VENTURA, CALIF.—Planet Minder LLC introduces ShowerMinder, a product invented to help hotels dramatically save water, energy, money and reduce greenhouse gases by lowering hotel guests’ shower time. ShowerMinder, similar to the highly successful towel/linen reuse programs, invites hotel guests to participate in the conservation of valuable natural resources by asking them to be mindful of their showering time. ShowerMinder runs a “Perfect 8 Minute Shower” program, and by using a timed and universally understood green, yellow and red lighting sequence, simply informs guests when the “Perfect 8 Minute Shower” time has elapsed and encourages them to end their shower and...

ATLANTA—IHG, the world’s largest hotel company by number of rooms, is trialing a new online system called “Green Engage,” which will help hotel general managers manage energy consumption more effectively. Early trials have shown potential energy savings of up to 25 percent. If fully adopted by all hotels across the 4,000-strong IHG portfolio, it is estimated that the savings for hotel owners could be as much as $200 million. The system, which was developed by IHG, will be rolled out across IHG’s seven brands including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and InterContinental following final trials in 650 hotels which started in...

SAN DIEGO—Bekaert Specialty Films, LLC announced it has received the status of Climate Action Leader by the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR), the country’s most rigorous voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting program. The company’s carbon footprint, which was defined earlier this year, had to be verified by independent auditors Bureau Veritas before being accepted by CCAR. Bekaert Specialty Films’ carbon footprint is published on CCAR’s website. Bekaert Specialty Films saw the reporting of its worldwide GHG emissions as a clear step forward in its commitment to environmental stewardship. With more and more companies and homeowners installing energy-saving products, consumers are...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has added a new case study to its Vendor Case Studies section. The case study focuses on the Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C., and how Sonitec’s Vortisand filter was able to solve its cooling tower sludge problem. Massive amounts of the nasty stuff were detected in the chiller tubes, and the 12-inch system feeder pipe as well. The filtering apparatus on line proved ineffective at combating the problem, prompting management to seek out expert consultation. Patrick Payne of Boland Trane teamed up with Denny Alexander of Armstrong Filtration (provider of cost-effective filtration solutions based in Winchester, Va.)...

MINNEAPOLIS—Smart Candle, the Minnesota-based manufacturer and distributor of Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology products throughout The Americas, has been selected as a 2008 Small Business Success Story by Twin Cities Business, a leading business publication in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market. The award was presented during a recognition dinner on January 15, 2009, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis. Award recipients were selected from a statewide pool of applicants based on criteria that included the ability to detect and act upon opportunities; perseverance, energy, marketing savvy and managerial skill. “We are proud to have been recognized by Twin Cities Business,...

OGUNQUIT, MAINE—The Meadowmere Resort here on the southern coast of Maine is demonstrating that a small resort can thrive while continuously reducing its environmental impact. The 144-room property, owned by the Cavaretta family, is operated with the belief that ecological and economic sustainability go hand in hand. Open year-round, not always a given in the Pine Tree State, the resort is an active member of Maine’s Green Lodging Certification program. The program, which is run by Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection, first certified the property as an Environmental Leader in 2006. It has since been recertified and has tripled...

ATLANTA—To help drive the building industry toward market-viable net-zero-energy buildings, ASHRAE is hosting a specialty conference on the topic in March in San Francisco. “We have a reached a time when the building industry is being called to shift to a new level of performance that will reduce our energy and carbon footprint,” Bill Harrison, ASHRAE president, said. “It is time to advance net-zero-energy building knowledge.” ASHRAE’s Countdown to a Sustainable Energy Future...Net-Zero and Beyond conference will take place March 29 to 31 at Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. The conference will provide a forum to discuss the...

BOYLSTON, MA.—Owl Power Co., developer and manufacturer of clean energy cogeneration systems, has announced Vegawatt, an innovative new cogeneration system for restaurants and food service facilities. Vegawatt uses waste vegetable oil from any food service operation as a fuel to generate on-site electricity and hot water, saving the restaurant thousands of dollars as well as providing a clean, renewable source of energy. Vegawatt is installed and has been running since early December at Finz Seafood & Grill. “As a restaurant operator I am constantly looking for more efficient methods, and especially for cost-saving measures,” said George Carey, owner of Finz...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal Inc., the first-ever eco logo in the United States, is participating in the Presidential Inauguration by certifying Neenah Paper’s Classic Crest, the paper stock for the Inauguration cards, and providing Green Seal certified accommodations at the Four Points By Sheraton Points in downtown D.C and the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The inaugural invitations were printed on recycled paper called Classic Crest and Green Seal certified the paper product as made with a minimum of 30 percent post consumer fiber and that mill processes, including packaging, are environmentally preferable. “It’s a distinguished cream color,” said Bernie Hennessy,...

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Moyer Diebel, boasting more than half a century of experience in the field, has recently added its newest under counter, the 351HT, to its lineup of quality dish machines. Replacing the current 301HT, this cost-efficient under counter has been updated with many new features and will make its world premiere at the NAFEM 2009 show. Made for small kitchens and bars, the 351HT is an Energy Star qualified machine that significantly reduces water and energy consumption while still delivering sparkling clean wares using a low 0.80 gallons per rack. New features on the 351HT include counter-balanced, double skin door,...