FLORHAM PARK, N.J.—BASF announced the launch of its SELECT (Sustainability, Eco-Labeling and Environmental Certification Tracking) Eco-Label Manager, a database created to strategically manage the abundance of eco-labels, environmental claims, directories and ratings systems by allowing the user to search, analyze and compare these programs in a structured and consistent format. “The demand for environmentally preferable products is rapidly evolving and influencing purchasing decisions along entire supply chains,” said Pat Meyer, senior product steward and program leader at BASF. “These purchasing requirements have spawned hundreds of eco-labels and programs from the federal government, large retailers, trade associations and third-party organizations, leading...

ASHLAND, OHIO—A 160-acre parcel located just southwest of Ashland, Ohio could soon be the home of the United States’ greenest retreat center. Developer Wendy Kertesz says she hopes to break ground this summer on Windy Retreat Center, a 25,000-square-foot, 16-guestroom facility that will include two indoor conference rooms, one outdoor conference space, three classrooms, great room, dining room, commercial kitchen, fitness center and conservatory. The goal is to open the center by late 2012. Constructed in part using straw bales, Windy Retreat Center will pursue at least Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification and Passive House...

FAIRFAX, VA.—Concord Eastridge Inc. announced that The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel has been awarded LEED Gold established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). “As Mason works to achieve ambitious sustainability goals, a LEED Gold certified conference center and hotel makes a strong statement about how serious we are in these efforts,” said Christine LaPaille, vice president for University Relations at the property. “We believe there is significant appeal among businesses and organizations with similar sustainability commitments to bring their meetings and conferences to a green building like...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—To address the challenges of green design in the hospitality industry, RTKL recently completed participation in a year-long working committee facilitated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The committee, formally known as the Hospitality Adaptations Working Group, was charged with developing sustainable design guidelines specifically tailored for lodging, food and beverage, and conferencing facilities. RTKL principal Laura Galbreath AIA, LEED AP, the sole architect to serve on the committee, is optimistic that the new guidelines will encourage more hotel developers and operators to enhance their sustainability goals in accordance with USGBC standards. “While most clients are interested in sustainable...

PLYMOUTH, MINN.—Advance now offers battery and electric burnishers that meet requirements for sustainable cleaning equipment specified by the Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System (LEED-EBOM). Advance burnishers that meet requirements for contributing points to LEED-EBOM certification include the Advance Advolution 20BT battery burnisher and the Advance Advolution 20XP electric burnisher. The Advolution 20BT and Advolution 20XP burnishers are both available with active dust control and operate at sound levels of less than 70 dBA, which are requirements under the LEED-EBOM program. Burnishers with active dust control include a shroud and vacuum system...

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH—Home2 Suites by Hilton, a mid-tier, extended-stay hotel brand targeting budget-conscious business and leisure travelers, announced it will break ground on its sixth U.S. property in West Valley City, Utah. This will be the debut of Hilton Worldwide into the West Valley City market. Scheduled for completion in November  2011, the 79-suite, four-story hotel will be owned by HWV, LLC and managed by Inn Management, Inc. Homes2 Suites executives joined with community leaders, including West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder, at the late January groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the second Utah location for Home2 Suites. “Home2 Suites is...

COLUMBIA, MD.—New Energy Technologies, Inc. announced that researchers have successfully developed a first-generation 12" x 12" working prototype of the company’s SolarWindow technology, capable of generating electricity on see-thru glass. Compared with its 4" x 4" predecessor, unveiled in September 2010, the debut marks a significant achievement for the company as it continues to work towards producing a commercially marketable product. The new prototype marks a 300 percent increase in size over its predecessor, and is the first-ever working SolarWindow of its dimension. Researchers fabricated this prototype using New Energy’s patent-pending process for “spraying” the company’s electricity-generating coatings directly onto glass,...

DALLAS—NYLO Hotels LLC announced plans for a third hotel in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, this one in South Side Dallas, a thriving community just south of downtown. This project marks two “firsts” for the lifestyle hotel brand; it will be NYLO’s first conversion property, and it will be the first NYLO hotel to pursue LEED Silver Certification. The NYLO Dallas South Side will break ground in the first quarter of 2011 and open in the first quarter of 2012. The hotel will be operated by NYLO Hotels and developed by Matthews Southwest. NYLO Dallas South Side will be located three...

SAN DIEGO—From the floors of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in San Diego last week, Advaya Hospitality unveiled a global lifestyle hotel brand before an audience of industry insiders. The brand, MODO Hotel, which will have some green features, will make its debut in major markets around the world, starting with a minimum of five properties in India and another five in Brazil. Advaya also is in the early stages of establishing a fund to acquire strategic assets and build new hotels, targeting major U.S. markets like New York, Kansas City and Miami. MODO presents a new take on hospitality...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Building insulation products from Dow Building Solutions have achieved recertification by the Cradle to Cradle Certification program, a well-known, multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s safety and environmental impact. Originally certified and announced at IBS last year after rigorous analysis,  STYROFOAM Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation and SAFETOUCH Fiberglass-Free Insulation both recertified at the SILVER level, while STYROFOAM SIS Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing, THERMAX Exterior Insulation, and STYROFOAM Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation all achieved BASIC recertification. “We feel that recertification of our building insulation products under a holistic analysis like Cradle to Cradle is a preferred...