NATIONAL REPORT—Hotel companies are extending their environmental commitment to what their employees wear and sacrificing absolutely nothing when it comes to good design and durability. Large companies such as Hilton Worldwide and Wyndham Worldwide have made commitments to eco-friendly uniforms. Other companies and individual properties are also choosing “green” when it comes to apparel. At least two companies—Cintas Corp. and Superior Uniform Group—are offering collections that include recycled polyester made from soda bottles or recycled polyester made from post-industrial textile scraps. In some cases, recycled polyester makes up 100 percent of the material used in a product; more often...

DENVER—The launch of the new Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites Brand on the anniversary of Earth Day 2010 underscores this new brand concept’s commitment to environmental awareness and social responsibility. The Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites Brand design has taken a proactive approach to environmentally responsible architecture and intends that each new build will achieve Gold or Platinum LEED certification. The development philosophy is based upon the conviction and reality that sustainable business practices are necessary and provide viable long-term profitability when blended with responsible operational systems, a modern day sales approach, superior guest service and a healthy and...

DALTON, GA.—Zeftron nylon, a premium nylon 6 commercial carpet yarn system, has launched the 2010 Zeftron nylon Sustainable Practices Award. The award recognizes facility, architecture and design professionals who employ and utilize unique sustainable practices in three key areas: at work, at home and in their communities. “Zeftron nylon is proud to recognize the members of our industry who are providing leadership with their environmental practices,” said Tim Blount, Zeftron nylon’s business leader. “With Zeftron’s rich history of producing high performance, environmentally responsible yarn systems, we understand the importance of committing to sustainable practices through work and home....

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte was recently presented with LEED Gold Certification at a press event in Charlotte. The rare achievement, awarded in the New Construction category, was announced to hotel general manager David Rothwell by Rick Fedrizzi, CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council. It represents the first LEED designation attained by a Ritz-Carlton hotel or resort. The 146-room Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte opened in October 2009 with a roster of environmental services and features that have ultimately qualified it for LEED Gold certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a multi-category green building rating system developed...

SAN DIEGO—Barona Resort & Casino announced that it has achieved Gold certification as part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating system. Barona is the first tribal resort in the nation to earn the internationally recognized certification for the design and operation of high performance green buildings. “The Barona Resort & Casino”s LEED for Existing Buildings Gold certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “The most sustainable way to green the built environment is through retrofitting existing buildings. Barona can...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—A new, more sustainable adhesive has been developed for use on carpet tiles that, according to initial reports, is as effective as conventional adhesives and holds up well when cleaned with professional carpet extraction methods. Adhesives are typically used to bind the layers of carpet tiles together. However, some adhesives in use today make the carpet tiles difficult to recycle. Because of this, it is estimated that in Europe more than 154 million pounds of carpet tiles end up in landfills each year. Although the data were not broken down by type, the nonprofit Carpet America Recovery Effort estimates...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) on April 9 during a celebration event at the company’s Parsippany global headquarters. The certification is for the headquarters. One of numerous planned Wyndham Green events throughout Earth Month, the LEED celebration was attended by more than 100 guests and included remarks by Melverne E. Cooke, chief of staff for the office of Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, Parsippany Mayor Jamie Barberio, USGBC vice president, market development, Doug Gatlin and Wyndham Worldwide chairman...

SAN FRANCISCO—The four-diamond W San Francisco made history this week by earning the first LEED certification of an existing building belonging to a major hotel brand. With its Silver LEED certification, W San Francisco becomes only the seventh hotel in the United States to receive the recognition for an existing building. Stringent criteria for an existing building certification measure “operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts,” according to the U.S. Green Building Council, which administers the LEED program. “For our guests, the green experience at W San Francisco...

BETHEDA, MD.—Marriott International headquarters has been awarded the gold medal for green buildings. After a three-year effort to become more sustainable and environmentally-friendly, the 30-year-old building is celebrating its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Existing Building Gold status—an investment that is saving the company $700,000 annually and that will result in up to $1.3 million in expected tax credits over three years. This achievement moves the company closer to the goal announced last fall to expand its green building portfolio to approximately 300 properties in five years, the broadest commitment of its kind in the industry. Today,...

PORTLAND, ORE.—GleenGlass LLC, a manufacturer of recycled glass surfaces, recently completed recycled glass bathroom vanities and reception counters for The Oxford Hotel in Bend, Ore. Inspired by the cosmopolitan mountain town of Bend, The Oxford Hotel was designed and built to incorporate local, environmentally friendly products that reflect the ambience of the Cascade Mountains and Central Oregon region. GleenGlass was selected to create handcrafted recycled glass vanities that would capture the look and feel of a high desert river. “The goal of The Oxford Hotel’s vanity design was to provide a surface that was clear and would have enough...