If your hotel advertised that it is so green that it no longer uses cleaning chemicals at all to clean guestrooms, do you think potential guests would make reservations years in advance? Not care if cleaning chemicals, green or otherwise, are used or not? Not even consider making a reservation in your hotel property? If your answer is the last—not even consider making a reservation in your hotel—you are probably not alone. The concept of chemical free cleaning, as it is called, is still very new; however, don’t be surprised if it becomes more and more common and prevalent in...

The hospitality industry has made great strides in embracing green cleaning and its positive impact on the environment, corporate profitability and customers. According to the Green Hotels Assn., the hospitality industry is increasing eco-friendly purchasing and operations, as such matters are increasingly important to guests. Notably, one important aspect of green cleaning that also impacts hotel guests is laundry care. With new technologies in commercial laundry programs, today’s hoteliers have more options than ever when it comes to their on-premise laundry. Cold water washing, in particular, is gaining momentum as it has been shown to be able to boost customer...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. is the first major corporate participant in Minnesota’s newest alternative energy program, which uses community solar gardens—shared solar panel sites with grid-connected subscribers—to offset electricity use.SunEdison, Inc., a leading solar technology manufacturer and provider of solar energy services, will develop the solar gardens under the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards Community Program, which launched in December 2014 in Minnesota. The solar gardens will deliver electricity to Minnesota’s local grid, and as a subscriber, Ecolab will offset the electricity it purchases for its corporate and research, development and engineering campuses in Minnesota.“Supporting SunEdison’s solar garden project enables...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to protect the public from seven ethylene glycol ethers or glymes chemicals that can cause health effects including birth defects and blood toxicity.“Today’s action is part of our continuing efforts to help ensure that chemicals in products we use every day are safe for the American public,” said Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Finalizing this action could prevent an increase in the use of these chemicals and reduce human exposure through ingestion and inhalation.”Some of these chemicals are currently used in consumer products, including...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Agaia, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. According to Agaia, Evolve is the first all-natural, green cleaning technology proven in both lab testing and customer use to match or exceed the performance of petroleum-based Jan-San cleaners and laundry detergents. Five products have received the coveted Green Seal certifications: All Surface Cleaner, Glass & Window, All Duty Industrial 203, Hard Water & Scale Remover, Laundry for Industrial and Institutional Use. Call (800) 992-4242, e-mail learnmore@agaiainc.com or visit www.agaiainc.com.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Agaia, Inc., makers of Evolve, announced that its line of Green Seal approved commercial cleaning products is expanding internationally as pressure mounts in the global janitorial services market for the use of environmentally and human-safe cleaning products and practices.“Since we announced that five Evolve products were awarded Green Seal certifications in July 2014, interest in Agaia’s patented cleaning and laundry technology has increased exponentially and our global distribution network has grown dramatically,” said Agaia, Inc. CEO Mike Linn. “In the last few months alone we’ve added new distributors in North and South America, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and...

When anyone in the hospitality industry considers ways to cut operational costs to save money, chances are the public restroom may not be the first area that comes to mind. However, a few simple changes in restroom fixtures can help to eliminate waste and reduce maintenance costs—all while keeping the restroom clean and sanitary for both customers and employees. Sanitation in the restroom is a major concern, especially during flu season, but cost is a top concern no matter what the season. Paper of every kind has become increasingly expensive over the past decade and typically people use more than...

CHICAGO—A dirty packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) often has to work twice as hard and consumes twice the electricity to reach cooler room temperatures. To help hoteliers select the best A/C coil cleaning process as they plan their 2015 budgets, Cintas Corp. released a complimentary white paper covering the results of two independent A/C coil cleaning studies while providing tips for improving unit life.“Dirty A/C units have to work a lot harder and longer to cool the room, causing both increased noise and annoyance to guests,” said Todd McKeown, Vice President of Direct Sale Strategic Markets, Cintas. “This guide...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, has committed $2 million through the Ecolab Foundation to The Nature Conservancy, a leading conservation organization working to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. The funds will support The Nature Conservancy’s initiative: “Securing and Restoring Water Sources Around the Globe.” The support is part of Ecolab’s newly launched Solutions for Life program, which enhances the company’s work to conserve water and improve hygiene around the world through new partnerships, global philanthropy and employee volunteerism.The world’s water challenges require collaboration by...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Agaia, Inc., makers of Evolve, an eco-preferred, natural green cleaning technology capable of matching or exceeding the performance of petroleum-based laundry detergents and jan-san cleaners, announced that the company’s premier industrial laundry detergent, Evolve Laundry Complete 203L, has been certified by Green Seal as the first detergent to meet its recently published GS-51 guidelines for Laundry Care Products for Industrial & Institutional Use.“We are proud to announce that Evolve Laundry 203L has been awarded the first GS-51 certification by Green Seal for Laundry Care Products for Industrial & Institutional Use,” said Mike Linn, Agaia, Inc. CEO. “Many...