DOVER, DEL.—Three grants have been awarded to the Delaware hospitality industry for projects that will prevent pollution by conserving energy and water resources, recycling and other sustainable practices. The grant funds, which total $13,290, were provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Delaware Pollution Prevention Program grant. According to Crystal Nagyiski, manager of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Pollution Prevention Program, the proposals were accepted based on the project’s plans to implement sustainable practices that reduce pollution and conserve energy and natural resources. The grants include: • $4950 to the Delaware Hotel and Lodging...

SEATTLE—The Hyatt at Olive 8 has opened its doors in the heart of Seattle’s thriving entertainment and dining district. Located at the corner of Olive and 8th, the new hotel—on track to be Seattle’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified hotel—is a striking addition to the city’s skyline and adds a new, more eco-friendly experience to the Pacific Northwest hospitality market. One of the first in a new generation of environmentally conscious hotels across the country, Hyatt at Olive 8 offers its guests a uxurious “green” stay, from energy-efficient rooms to the locally sourced food and...

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND—With climate change a growing concern and the economic crisis affecting their bottom line, European hoteliers are about to take part in a United Nations backed program designed to reduce energy consumption and generate significant savings in operating costs. The specific goal is to achieve a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency and a 10 percent increase in the use of renewable energy technologies. The Energy Efficiency Excellence for the Tourism Industry (EEETI) project aims to research and develop future energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for hotels in the 27 member countries of the European Union. According to...

PEACHTREE CITY, GA.—Rinnai Corp., the world’s largest gas appliance manufacturer and leading tankless water heater manufacturer, announced that six models from its line of tankless water heaters have earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s exclusive Energy Star rating for energy efficiency, including its flagship models, the R94LS and R75LS. Rinnai’s Energy Star qualified products highlight the company’s ongoing commitment to the development and adoption of new energy-efficient technologies, which provide its customers with choices that are both economically and environmentally responsible. “Water heating presently accounts for 15.5 percent of national residential energy consumption, making it the...

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...