CRYSTAL CITY, VA.—Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA-8) and Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County Board Member, joined The JBG Companies and Marriott International, Inc. this past week to officially break ground on two major hotels: the Renaissance Crystal City Potomac Yards and the Residence Inn Crystal City Potomac Yards. The hotels are owned by The JBG Companies and will be managed by Marriott. Both properties are anticipated to be LEED certified “green” buildings when complete—the first hotels of such distinction in Arlington County. Wells Fargo arranged $128.7 million in construction financing for the project. Three other financial institutions participated in...

NATIONAL REPORT—Carpet cushion, also known as underlayment, has been one of the greenest products available to the lodging industry for years. More than 80 percent of carpet cushion sold today is made from bonded polyurethane foam cushion (“bonded” or “rebond”). It comes from a combination of salvaged, scrapped or recycled polyurethane foam generated during the making of furniture, bedding and other products—cushions for car seats, for example. Polyurethane is ground up into small pieces, bonded under pressure with a binder into blocks, and then cut into thin slices of different thicknesses and widths. Used carpet cushion is also recycled...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Raksha Bella Organic introduces its Indian organic cotton duvet covers, quilts, pillow cases and Euro shams, handblocked in classic Indian patterns with low impact dyes. Raksha Bella means “protector of beauty.” “As a designer, I believe it’s my responsibility to create sustainable solutions to the things we consume every day,” said Carrie Peters, founder of Raksha Bella Organic. “With a handcrafted approach to the Raksha Bella line, I want to show the interconnectedness between product and person.” Cotton is one of India’s most important cash crops. Conventional growing methods (which use harsh chemicals and pesticides) harden the land and make...

ATLANTA—CQ Construction and CQ Capital Partners, both parts of the Clarkston, Ga.-based Charania Group of Companies (CGC), are completing construction of a new Cambria Suites property that is located less than one-half mile from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The 143-room hotel, which includes a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and meeting space, is well on its way to earning a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. According to Rahim Charania, president of CGC, the Choice Hotels International franchised property will open in the first quarter of 2009 and is expected to...

ATLANTA – Chicago, with one of the most recognizable skylines in the world, has long-standing status as a livable urban center. That the city has stood the test of time makes it the perfect backdrop for ASHRAE’s 2009 Winter Conference. The theme will be “Sustainable Urban Design: Engineering Tomorrow…Today.” With a focus that resources must be conserved and environments respected even in urban settings, the ASHRAE Conference takes place January 24 to 28 at the Palmer House Hilton. Held in conjunction with the meeting is the ASHRAE co-sponsored AHR Expo, January 26 to 28 at McCormick Place. Meeting highlights include...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Two leading nonprofit organizations—the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Island Press—have teamed up to launch GreenWorks, a book club that will offer the newest and best books on green building at discounted prices. GreenWorks, created expressly for USGBC members, will offer a selection of featured reads each month, while also connecting readers to a vast selection of the latest green building industry books and noteworthy authors. “This book club is about starting a conversation,” said Peter Templeton, senior vice president, U.S. Green Building Council. “USGBC members are full of ideas and solutions. The book club will...

AVON, COLO.—The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Vail Valley’s newest green resort, has opened here in Colorado. The upper-upscale resort offers scenic views of Beaver Creek Mountain, access to the Eagle River and signature Westin services and amenities. The Westin Riverfront is on track to be the first upscale resort in Colorado to achieve coveted LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Unique green programs include guest recycling stations on every floor, preferred parking for hybrid vehicles, an on-site organic garden and the protection of open space through the donation of a five-acre park to the Town of...

LAS VEGAS—NaturesCast, a Filipino-based eco-friendly master furniture and accessories manufacturer with an office and showroom in Las Vegas, has introduced a new Club Furniture Set for the home, office and commercial markets. Like the more than 100 other products in the line, NaturesCast uses an innovative process to create functional and artistic furniture and décor from agro-forest waste such as dry leaves, dead twigs and barks from the forests around Compostela, Province of Cebu, Philippines. The materials are shredded through a special machine and bonded together using odorless water-based binder, then shaped into the unique and functional forms. The Club Furniture...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Luxury bedding manufacturer United Feather & Down showcased bedding to fit travelers’ eco-friendly, balanced lifestyles during the HD Boutique 2008 Expo & Conference. The event was held from September 17 to 18 in Miami Beach. Highlighted was the company’s organic cotton bedding, the Prestige Naturals Collection for Hospitality, which caters to the growing number of environmentally and socially-conscious consumers around the world. “Now, more than ever, consumers are looking for natural products that have environmental as well as health and wellness benefits,” said Stephen Palmer, Co-President of United Feather & Down. “Hoteliers looking for a natural solution for...

MADISON HEIGHTS, MICH.—Décor Group International (DGI), a leading manufacturer of brand imaging delivery systems, has undertaken a total commitment to green technology. Based in Madison Heights, Mich., DGI has pledged to provide its clients with materials that are biodegradable and/or recyclable in an effort to better meet the needs of the growing number of businesses that are migrating towards a greener existence. Dennis Knoblock, owner and president of DGI, issued the following statement: “Making a change to green technology does not in any way translate to a sacrifice in the areas of quality, durability or presentation. The performance of these...