LAGRANGE, GA.—Interface, a designer and producer of modular carpet tile, is finalizing a strategic partnership with The Carpet Recyclers, a La Mirada, Calif.-based business that, since its establishment two years ago, has diverted more than 150 million pounds of used carpet from West Coast landfills, saved more than 15 million gallons of oil and created more than 100 green jobs. In sealing the relationship, Interface is following through on an aggressive expansion of its own carpet recycling system, ReEntry, to encompass carpet recycling specialists in regional hubs throughout North America. “In a nutshell,” explained John Wells, Interface Americas president, “Interface’s...

LAS VEGAS—NEWH Inc.—the Hospitality Industry Network is partnering with the 2012 Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference (HD Expo) to bring a series of green programming to the annual tradeshow at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 15 to 17.The premier event is the Green Voice Luncheon: The Sustainable Design Competition Awards and Green Panel Discussion with the Experts, which will take place on Tuesday, May 15, from noon until 1:30 pm. Panelists include Herve Houdre, general manager, Intercontinental Barclay, New York, a noted author and speaker on sustainable lodging practices; Kathryn Fernholz, executive director, Dovetail Partners,...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics has introduced its first faux leather collection protected by Nano-Tex technology. Executives from Valley Forge and Applied Textiles recently met in Southern China to tour the newly opened state-of-the-art facility dedicated to performance enhancement. The factory was built specifically to better support the growing demand for Nano-Tex.Nano-Tex technology has usually been applied to woven fabrics, increasing their stain repellency characteristics. Now, as a result of the partnership between Valley Forge and Applied Textiles, nanotechnology-based textile enhancements are available on faux leathers in the hospitality interiors market. Valley Forge is the first company that has...

STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced plans to open Element Harrison in summer of 2014, five miles from Newark Liberty International Airport. Owned and developed by Harrison Hotel 1, an entity of Ironstate Holdings, LLC, a Hoboken, N.J.-based developer, and managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Element Harrison will join Element Ewing Princeton as the brand’s second hotel in New Jersey. The new Element will have 138 guestrooms and suites built green from the ground up.Element Harrison will be walking distance to a variety of shops and restaurants and within proximity to Newark’s business district. Less than...

NEW YORK—As Hilton New York plays host during Earth Week to sustainability experts and advocates from across the corporate world for the Sustainable Operations Summit being held from April 17 to 19, Manhattan’s largest hotel announces the completion of a new green roof system and the installation of a cogeneration (combined heat and power) system, both designed to reduce the hotel’s overall carbon footprint. To help promote awareness of the hotel’s sustainability efforts, all guests staying at Hilton New York will be provided with room keycards that depict an image of the new green roof.“Hilton New York is dedicated...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 2012 International Green Construction Code (IGCC), released in late March, will increase the energy-efficiency of structures, while providing governments direction and oversight of green design and construction, according to the International Code Council (ICC)—the code’s author—and one of several U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) partners in the effort. USGBC, makers of the LEED green building certification system and co-authors of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1, applauds this new model code that serves as an important new policy option for state and local governments looking to codify green building practice.“The IGCC and Standard 189.1 draw from more than a decade...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of  “American Classics,” a new line of reclaimed red oak, white oak and rustic oak solid-plank hardwood flooring, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. Like Viridian’s other flooring lines, the oak is derived from industrial shipping crates. These domestic hardwoods are reclaimed from the southeastern United States and are milled in Portland, Ore.“This red and white oak provides a uniquely sustainable option for classic North American species, with a hint of character to let you know its reclaimed,” Mitchoff said. “And the rustic option provides a vintage look with saw marks, nail...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Shore Hotel announced it has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is USGBC’s rating system for designing, constructing and maintaining the world’s greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings and the Shore Hotel, designed by Gensler, is the first property in Santa Monica to receive this distinction.“Shore Hotel is honored to receive LEED Gold certification,” says Steve Farzam, COO of Shore Hotel. “We support ongoing efforts to be responsible and sustainable in every area of our business and through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment and dedication to...

PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.—The Presidio Trust has completed the renovation of the first overnight accommodations in the Presidio of San Francisco—Inn at The Presidio—the only hotel to open in San Francisco in 2012. Inn at The Presidio, a member of Historic Hotels of America, occupies Pershing Hall, which was built in 1903 as bachelor officers’ quarters. The Inn, which is vying for LEED Gold, will be the Trust’s seventeenth project designed to LEED standards. The Trust engaged Architectural Resources Group, Inc. and BraytonHughes Design Studios for the project. Through their combined efforts (along with Waterford Hotels and Inns...

ARLINGTON, VA.—The Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel announced that it has been awarded a Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It has been verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The property is owned by The JBG Companies of Chevy Chase, Md. and managed by Marriott International, Inc.Renaissance Arlington Capital View opened in March 2011.  Since its inception, the property has always been designed to be LEED certified. The hotel’s LEED Gold certification is shared with the adjoining property, Residence Inn Arlington Capital View.“On our one year anniversary...