NEW YORK—The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show may have seen its greenest collection of products in its history, as this year’s collection of exhibitors featured everything from towels with organic cotton and bamboo blends to touch-activated faucet systems that allow one to choose hot, warm or cold water with the touch of a button. Environmental concern was evident in exhibitor booth marketing as well, as vendors used green themes to catch attendees’ attention. The following are just some of the product announcement highlights from the show this past week.
HD Supply rolled out its ideallygreen campaign, which emphasizes the environmental benefits of its many products. Operational areas focused on include energy management, water conservation, indoor air quality, and waste reduction. HD Supply sells products ranging from T8 fluorescent light bulbs to luxury bamboo and cotton bath linens.
Representatives of Cadmus Whitehall Group were on hand to introduce the company’s Green-Key keycards. They are an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional plastic hotel keycard. Unlike plastic keycards, Green-Key cards are recyclable, biodegradable and produced from paperboard, a renewable resource. By allowing guests to recycle Green-Key cards at the conclusion of their stay, hotel properties may provide a more sanitary and secure alternative to passing the plastic cards through multiple guests.
American Water Designs introduced its Auto Touch Faucet System. The water-saving system is designed for hotel bathrooms, public restrooms, and hotel kitchens. The touch-activated system provides three dispensing options: hot, warm and cold water.
Dispenser Amenities Inc. unveiled two new guestroom bath dispenser lines and announced that it has developed a waste calculator to let any hotelier know the volume and cost of what they are throwing away from their bath amenity program. Warren Hodgson, international sales manager for the company, says it is estimated that bar soap and shampoo bottles are discarded after only 15 percent of their contents are used.
Roomservice Amenities featured its green Natura line of amenities and soaps. Vegetable-based soap bars have holes in the middle to prevent waste and bottles are made from a natural resin composed of modified cornstarch and biodegradable materials. The bottles will fully biodegrade.
The Pacific Coast Feather Company introduced pillows that include fillings composed of Ingeo fibers. These fibers are derived from corn and are compostable. Ingeo, according to Pacific Coast, provides excellent wicking capability, does not support bacterial growth and has excellent stain resistance. Most synthetic bedding products are created with polyester, which is derived from petroleum.
AmericanDG Energy was on hand to explain its On-Site Utility service that offers low cost electricity, heat, hot water and cooling. The company sells the energy produced from the on-site energy equipment that it installs. The rate for that energy is guaranteed to be lower than that of local utilities. AmericanDG Energy installs, owns and maintains the equipment it installs.
Earth Alive Resources offered its RapidAll all-in-one janitorial and sanitation cleaner that does not harm humans, animals or the environment. It includes a natural nutrient substrate that acts as a microbial carrier. It also contains a strong natural surfactant. RapidAll includes microbes that eat away at materials that cause discoloration and odors.
Swisssol-USA introduced its Press + Wash dispensing system for soap, body lotion, and shampoo/body wash. The dispensers are available in different designs and help to reduce waste volume by eliminating amenity bottles. The bulk containers that the company’s products come in are 100 percent biodegradable PET bottles.
Earth Friendly Distilling Co. provided samples of its Eco Luxury Vodka. Bottles consist of 85 percent recycled glass and labels are made with 100 percent post-consumer waste paper.
Dorothy Prentice Aromatherapy featured its Pure Organics line of lotions, soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Natural ingredients include herbs, flowers and citrus fruits. The company’s products are created from USDA-certified organic essential oils.
American Atelier, Inc. introduced Lyptus, a wood option for its sustainable furniture. Lyptus is from eucalyptus trees certified by Cerflor, Brazil’s national standard for forestry management. Eucalyptus trees grow very quickly and may be harvested within 14 to 16 years of planting.
New York-based optionsforlife featured its Green Seal certified line of commercial cleaning products. The products include no petroleum distillates, no heavy metals, and no ammonia or chlorine bleach. The company supports business development in low income communities.
Solaris Paper offered its premium line of paper products that are made from 100 percent sustainable virgin fiber. The fiber comes from natural organic sources, which means that no de-inking, brightener, Thinopal, or OBA (Optical Brightness Agent) is needed.
A representative of T2 Site Amenities was at the show to introduce his company’s line of recycling containers. The containers are available in fiberglass, stainless steel, aluminum and other materials.
Wastepack Systems Inc. featured its Model 1600 compactor that includes a motion sensor that triggers the door to open. It can compact up to 50 pounds of waste. The model includes a easy-to-clean dolly for easy trips to the dumpster.
Unique Amenities displayed its vegetarian-based personal care products that are manufactured in New Zealand. Five upscale collections were introduced: De Cheri Natural Collection, Sorbet.Body Collection, Bathe Collection, Pohutukawa Collection, and Pacific’s Frangipani Collection.
