EAST BERLIN, CONN.—EDRO Corp. announces the availability of the world’s first fully integrated ozone powered soft mount washer-extractor line. The products are ideal for hoteliers interested in reducing water and natural gas consumption. Savings are possible because of the built-in DynOzone—DynaWash® Ozone System feature that allows for laundry to be washed primarily in cold water. The soft mount machines can be installed without the need of a foundation and can be therefore used in upper floor locations. These super high G-force washer-extractors are available in 60-, 110-, 175-, 225-, 350- and 450-pound loading capacities. For 60 years,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes INNCOM International Inc., Niantic, Conn., as a Founding Sponsor. INNCOM develops and markets advanced, software-based guestroom control systems that are designed to reduce energy consumption. Its systems have been installed in more than 350,000 hotel rooms. INNCOM develops and markets a broad range of intelligent devices. These are combined in various ways to provide integrated systems for direct digital control (DDC) energy management, on-line electronic lock control, guest (end-user) interfaces and operating enhancements for housekeeping, security, minibar restocking and other hotel staff groups. INNCOM systems provide highly...

ONTARIO, CALIF.—Met-Tile Inc., an Energy Star partner, has launched a redesigned website that features its metal tile panel “cool roofing” system. The Met-Tile roof system, which combines the popular look of tile with all-weather performance and energy savings, can be viewed at www.met-tile.com. The redesigned website incorporates a new easy-to-use navigation system and expanded product and application information for architects, builders, contractors, and home and building owners. The site includes separate areas for residential and non-residential applications, expanded photo galleries, a rep./distributor locator section, updated project case studies, technical data and more. Suitable for use in all...

CHICAGO—Yes, there was a Green Restaurant Products Pavilion and an Organic & Natural Pavilion but finding other green exhibitors among the more than 2,100 vendors at the National Restaurant Assn. Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show last weekend was more of a challenge. They most definitely were there but one had to look closely to find them. The good news is that those green vendors that were there had some exciting new products to talk about. Here is a list of some of them: EATware International introduced its line of 100 percent biodegradable disposable tableware. Their compostable products are made from corn starches...

OSLO, NORWAY—Significant gains can be made in efforts to combat global warming by reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency in buildings. The right mix of appropriate government regulation, greater use of energy saving technologies and behavioral change can substantially reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the building sector which accounts for 30 to 40 percent of global energy use, says a recent report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Sustainable Building and Construction Initiative (SBCI). The new report, Buildings and Climate Change: Status, Challenges and Opportunities, says many opportunities exist for governments, industry and consumers to...

ATLANTA—With concern for our nation’s environment and conservation of its natural resources on the rise, today’s travelers want a safer, more healthy and sustainable experience while on the road. Now, two hotel chains—America’s Best Inns & Suites and Country Hearth Inns—will feature a green initiative known as EcoRooms with products that are energy efficient, water efficient, waste reducing, and non-toxic and/or biodegradable. The systemwide program was announced by America’s Best Franchising Inc., franchisor of the hotel brands. “EcoRooms are more comfortable for guests and more cost-effective for hotels,” says Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of America’s Best Franchising...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Classic Metal Roofing Systems, Piqua, Ohio, as a Founding Sponsor. Classic Metal Roofing Systems specializes in the production of aluminum, steel, and copper roofing systems that are attractive as well as environmentally friendly. The company’s aluminum roofing has 95 percent recycled content with a life expectancy of over 50 years. The special Kynar 500/Hylar 5000 finishes it uses feature special pigments to reflect radiant heat. The company’s customers have reported energy savings of up to 20 percent and even more due to their buildings being kept...

NATIONAL REPORT—Metal roofing has a long, successful history in the United States and the world. Its proven track record spans all types of projects—commercial, industrial and residential, new construction and remodeling. With today’s heightened interest in and demand for ecologically-sound building materials, metal roofing is an ideal choice. In fact, The Metal Construction Assn. says metal roofing should be included on all lists of environmentally friendly or “green” roofing materials. Metal roofing’s durability can virtually eliminate the need for future raw materials to be used to produce roofing. Other roofing materials are heavily affected by weather extremes. Metal roofing, however,...

ASHLAND CITY, TENN.—A. O. Smith has introduced a new high-efficiency modulating VF boiler. This boiler replaces the A. O. Smith Legend. The VF boiler is a totally new design that provides up to 88 percent thermal efficiency while maintaining low NOx emissions that are better for the environment. The vertical tube design allows for a large heat transfer area, which maximizes efficiency, while maintaining the small footprint ideal for retrofit applications and multiple boiler installations. The VF boiler can be direct vented for up to 70 equivalent feet of intake and exhaust piping, and it can also be...

LAS VEGAS—It was pretty easy to determine what vendors were selling green products at this year’s HD 2007 Expo and Conference. A separate vendor directory was created for them and green, circular markers sat within each participating exhibitor’s booth. A separate Green Room on the show floor also featured environmentally friendly products. Vendors had to pony up additional funds to have a presence there. There is no possible way to mention every company that introduced a green product at this year’s show but here are some noteworthy examples: Simmons Hospitality Group announced its EverNU mattress top to help hotels get the...