MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced that it will begin to eliminate the use of cages for egg-laying chickens and gestation crates for breeding pigs in its global food supply chain. The announcement was made in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest animal protection organization.  Initially all hotels in the Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton brands will be required to switch all egg usage to cage-free by December 31, 2017, ensuring that chickens are not confined in cages. All...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart’s FT1000 Advansys flight-type dish machine has been awarded the 2015 Kitchen Innovations Award, which recognizes foodservice equipment and technologies that improve kitchen operations and benefit restaurant operators. The FT1000 is going to be on display in booth 4031, as well as the Kitchen Innovations Pavilion, at the 2015 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, May 16 to 19.“In today’s market, with energy, water and labor costs on the rise, we know that our customers want and need a reliable dish machine that saves them time, energy and money,” said Megan Dyer, Product Line Manager for Hobart Warewash....

CHICAGO—Master-Bilt, manufacturer and supplier of a full line of premier commercial refrigeration, will introduce new glass and solid door shallow depth back bar refrigerators to its line of Fusion bar equipment at the NRA Show, May 16 to 19, at McCormick Place in Chicago, booth #4241.The new 26-inch deep back bars are ideal for narrow or tight spaces, and are available in 48, 60 and 72-inch lengths and, at 35-3/8 inches in height, can stack up to three tall boy beer bottles vertically. Two epoxy-coated shelves adjust on one-inch increments for maximum space usage. Door locks, an adjustable temperature...

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y.—BioHitech America, a green technology company that provides an innovative data-driven solution for food waste removal, along with their U.K. distributer GreenComm Environmental Ltd. and their Israel distributor Ramona Municipal Services announced two new customers overseas: Athenaeum Hotel, a small family-owned five star hotel in Mayfair London that was recognized as one of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2014 and Nir Etzion Hotel & Catering Hall in Israel, one of the leading hotels in Israel with a large conference center for groups of up to 350.“We are thrilled to be working...

SHELTON, CONN.—SAVOR…Chicago, the food service provider for McCormick Place, has become the first food service provider in Chicago to be certified to an international sustainability standard. SAVOR…Chicago achieved Level One certification to the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Food and Beverage for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences. The Food and Beverage standard is one of nine standards developed by the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry to provide event planners and suppliers with specifications for producing events in a more sustainable manner.Shaun Beard, SAVOR… Senior Vice President, commented, “We are excited to...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced a new partner program in North America aimed at commercial laundry suppliers that will resell and service Xeros’ award-winning polymer bead cleaning systems. Xeros is offering resellers attractive margins as well the ability to build a monthly recurring revenue stream from services and sales of the Sbeadycare all-inclusive laundry management program to hotels, commercial and industrial laundries, dry cleaners, fitness clubs and spas. Resellers can learn more about the Xeros Partner Program at The Clean Show 2015, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, on April 16 to...

MIAMI—The JW Marriott Marquis Miami continues its commitment to sustainability by investing in Power Knot’s Liquid Food Composter (LFC). The Liquid Food Composter digests food waste in a clean, sanitary and odorless manner. As a result, it reduces the hotel’s carbon footprint by eliminating the amount of waste sent to landfills and decreases the amount of methane gases released into the environment. It digests all food within 24 hours and then converts it into nutrient-rich grey water that can be released down the drain or used for landscape maintenance. “Green initiatives benefit both the environment and our business,” said...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing the options for refrigerants used in various kinds of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment in the United States that offer better climate protection without harming the ozone layer. This final action addresses refrigerants under the Climate Action Plan that calls on EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program to identify and approve additional climate-friendly chemicals. “Today’s rule is an example of how we can turn the challenge of climate change into an opportunity to innovate our way to a better future,” said EPA Administrator...

OAK BROOK, ILL.—Nine months after taking over as General Manager of the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center, Stefan Mühle is just part of the way toward reaching his goal of transforming the property into a uniquely green destination with a “boutique heart and soul.” Mühle, who co-founded the Sustainability Committee for the Hotel Council of San Francisco, knows a thing or two about greening a boutique hotel. During his time as General Manager, the 104-room Orchard Hotel in San Francisco earned Green Seal and LEED certification. Transforming the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center...

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI—The new Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel has checked in its first guests. Among the 200 new Haitian hotel workers who welcomed them were young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Haitian-Americans who want to share their hospitality skills to help boost Haiti’s tourism economy. The stories of these new associates include Luccardo, who was recruited to work at the hotel’s front desk from the Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs orphanage, and Hermine, who was part of the hotel’s intern program and will be an entry-level supervisor. In addition to members of a Haitian-American executive team, the Haiti Marriott is led...