As an observer of the lodging industry, one of the most fascinating ongoing debates to watch is the hand dryer versus paper towel debate. You almost need a Ph.D. to understand it all. The center of the battle is the public restroom and the conversation involves many issues: environmental impact, hygiene, labor, plumbing and even plumbing code specifications. The more you learn, the more confused you can get—kind of like reading about the Mueller investigation. What prompted me to write about this topic is an online article in the Journal of Hospital Infection posted in July. The title of the article:...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Excel Dryer as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Excel Dryer’s expanded and enhanced product line features the high-speed, energy-efficient XLERATOR, XLERATOReco and ThinAir Hand Dryers, the first in the industry to receive Environmental Product Declaration certification from UL Environment. Enhanced standard features include adjustable speed and sound controls, adjustable heat settings (high, medium, low and off), an externally visible Service LED and multi-voltage options. Call (888) 998-7704 or e-mail sales@exceldryer for more information.

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes TMI Sustainable Aquatics to its Green Product & Service Directory. From its inception in 1995, TMI has recognized the need for sustainability in recreational water, and concentrates on reducing the carbon footprint and energy usage of each aquatic center that it works with. TMI’s mission is to promote the advancement of sustainable aquatics. It utilizes Salt Pure chlorine generation equipment along with Salt Synergy UV and Chemistry Controllers to create the most pleasurable and healthy water possible, while reducing the amount of chemicals that are added to the water. By...

ORLANDO, FLA.—A new concept in tourism is coming to Orlando in 2019. Healthy Vacation Club will be transforming the tourism landscape by meeting the needs of the sustainability, organic, and non-toxic focused travel markets. The travel industry in the United States has been slow to adapt to the quickly growing demand for organic products, leaving those who strive to remove toxins from their lives with few vacation options. The brainchild of this innovative travel concept is Emelie Kamp, a wellness entrepreneur and founder of Worth it Living, a wellness brand whose mission is to empower individuals to live with wellness and...

ATLANTA—ASHRAE has published a revised edition of its standard that provides a more comprehensive approach to preventing the growth and spread of Legionella. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems establishes minimum legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems. The 2018 edition provides clarification of compliance requirements, as well as an update to enforceable, code-intended language to facilitate adoption of the standard for code and regulatory purposes. The standard was originally developed to help designers and building operators establish water management plans that include practices specific to the systems that exist in a particular building, campus or health care facility....

PHOENIX—DrainFunnel, a bathtub clog prevention device, has launched on Kickstarter. In addition to preventing clogs, DrainFunnel inventor Justin Hillsten says users will also enjoy saving time and money, avoiding hiring an expensive plumber to unclog their drain and trying to pull out gross hair balls on their own. “The number one cause of clogged drains is hair,” Hillsten says. “Hair and soap scum build up on the drain’s crossbars and around the tub stopper or grate. The majority of these clogs are superficial and able to be cleared with a pair of pliers or metal coat hanger.” In creating the DrainFunnel,...

TROY, N.Y.—The first-of-its-kind ellumi germ-killing Recessed Shower Light—powered by Vital Vio’s proprietary VioSafe technology which safely, effectively, and continuously kills fungi and bacteria—has been launched by Evolution Lighting, and is now available. Now, with the flip of a switch, lights can be killing germs and visibly reducing the dreadful build-up of mold in showers and bathtubs as well as other spaces. Unlike single-purpose lights that only illuminate a room, this innovative LED multi-tasks. With the flip of a switch it goes from Standard Mode to its powerful Disinfection Mode—immediately working to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria such Serratia...

NATIONAL REPORT—The Third Annual Green Lodging Trends Report Survey will close on August 17, 2018. You can participate in the survey by clicking here. There is no cost to participate. Tens of thousands of green lodging establishments around the planet are being encouraged to benchmark their sustainability practices by completing this survey which last year saw some 2,100 properties participating from 46 countries. The survey encompasses topics ranging from energy management to communication to Health & Wellness. The Green Lodging Trends Report Survey has the support of Green Lodging News, Green Key, Travelife, Green Key Global, Horwath HTL, Green Seal,...

The hotel/hospitality industry has long been a leader in the “green” movement. Years ago, when I was better known as the “Father of Green Cleaning,” I applauded the hospitality industry in North America for the many steps they have and were taking to provide healthier indoor environments for their guests. They did this by transferring to green cleaning. However, they were certainly not doing this just for my approval. As more and more of their corporate clients insisted on selecting green hotels for their visiting business guests, being green meant money in the bank. Because the corporate sector is so...

LENOX, MASS.—Zogics’ new suite of cleaning products is concentrated to yield gallons of usable cleaning solution, all while promoting environmentally-responsible application. The lineup is ECOLOGO approved and offers the diversity needed to meet a wide range of uses and specialties. The lineup includes all-purpose cleaners to degreasers and odor eliminators. The general-purpose cleaner safely and thoroughly performs all cleaning applications including removal of heavy grease and soil. This moderate foam formula leaves a clean, film free surface, making it the ideal product for scrubbing and recoating without the use of harmful chemicals, such as: phosphates (promote algae blooms), EDTA (carcinogen)...