NEW YORK—GTC Greening the Cleaning announced that its new and improved line of cleaning products is now third-party tested and verified. An independent lab has certified that every single product is as green as its label indicates. “This is big news as most green cleaning products on the market do not have their claims verified and tested by a third party,” said Deirdre Imus, founder and president of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center. “Here at GTC, we’re proud to be continually raising the bar for green cleaning.”Deirdre developed the award winning GTC program and product line back in...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—TRSA has launched its Hygienically Clean certification program to recognize textile services companies’ commitment to cleanliness through third-party, quantified biological testing and inspection. The certification process eliminates subjectivity by verifying that textiles cleaned in these facilities meet hygiene standards appropriate for any type of business that uses garments, linens, towels, floor mats, mops and other professionally laundered items. A specific designation for laundries with medical work (Hygienically Clean—Healthcare) is available and another will soon be offered for those who serve restaurants and other businesses where food safety is paramount (Hygienically Clean—Food Service). To attain a Hygienically Clean certification, a laundry...

TOLEDO, OHIO—Betco Corp. introduces its Smart Restroom System. The Smart Restroom System provides a comprehensive solution to building owners, managers, and facility management to reduce building operating expenses while conserving natural resources while generating higher customer retention and satisfaction. Betco’s Smart Restroom System includes SmartValve and SmartScreen. These patent pending components turn most any urinal with a standard or automatic flush mechanism into a water conserving urinal avoiding costly tear-outs and installation of water free urinals as well as monthly cartridge maintenance costs. SmartValve and SmartScreen: •    Install quickly. The locking unit replaces handle or automated flusher in less than five...

NATIONAL REPORT—In a 2010 bed bug study, 95 percent of U.S. pest control companies surveyed reported finding at least one bed bug infestation in the past year. Rollins performed more than 8,000 bed bug treatments in the first quarter alone. Bed bugs continue to sweep the news and are on the rise in almost every environment, from the bedroom to the board room. A quick Google search on bed bugs reveals nearly 4,000 news results in 2010, and their search volume is up 450 percent in the past six years. Thought to be introduced with the early colonists, reports of...

MUKILTEO, WASH.—Believe it or not, the first official recorded incident of “sick building syndrome” occurred at the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1988. This ironic turn of events happened shortly after new carpeting was installed in the facility. Health experts believed that the newly installed carpeting was probably releasing high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing illness among the agency’s staff. Although there have been many advances, carpet installation can still pose a risk to human health more than 20 years after that incident. And as spring approaches, many facility managers face two choices when...

LOUISVILLE, COLO.—Unearthed Paints, a manufacturer of eco-friendly paints and plasters, announced the release of their new natural Hard Wax Oil finish—a durable surface treatment, ensuring protection for wood, cork and stone in interior applications. Unearthed Hard Wax Oil is produced from natural raw materials and is non-toxic and VOC-free. Unearthed Hard Wax Oil finish provides a natural, breathable silky-matte finish that penetrates deep into the pores to enhance the wood’s natural beauty. The transparent, honey tinge hue allows the wood’s inherent characteristics to show through. “Conventional polyurethane finishes are a plastic-like layer that sits on top of your wood floor,” says...

JUPITER, FLA.—Fresh-Aire UV, the manufacturer of the original 24 Volt Blue-Tube UV and the APCO in-duct air purifiers, introduces the Mini UV System, the first germicidal ultra-violet light system designed specifically for mini-split and other ductless air-conditioning units in residential and commercial applications.The Mini UV’s patent-pending miniaturized components, consisting of two pencil-thin, 9 (L) x 3/8 (D)-inch UV lamps and a 6 (W) x 1.5 (H) x 1 (D)-inch, 120 or 208-230-VAC power supply, fit inside all ductless A/C brands and even the tightest compact mini-split spaces.Like all Fresh-Aire UV products, the Mini UV inhibits all mold and other...

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—The Radisson Grand Rapids Riverfront Hotel announced that it has implemented a facility-wide “Green Clean Sweep” by permanently replacing traditional cleaners and sanitizers with plant-based, environmentally preferable alternatives made by green chemical manufacturer EcoLogic Solutions. In addition to the health and environmental benefits, the shift will reduce the hotel’s chemical costs and usage by an estimated 15 percent each year, according to Radisson Grand Rapids Riverfront Hotel general manager, Todd Roesler. “Sustainable commercial cleaning supplies have come a long way recently,” said Roesler. “They’re now every bit as effective as the old fashioned alternatives, often lower in cost, and...

WEST CHICAGO, ILL.—According to an online survey conducted for Tornado Industries, 67 percent of respondents, a clear majority, agree with the following statement, “We are stripping and refinishing floors less frequently today than we were five years ago.” The other respondents either disagreed with the above statement or were “not sure.” These findings are consistent with a New Year’s prediction made by Michael Schaffer, president of Tornado, about floor care trends. “For both environmental and cost reasons, end-customers are delaying refinishing cycles or not refinishing their floors at all,” he says. However, in the long run, delaying or not refinishing floors...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Enagic Kangen Water as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Enagic Kangen Water makes a machine that produces five different grades of electrolyzed water for drinking, cleaning, sanitizing and food preparation. It has been approved by U.S. regulators and the Water Quality Assn. (WQA) has given it its Gold Seal and ISO Certification. Call Bill Norse at (626) 665-5213 for more information and a DVD, e-mail bnorse713@msn.com, or visit www.checkoutkangen.com.