WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently released its ranking of the Top 10 States for LEED, the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system. The list highlights the regions around the country that are at the forefront of sustainable building design and transformation. Utilizing less energy, LEED-certified spaces save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.“The list of the Top 10 States for LEED is a continuing indicator of the widespread recognition of our national imperative to create healthier,...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—After the completion of a $25 million dollar restoration endeavor, the historic Courtyard Cadillac Miami Beach Oceanfront announces the opening of its new LEED certified 93-guestroom oceanfront tower. The Cadillac now offers a total of 356 guestrooms, including 19 oversized suites with ocean views, a new oceanfront salt-water pool, a state of the art gym, an updated lobby and indoor/outdoor meeting space, the renovated Carrabba’s Surfside Tiki Bar and new poolside cabanas. “The addition of the oceanfront tower along with our private beach and lengthy list of new amenities has transformed our hotel into a place that visitors...

NORTH YORK, ONT.—Terra Legno introduces Meet Mystique, a product featuring a distinctive grain of European White Oak in a unique, rich shade. Offering the beauty of wood, with unique durability, Mystique is ideal for residential or commercial spaces. This deep brown hardwood adds a sophisticated and modern twist to any space, while promising an environmentally friendly flooring option.Mystique is available in five trims, has a urethane and aluminium oxide finish and ranks a 1360 in the Janka Hardness Scale. This product has a thickness of 9/16” and a width of 5”, a micro bevel edge style, and can be...

NATIONAL REPORT—A series of six webinars with topics ranging from water efficiency to green cleaning to window film will launch on March 26 and wrap up on May 21. In total, there will be 18 different presentations throughout the six webinars that are sponsored by the U.S. EPA. The free webinars are being organized by Dan Ruben of Boston Green Tourism and Peter Cooke of the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. Those who attend all six sessions will be acknowledged with a Certificate of Completion.The following is the schedule for the webinars:Session 1: March 26, 1 p.m to  2:15...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that its Element brand is gaining momentum in Florida with plans for a second hotel in the Miami metropolitan area. A groundbreaking ceremony for Element Miami Doral took place on March 11 with Doral Mayor Luigi Boria and other local officials in attendance, as well as several Starwood executives. The new Element is expected to open in July of 2015 as part of a dual-hotel development, joining Aloft Miami Doral which opened in March 2013. Owned by Eurocon, LLC, Element Miami Doral will offer 139 stylish, sustainable rooms.“We are delighted to...

NEW DELHI, INDIA—ITC Hotels Luxury Collection will add an 11th property with the opening of ITC Green Bharat in July. The property is taking shape on the outskirts of New Delhi in the northern region, amid the Aravalli hills.Pioneers of “Responsible Luxury,” ITC Hotels’ super-premium Luxury Collection has blazed new trails in sustainable hospitality as the first and only chain with all properties accorded LEED Platinum certification. The ITC Green Bharat is being built to meet these same rigorous standards, and will provide guests an idyllic getaway that also contributes to a planet-positive ethos.“We are proud of the high...

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA—Do you think you could ever get to the point of being able to describe your hotel as the greenest on your continent? If you followed the lead of the innovators behind Hotel Verde in Cape Town, South Africa, you might be able to. The hotel was built with sustainability in mind from the ground up. It’s literally in the walls since the construction includes Cobiax void formers—recycled plastic balls placed strategically within the concrete slabs that are required for the various floors. They dramatically reduce the amount of concrete required, while maintaining the structural integrity.Andre...

DALTON, GA.—On Friday, February 28, Tandus Centiva held its fifth annual Community Service Day. More than 200 Tandus Centiva employees from the United States and Canada volunteered with organizations including the Boys & Girls Club of Chatsworth, the Women’s Enrichment Center, the Go Murray Art Center and Coffee Shop, Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes and Eastside Elementary School.Employees performed facility improvement tasks that included painting, installing floor coverings, assembling playground equipment, and the installation of light fixtures, counters and shelving systems.Tandus Centiva Community Service Day began in 2009 as part of the organization’s annual sales meeting. Rather than spend the...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Pavilion Furniture as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Pavilion Furniture’s new Ecowood line is made from recycled materials. The slats are a high-density polyethylene, UV-inhibited and resistant to weather types. The frames are powder-coated aluminum. Pavilion Furniture is manufactured in Miami. The Ecowood line features a broad selection of styles and designs including dining sets, chaises, benches, bar stools and table. For more information, visit the Pavilion website at www.pavilion-furniture.com or contact Perry Solomon at perry@pavilionfurniture.com. You may also call (305) 823-3480.

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Peerless, a leading designer and manufacturer of architectural luminaires and one of the innovative lighting companies under the Acuity Brands umbrella, announces the release of Vellum linear suspended LED luminaires. The product is well suited for use in commercial offices, retail spaces, academic institutions, as well as hospitality and healthcare settings.With a discreet, low-profile form and edge-lit lens, Vellum luminaires deliver on the promise of LED lighting by combining simple, yet sophisticated design with energy-saving efficiency. Vellum luminaires provide flicker-free, glare-free and worry-free illumination from a Peerless 360° total system solution that integrates lighting, controls and technologies all...