FOREST, VA.—Attaining the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) certification for BESt (Building Environment Standards) buildings with eco-friendly operations and infrastructure represents a tremendous commitment to the environment and sustainability. As a recipient of this certification, the Victoria Conference Centre (VCC) in Victoria, British Columbia continues with initiatives to provide an even cleaner environment for employees and guests.Recently, the VCC installed NanoSeptic surfaces, produced by NanoTouch Materials in Forest, Va., on high traffic touch points throughout the facility. NanoSeptic products have a continuously self-cleaning surface that is “always on,” oxidizing organic contaminants 24/7 without the use of chemicals or...

CINCINNATI—The Procter & Gamble Co. released its 17th annual sustainability report, detailing the progress it is making to reduce its environmental footprint and improve social conditions for those in need.The report reinforces the company’s commitment to operating sustainably and details the progress against the company’s long-term vision of producing products that consumers love while maximizing the conservation of resources, powering all its plants with 100 percent renewable energy, using 100 percent renewable or recycled materials for all products and packaging and having zero consumer and manufacturing waste go to landfill.The report highlights P&G’s recent efforts to address climate change,...

ATLANTA—Georgia-Pacific announced Green Seal certification for a selection of the company’s skincare products. This designation by Green Seal, a third-party sustainability certification organization, is another building block in GP PRO’s offering of sustainable products.The certification applies to enMotion brand general purpose soaps, including fragrance free and Tranquil Aloe. It also applies to Pacific Garden general purpose brand soaps, including fragrance free and Pacific Citrus. All GP PRO general purpose foam soaps are now certified under the Green Seal Standard for Hand Cleaners for Industrial and Institutional Use, GS-41.This standard establishes environmental requirements for industrial heavy-duty hand cleaners and institutional...

More than two decades ago, a company that manufactures circuit boards* for use in a variety of electrical products was facing a quandary. To clean their circuit boards, the company was using a solvent that contained ingredients determined to be harmful to the environment. As a result, they were given two years to phase out the use of these solvents. Company management decided they had four possible options to address this situation: 1.    They could simply not clean the circuit boards, a solution referred to as the “no-clean” process. 2.    They could turn to cleaning processes that use nonsolvent cleaning chemicals. 3.  ...

OMAHA, NEB.—The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) recently released two studies titled, “Qualification of Surface Disinfection using Aqueous Ozone Generated by CleanCore Technologies Ozone Systems.”These studies indicate aqueous ozone cleaning systems can prove very effective at eliminating colony-forming units (CFUs) of both E. coli and listeria from hard surfaces. These bacteria can produce food poisoning-type symptoms that can be very harmful and even result in death. Ozone, which is found naturally in the atmosphere, can be mechanically createdthrough the interaction of electricity and oxygen. It is then infused into water to create aqueous ozone that can be poured into...

LOUISVILLE, KY.— Ask a hotel front desk employee or read an online review to learn quickly that temperature and noise are two of the biggest complaint opportunities for guests, and both can result from a faulty air conditioner. Hospitality industry data proves that when guests are not pleased with the temperature or noise of their room, two-thirds are unlikely to return to the hotel, and one-third are unlikely to recommend a hotel.GE’s new Zoneline packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) are now engineered to be more reliable and quiet, as well as provide energy efficiency and easier installation and maintenance,...

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—AirRevive, a leader in sustainable HVAC refurbishment and re-commissioning services for the hospitality industry, announced its completion of a guestroom fan coil unit refurbishment project for the Little Rock Marriott.Marriott engaged AirRevive to refurbish the guestroom’s Whalen fan coil units after the property’s $16 million dollar renovation in 2014. The renovation included upgrading the guestrooms to Marriott’s new design. The only former asset remaining was the 35-year-old Whalen fan coil units. “Working at Little Rock Marriott after its important renovation was an honor for AirRevive,” said AirRevive President Justin Del Sesto. “AirRevive loves to refurbish Whalen fan coil...

NEW YORK—Leading pest management company Assured Environments is celebrating 81 years of business. A new video offers insight into the Assured Environments story. Beginning with the organization’s founding in the 1930s, the film provides an in-depth look at how the third generation company continues to build its legacy through environmentally conscious practices, utilizing highly educated staff entomologists and delivering comprehensive pest solutions for commercial property owners.In 1934, Daniel Klein founded Allied Exterminating, the company that his son Robert would develop into Assured Environments through a series of strategic acquisitions in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1989, Robert brought his...

BOURNE, MASS.—Onset, a leader in data loggers, announced the availability of a new white paper, “Managing Carbon Dioxide Risk: What You Should Know.” Developed by Onset and Greg Lowitz, CEO and founder of the structural forensics firm Buildera, this 13-page guide explains the risks associated with elevated carbon dioxide levels and discusses how data logging can be a cost-effective indicator of degraded indoor air quality and sick-building syndrome.Facility managers and building engineers can utilize the practical information and tips included in the guide to help them make informed decisions about CO2 data logger selection, calibration, and deployment.A free copy...

NATIONAL REPORT—Experts agree that, at any one time, about 15 to 20 percent of toilets are leaking. They leak for many different reasons—faulty fill valves, bad fill valve seals, corrosion and faulty flappers are some examples. Leaks often go undetected by guests, housekeepers and maintenance personnel. One leaky toilet can lose about 75,000 gallons of water annually. This adds significantly to water and sewage costs. In some instances leaks can result in flooding—an even more expensive scenario for a hotel owner.At least two companies have developed solutions to either stop toilet leaks or detect them so that costs can...