BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. has risen in the Newsweek Green Rankings to 50 and 82 on the national and global lists respectively. The rankings assess the environmental performance of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States and the world. This year, Whirlpool Corp. was classified as a “top-ranked company,” a designation awarded to fewer than 100 companies on either list. “The people at Whirlpool Corporation continuously strive to protect the planet by being more efficient in how we build innovative products that consume less energy,” said Ron Voglewede, Director of Global Sustainability for Whirlpool Corp. “This distinction is a...

When it comes to implementing energy efficiency measures in hotels, the hospitality sector faces unique challenges such as overcoming the limitations between ownership and management and accessing capital for upgrades, all while complying with brand standards and meeting guest comfort expectations. Three Better Buildings partners, HEI Hotels & Resorts, Loews Hotels & Co., and Las Vegas Sands Corp., are successfully overcoming these barriers and achieving significant energy savings while making progress towards their Better Buildings Challenge commitment of reducing portfolio-wide energy use by 20 percent in a decade. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge (BBC) is part...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added Resort Energy Ventures to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Consultants/Energy” category. Resort Energy Ventures was founded to assist the hospitality industry and other organizations located in high energy cost regions meet their energy needs with responsible, sustainable, and economically viable solutions. The company provides corporate renewable energy deployment strategies, portfolio analysis, and individual project development services for renewable energy, battery, and microgrid systems. Resort Energy Ventures’ approach is to maximize return on investment while meeting sustainability objectives. In resort locations, particularly islands, Resort...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Verdafero as a Green Product & Service Directory partner in two categories: Auditors/Energy and Software/Utility Analytics. Verdafero—Energy Efficiency Consulting is a professional energy efficiency auditing and property benchmarking firm with 10+ years of experience working with hospitality owner/operators to reduce operational costs and increase asset value through energy efficiency. Verdafero provides varying levels of fully documented energy audits/surveys or energy benchmarking services for use during the asset acquisition, operations and disposal process for maximum value. From a low-level energy survey to a detailed building audit the company’s experienced professional engineers can audit a building and...

Commercial Green Solutions Your Easy Button for Energy Efficiency Commercial Green Solutions provides an innovative approach to energy efficiency by functioning as a utility program accelerator. Our goal is to reduce our clients’ operational expenses, minimize carbon footprint and find creative ways to contribute to profitability and sustainability. When it comes to energy efficiency, we are the “Easy Button”. Our solutions include: utility program implementation, PTAC/PTHP services (cleanings and replacements) ASHRAE Level 1 audits, HVAC cleanings/tune-ups, smart thermostats and EMS, full lighting retrofits, water efficiency programs, energy procurement and more. Call (202) 257-1876, or e-mail KennyW@commercialgreensolutions.com for more details. Commercial Green Solutions...

Name: Claire Cutting Title: Director, Sustainability Company: Marriott International, Inc. Years in Position: One Primary Responsibilities: “My whole focus is on integrating Marriott’s and Starwood’s sustainability programs. We are trying to make one and one equal three. For example, we both had housekeeping and seafood programs but putting them together can be a real challenge. We are combining the best of both worlds. Each company had its own set of goals. It is like matching apples to oranges.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Launching Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, Marriott’s new Sustainability and Social Impact Platform. Our goals are huge. It was...

There is no doubt that an increasing number of solar powered hotels are opening across America. For owners of modern hotels, technology and luxury are a high priority, but this doesn’t need to cause damage to the environment. The solar industry is on the cusp of being an affordable energy source, available to the masses. Hotel operators who are looking to combine modern design and comfort, with a sustainable and green approach, should seriously consider installing solar panels. Solar Could Soon Be the Cheapest Option According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the cost of solar is decreasing at a faster rate than...

SPOKANE, WASH.—Ecova, a leading energy and sustainability management company, has been selected by Hyatt Corp. to provide comprehensive energy management services for the company’s new headquarters that opened in August 2017. Hyatt has also renewed its existing contract with Ecova to continue delivering intelligent energy management strategy options/recommendations for hotels within its select service portfolio. Ecova understands that many businesses, particularly those in the hospitality industry with hundreds of sites, are challenged to identify trends for energy, water, waste, and telecommunications expenses. Ecova maintains the largest database of utility data for the hospitality market, which drives robust benchmarking for organizations. In...

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—Mission Linen Supply, a leading provider of linens, uniforms, laundry services and select supplies, received a silver 2017 Best in Biz Award in the Most Environmentally Responsible Company of the Year category. Judged by an objective panel of prominent editors and reporters from some of North America’s most respected media outlets, this year’s Best in Biz Awards drew more than 650 entries across various categories. Mission was recognized for its efforts to put environmental sustainability at the forefront of its daily operations and long-term business initiatives. As early as 1973, Mission installed one of the industry’s first wastewater...

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA—In nature, nothing goes to waste, and nothing is left over in the ecosystem of South Africa’s bush country, which is home to Kruger National Park and numerous game reserves. Thousands of visitors flock there every year to see animals in as-close-as-you-can-get to their natural environment, where even animal bones provide food for some animals and help others keep their teeth healthy. That ecosystem is the inspiration for Bryce Landsman, the owner of the Kambaku Safari Lodge and Kambaku River Sands in the Timbavati Game Reserve, located on the western border of Kruger. His lodges went totally...