ORLANDO, FLA.—The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) has launched the Charter for Sustainable Cleaning, a voluntary initiative to promote and demonstrate continual improvement in the cleaning products industry’s sustainability profile. The Charter was unveiled during the ACI’s 2014 Annual Meeting & Industry Convention.The Charter, which is designed to go beyond basic legal requirements, provides a framework for driving the industry toward common sustainability goals. It requires companies to have systems in place for continual assessment, review, and improvement of sustainability performance, including raw material selection, resource use, and occupational health and safety, at every important stage of the product lifecycle.“By...

GURNEE, ILL.—KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort has been honored with the StayGreen designation from the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) for its continued efforts to proactively use eco-friendly products and services to reduce its impact on the environment.IHLA’s StayGreen designation standards are extensive and specific. Environmentally friendly efforts outlined in the StayGreen questionnaire include efforts such as recycling and waste management programs, the use of Energy Star products throughout guestrooms and hotel, the use of only non-phosphate, nontoxic, biodegradable concentrated cleaning products and laundry detergent, and consumable paper products made from recycled fibers, such as tissue, napkins, paper...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes umf Corp. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The company’s PerfectCLEAN patented color coded, ONEperROOM system of high performance textiles, wipers, sponges, tube mops, flat mops and ergonomically designed hardware achieve a healthier guest environment and are proven to support increased guest satisfaction scores.PerfectCLEAN combines performance, increased productivity and waste reduction with significant cost savings. Developed for hospital infection prevention programs, PerfectCLEAN’s training and expertise has now been adopted by all leading hotel brands. PerfectCLEAN supports sustainability programs, including LEED certification—ensuring a safer guest and...

NATIONAL REPORT—Not so long ago, the solution for dealing with a hotel pest infestation was to “call the exterminator,” conjuring up cartoony images of a man with a poison-pump, misting unknown chemicals into the air of the business, chasing out customers and pests with the plume. For hotels in New York, where daily business activity is critical for the financial health of the business, this kind of thing could be devastating, but we live in a different world today. Now, safety and health are first and foremost in the mind of any pest control professional. Modern pest control methods...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. introduces Antimicrobial Fruit and Vegetable Treatment (AFVT)—a product to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness outbreaks related to ineffective produce washing in foodservice operations. AFVT is the industry’s first no-rinse produce wash to earn both Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for pathogen reduction in the water for whole produce and on the surface of cut fruits and vegetables.“Our customers count on us to provide products that help deliver clean, safe and healthy environments everywhere it matters—and the food safety arena is particularly important,” said Kris Kielsa, vice...

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—Bradley Corp., a leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures and washroom accessories, announced nationwide availability for the company’s latest commercial hand-washing innovation—the Advocate AV-Series Lavatory System. This “all-in-one” sink, faucet and dual-sided hand dryer solution delivers the first U.S. made, completely touchless hand-washing experience for a more sustainable, clean and efficient lavatory environment.“After years of research and valuable customer feedback, Bradley is proud to deliver such an innovative, logical and effective solution as the Advocate Lavatory System to the market,” said Jason Renner, senior product manager, Bradley Corp. “As our customers embrace the core design and completely...

NEW YORK—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra low water cleaning system, announced the company has been awarded the Editors’ Choice Award, Best New Product for Hotel Operations. The award was presented November 10, during the Opening Ceremonies of the 98th annual International Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Show  (IHMRS) at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.The annual Editors’ Choice Awards recognize best new products within seven categories of the hotel industry, including operations. This year, the panel of judges, which included editors from leading hospitality trade publications, reviewed more than 100 submissions of the latest hotel products. Winners...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Excel Dryer as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Excel Dryer’s XLERATOReco includes new “no heat” technology. XLERATOReco offers the same performance and reliability as the original patented technology XLERATOR—drying hands in less than 15 seconds while using one-third the energy of other high speed and trough-style hand dryers. XLERATOReco enables green lodging facilities to reduce costs, labor, maintenance and waste while also significantly reducing their carbon footprint. Call (888) 998-7704, e-mail sales@exceldryer.com, or go to www.exceldryer.com for more information.

ORLANDO, FLA.—Hyatt Regency Orlando, formerly The Peabody Orlando, announced it will offer 25 new hypoallergenic rooms installed by PURE Solutions. Treated with a patented seven-step process to kill and protect against 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, PURE rooms virtually eliminate all surface and airborne irritants and create a hypoallergenic and rejuvenating space for allergy-sufferers and health-conscious travelers.“Our allergy-friendly rooms are especially popular with business travelers,” said Brian Brault, CEO of PURE Solutions. “When you’re away from home for a business meeting or conference, the last thing you want to worry about are allergy symptoms or getting a good...

MEDINA, MINN.—Polaris Industries Inc. announced the availability of the all-new Polaris GEM eM1400 vehicle. The compact electric vehicles are ready for order through all 280 authorized GEM dealers in North America. With industry-leading payload and cargo as well as versatile configurations, the GEM eM1400 can be customized to fit a variety of work applications.“The entire GEM team is extremely excited to bring the all-new eM1400 to the market,” said Tim Blinkhorn, General Manager for GEM. “This vehicle was purpose built for customers who want a light electric utility vehicle that is rugged, durable, and tackles work applications.”Backed by 60...