ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) announced the launch of www.bedbugtoolkit.com, a free online resource to help hotel owners and operators stop bed bugs before they spread. The toolkit features downloadable information and materials on how to train staff to detect bed bugs early, as well as actions to take when they suspect a guestroom is infested. The toolkit debuted at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York City. “In the last decade, bed bugs have rebounded because of increased international travel, pesticide resistance and a lack of awareness—but hoteliers can...

MIAMI—Environmental Services and Products LLC (ES&P) has launched a national campaign to bring its Grout Armor treatment to North America to restore and protect floor and wall grout for the hotel, restaurant, retail, health care, corporate and institutional industries. ES&P’s Grout Armor process is provided by a network of service providers. Rick Greenlaw of ES&P reports that grout treatments have traditionally required toxic, harsh chemicals that leave the manufacturer’s original surface damaged and porous. Grout Armor uses no dangerous materials and restores the grout to its original condition. “If people knew how much bacteria and very nasty things were in that...

MIAMI—Premier Hospitality Management, a Durant, Okla.-based owner and operator of 17 hotels in the central United States, has partnered with MTech to implement its PMWorks preventive maintenance solution across all its properties. MTech is a developer of Software as a Service (SaaS) products aimed at improving service and efficiency for the hospitality industry. With PMWorks now in place, Premier Hospitality Management has made an investment in the future by better maintaining and extending the effective life of each physical asset and the furnishings, fixtures and equipment within. “When I joined Premier almost a year ago, I immediately began looking for...

PLYMOUTH, MINN.—Advance now offers ergonomically designed floor-cleaning equipment that can help contribute points to LEED-EBOM certification. Advance’s Advenger rider-scrubber with EcoFlex System and the ProTerra rider-sweeper meet requirements for sustainable cleaning equipment specified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System (LEED-EBOM). The Advenger and Proterra offer ergonomic design features that minimize physical stress on the user and maximize operator safety, both of which are requirements under the LEED-EBOM program. The use of ergonomic cleaning equipment is a prerequisite to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Credit 3.4: Green Cleaning—Sustainable Cleaning Equipment of the LEED-EBOM...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ruling on mercury labeling will require all compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) manufacturers to provide information on proper handling and cleanup when a CFL breaks. CFLs have gained in market share in recent years because of their energy efficiency. Amy Galland, research director of As You Sow, said, “Consumers have learned that CFLs use less electricity than incandescent bulbs, which is good for the environment. But as more CFLs entered the market we have been concerned that consumers do not fully appreciate the potential dangers if a CFL is broken. There is mercury...

LYNBROOK, N.Y.—The bedbug epidemic currently keeping Americans awake at night is the stuff of nightmares for hospitality managers. That is why Bargoose Home Textiles has introduced The Bedbug Solution protective bedding. The Bedbug Solution covers for box springs and mattresses feature Bargoose’s patent-pending Zip-N-Stick zipper tape that locks bedbugs out. Housekeeping knows the seal is engaged when the tape is fastened securely over the zipper pull—an important visual safety check. Lab-certified for effectiveness and washability, the rust-proof Zip-N-Stick barrier protects a property’s investment in expensive sleep furnishings while delivering peace of mind to its overnight guests. The Bedbug Solution bedding for...

NEW YORK—A new concept in bedbug detection from AP&G’s Catchmaster line now offers hotel, hospitality and residence-based industries an innovative, “passive” detection system designed specifically to monitor for bedbugs on a large scale as part of a proactive inspection/intervention strategy. Called BDS (Bedbug Detection System), the product overcomes the problems of standard insect glue traps by utilizing a patented adhesive dot matrix technology and physical design to capture specimens. “The growing scourge of bedbugs is a ticking time bomb,” said Jonathan Frisch, AP&G’s vice president, sales and marketing. “According to the National Pest Management Association, 95 percent of pest management...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Brush & Clean, a manufacturer of dry carpet and flooring cleaning systems, chemicals and accessories for leading environmental service companies worldwide, announced it has now expanded into North America, with the opening of its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and distribution facility in Pennsylvania. A renowned company in European, South American and Asian markets, Brush and Clean has been in business for more than 20 years and today operates in more than 35 countries. Brush and Clean’s secret dry carpet cleaning formula, “Brush & Clean Dry Carpet Cleaning,” includes safe and effective nontoxic cleaning agents and is 98...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—The Ashkin Group, which has long been a leading advocate for green cleaning and sustainable practices in the professional cleaning industry, announces the launch of their new company website. The site, www.AshkinGroup.com, was built under the direction of Elizabeth Crosbie, marketing director for The Ashkin Group. According to Stephen Ashkin, the Ashkin Group’s president, the new site is a reflection of the industry’s evolution from green cleaning to an increased emphasis on sustainability.  “As we did with green cleaning, we are increasing our emphasis on sustainability so we can play a leadership role in this evolution as well,” said Ashkin. According...

NATIONAL REPORT—“Green” is everywhere we look in today’s marketplace—“green building,” “green cleaning,” “green energy,” “green cars,” and yes, “green pest management.” But what’s in a name? Isn’t “green” pest management just another name for IPM (integrated pest management)? IPM has been around for a long time. The stated goal of IPM has always been to reduce the impact of pesticides on people and the environment. Isn’t that “green” pest management? Or, is “green” truly different than the way we have practiced pest management in the past, even IPM? Confused? When I was first designated the “Green Guy” at Terminix International...