MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced its rollout plan to the hospitality industry is on track and the majority of Xeros ecologically-sustainable laundry systems have been sold into the top five hotel groups in North America. According to MKG Group’s annual rankings reported by Skift, HOTELS’ 325 2013 report named IHG, Hilton Hotels, Marriott International, Wyndham Hotel Group and Choice International as the top five hotel groups in the world.In the United States, hotels use approximately 2.3 billion gallons of water per month to launder linens. The Xeros Laundry System can reduce water usage...

Advanced controls. Remote monitoring. Automatic warning e-mails and maintenance reminders. Innovations including spray rinse and over-dry prevention. Welcome to the future of on-premises laundries (OPLs) in the digital age. The advancements in technology, and the way in which on-premises laundry facilities operate, have changed significantly during the last 20 years, even the past year. With these technology innovations and advancements, the laundry industry has responded to a more sophisticated OPL and tech-savvy laundry manager. In return, managers are experiencing reduced costs, increased efficiencies and throughput and extended linen life. Advanced Controls Today’s OPL manager is looking for unprecedented control of his or...

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Association has issued “Bright Ideas,” its first-ever sustainability newsletter, which offers tips and tools to restaurant and foodservice operators on eco-friendly practices that save money, resources and help protect the environment. The newsletter, produced by Conserve, the NRA’s sustainability initiative, features a variety of videos, best practices, case studies and personal accounts of chain and independent operators who have achieved success by practicing sustainability at their businesses. “We are pleased to offer this newsletter that we think will go a long way toward helping operators embrace the prospect of sustainability and better understand the financial and environmental impacts...

WARRENTON, VA.—Airlie, known for its distraction free meeting environment, abundant gardens and sustainable practices, has just been designated as the first lodging destination to receive the Certified Healthy Destination by the Institute for Healthy Destination Accreditation (IHDA). The IHDA PIECES Certification serves as a discernment tool for meeting professionals, business travelers and general consumers who regard health as a significant indicator of value when selecting destinations for leisure or business travel.After undergoing a rigorous and comprehensive health-value assessment, Airlie was awarded the Silver Healthy Destination Certification. “Airlie has a rich tradition in health and wellness as well as exceptional...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a UniMac case study to its website. The case study focuses on the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Fla. and its use of UniMac on-premises washer-extractors and tumble dryers. The hotel upgraded its laundry equipment in 2011 with the assistance of equipment consultant Jason Downey of Southeastern Laundry Equipment. Following an extensive evaluation of the Vinoy laundry facility, Downey and Southeastern developed a plan recommending the right size low-maintenance UniMac equipment to best fit the department’s needs.“Every laundry is different;...

RENO, NEV.—The capital costs and the environmental impact of operating a large resort hotel almost always coincide. Heating, laundry, lighting, landscaping—they all have an impact on both a resort’s bottom line and the natural environment. Hotels have the opportunity to save money and save the environment at the same time, but launching conservation projects that significantly reduce a hotel’s environmental footprint and operating budget takes strategy, some innovative thinking and a commitment to capitalize conservation efforts. Here are five ways The Peppermill Resort, Spa, Casino saves millions of dollars each year while conserving water and energy and reducing the resort’s overall...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association has asked the governors in five Gulf States to support their local restaurants in a quest to maintain uncompromised, year-round access to seafood fished in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In a letter sent to Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Rick Scott of Florida, Robert Bentley of Alabama, Phil Bryant of Mississippi and Rick Perry of Texas, the NRA asked the Governors to “stand with us and support the commercial fishing sector that supplies restaurants in your state and throughout the country.” “In recent months, the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Council has proposed changing...

LOS ANGELES—Dometic Lodging, a division of Dometic Group, a global provider of leisure products for the lodging, marine, truck, caravan, motor home and automotive markets, announced the products it will be exhibiting at the 2014 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), to be held June 23 to 26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.The company will show its HiPromatic miniBar with automatic consumption monitoring, its DMS wireless handheld system for recording refreshment center usage, the GrapevinePro wireless door alert system for guestroom fridges, and the i-Calmaire Thermostat with digital sensing technology. “All of these products use innovative technology to...

ATLANTA—Farm Star Living, the new lifestyle brand that celebrates American farming and farmers, has launched an app that provides easy, quick access to hundreds of Farm-to-Table restaurants in major cities throughout the United States as well as hundreds of farms open to the public for activities and fun. The app complements the Farm Star Living website, which satisfies Americans eager to know who’s behind their food, where it’s grown, and how to support local farmers and farm-fresh food.Offering a comprehensive Farm-to-Table section, the app is perfect for those seeking a great meal at a quality restaurant supporting local communities...

TORONTO—With research indicating solitary bee populations continue to show signs of decline, and loss and fragmentation of habitat cited as a leading factor, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is stepping up to provide solitary bees with a place to rest their wings with the introduction of its first pollinator bee hotel at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York.“Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is extremely excited about the addition of our new pollinator bee hotel and we look forward to providing these pint-sized ‘guests’ with the five-star treatment they so deserve for keeping our ecosystems resilient,” said Alexandra Blum, Vice President, Public Relations, FRHI...