CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—For the fourth consecutive year, Bentley Prince Street has been recognized for its progressive efforts to reduce waste and conserve resources with the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) award. Sponsored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the state’s leading authority on recycling and waste reduction, the WRAP awards recognize California companies for the successful implementation of resource-efficient practices and aggressive waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs. “At Bentley Prince Street, just as we have our own Mission Zero goal of eliminating our potential negative impact on the environment by the year 2020, we’re...

TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that it will manage Pittsburgh’s newest hotel to be housed in Three PNC Plaza, a 780,000-square-foot mixed-use “green” building complex now under construction by The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. in the heart of downtown. Fairmont Pittsburgh, expected to open in summer 2009, will be built according to sustainable design and construction guidelines. In addition to the hotel, the complex will include a 326,000-square-foot office building, the first of its kind in 20 years. “We are delighted to place the Fairmont name on this hotel,” says William R. Fatt, Fairmont’s CEO. “The new...

DALLAS—Lodging Hospitality Magazine and Pineapple Hospitality have finalized the agenda for their first Green Hospitality Conference. The event will be held on March 14 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The conference will precede Lodging Hospitality’s annual Hospitality Operations & Technology event. The day-long event will begin with an introduction and welcome from Gary Dietz, publisher of Lodging Hospitality, and Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor of Green Lodging News. From 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Ed Watkins, editor of Lodging Hospitality, will moderate a “Green Hospitality—Past, Present, Future” session that will include the following participants: Wen Chang,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the premiere green building conference in the world, is moving to Chicago for its 2007 show, which will be held on November 7-9, 2007, as previously announced. “Chicago is welcoming us with open arms” says Peter Templeton, Vice President of Education & Research, USGBC. “Chicago is not only one of the greenest cities in the country, Mayor Richard Daley has set a high bar for sustainable leadership and green building is a significant part of his commitment.” Templeton acknowledged that the move from Los Angeles...

LAGRANGE, GA.—All Milliken Floor Covering modular products, including those developed specifically for residential and hospitality markets, have been certified to the new preeminent green carpet standard—Sustainable Carpet Assessment Draft Standard NSF 140. Notably, all products with ESP backing meet the very stringent California Platinum Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) certification. “We are particularly pleased to announce that our full line of commercial and residential modular products have undergone stringent third party review to provide our customers with further assurance of our commitment to sustainable practices,” says Dave Caples, president of Milliken’s Floor Covering Division. The carpet industry worked...

NEW YORK—KnollTextiles introduces the Renew Collection of three environmental upholstery fabrics made of recycled and recyclable polyester, with no added backings or finishes. KnollTextiles has engineered this trio for high durability (between 80K and 100K Wyznbeek double rubs) while keeping it earth-friendly, without adding materials to the face or back of the fabric which can prevent it from being recycled into its component parts. Knoll, as a corporation, takes environmental issues seriously, from a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas, to making sustainability an integral part of its business, and KnollTextiles has long been a leader in environmental textiles....

Name: Wen-I ChangTitle: Founder and PresidentCompany: Atman Hospitality Group, Inc., South San Francisco SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO—Wen-I Chang, founder and president of Atman Hospitality Group, Inc., based here in South San Francisco, is a lodging industry groundbreaker. He is not only talking about building green hotels, he is doing it. In fact, his first environmental property—the 133-room Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa in American Canyon, Calif.—opened in October. Chang also is developing the 133-room Atman Hotel in Anderson, Calif., a 141-room Merced Center Hotel in Merced, Calif., and a property in Mt. Shasta, Calif. Each of Atman Hospitality Group’s properties will...

KENNESAW, GA.—In a significant step to reduce the carpet industry’s environmental footprint, The Mohawk Group introduces Encycle, a patent-pending, PVC-free (polyvinyl chloride) modular carpet backing system. A model of sustainable design, Encycle is the only carpet tile designed with three thermoplastic layers and zero water-based components, enabling complete recyclability back into itself without separation. The innovative new backing system also incorporates 35 percent pre-consumer recycled content by total product weight and utilizes 28 percent less virgin raw materials. “The Mohawk Group’s investment in the development of revolutionary products like Encycle underscores our commitment to sustaining a healthy...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Oasis West Realty, LLC, the owner of The Beverly Hilton, and Hilton Hotels Corp. announced the first new west coast Waldorf=Astoria hotel as part of their $500 million long-term plan to revitalize the nine-acre hotel property at the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards in Beverly Hills. “Bringing two legendary hotel brands together in Beverly Hills will create a new legacy of luxury for The Beverly Hilton property,” says Beny Alagem, chairman of Oasis West and owner of The Beverly Hilton. “Together, The Waldorf=Astoria Beverly Hills and The Beverly Hilton will create a one-of-a-kind hotel property that...

MILL VALLEY, CALIF.—Opening in June 2007 in Napa Valley, Solage Calistoga will prove that pampering guests and sustainability can go hand in hand. The first property from Auberge Resorts’ fresh new luxury brand will reflect a philosophy of eco-consciousness that focuses not only on environmental stewardship, but also personal health and wellbeing. “Solage Calistoga will give us an exciting opportunity to put our environmental beliefs into action,” says Mark Harmon, CEO and managing partner, Auberge Resorts. “We think it’s possible for a resort to operate sustainably without sacrificing style or luxury. We’re confident that our guests and staff...