltd, growing the iCleanse 40+ sales representatives across the United States with an international sales team in the U.K., including representatives in Great Britain, Wales, and Scotland. Currently used in over 100 U.S. hospitals, the iCleanse UV-C technology includes the patented Swift line of disinfection products for mobile devices and other personal items for use in hospitals, government buildings, and other businesses and homes to keep them safe and free of pathogens, such as...

LAS VEGAS—UBTECH Robotics, a global leader in intelligent humanoid robotics and AI technologies, recently introduced the newest additions to its portfolio of humanoid robots at CES 2021: ADIBOT: UV-C Disinfecting Robots; and AMR: Intelligent Logistics Robotic System. ADIBOT UV-C Disinfecting Robots—The ADIBOT robotic disinfection system provides a superior, effective, hospital-grade solution against COVID-19 to help businesses and schools safely reopen in the midst of the pandemic. It combines the robotics and AI expertise from UBTECH with UV-C technology that disinfects targeted surfaces and air by deactivating the DNA and RNA of harmful pathogens. Available in stationary and autonomous models,...

FORT LEE, N.J.—Even before COVID-19 there was an “ick” factor when it came to touching public door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, and other high-touch areas. Today? These areas are of course of much greater concern. Back in 2018, Zeynep “Z” Ekemen, one of the inventers and current Managing Partner of Silver Defender, recognized the need for some type of antimicrobial protection on high-touch areas. “We wanted to create the next Purell,” she says. Ekemen and her colleagues developed chemical-free Silver Defender antimicrobial protected film that can be applied to any high-touch surface. Silver Defender’s technology is activated by light, air...

SKOKIE, ILL.—UMF Corp. has partnered with Medentech to bring Kloreseâ, a private-labeled version of Klorkleen2 disinfectant, to the U.S. market. Registered by the EPA (#71847-7-94101), Klorese is included on the EPA List N for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and List K for use against Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Klorese is a hospital-grade disinfectant that produces hypochlorous acid (HOCL), the same antimicrobial chemical produced by the human body to fight infection. The disinfectant has broad spectrum effectiveness against human coronavirus, C. diff, Candida auris, MRSA and many additional bacteria, fungi, spores, viruses and mycobacteria. Klorese is...

With multiple effective COVID-19 vaccines emerging, hotels are looking forward to hosting more guests in 2021 and beyond. Even after most of the population has been vaccinated, many guests will likely maintain heightened awareness of hotel cleanliness. At the same time, the environmental crisis is worsening, and a growing number of Americans are feeling its impact. A recent Pew Research Center survey found a majority (62 percent) of Americans see the climate crisis affecting their local communities. These conditions create a perfect opportunity for hotels to emphasize sustainability in their cleaning programs. It is crucial to understand that green cleaning...

NATIONAL REPORT—The hotel industry is one of the most successful in the world, but also one of the most competitive. Statistics show that there are literally hundreds of thousands of hotels worldwide, each competing with the surrounding establishments for the attention of each and every traveler, and all doing what they can do to stay ahead of the game and keep up with the competition. The roles and responsibilities of a hotelier can therefore be varied and numerous, as it’s vital to constantly try to think two steps ahead and explore every avenue to improve your service, appeal to the...