W. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA.—All interested parties are invited to join in the development of a proposed new ASTM International standard that will identify and define sustainable best management practices that are used in commercial laundry facilities to reduce their impact on the environment.  ASTM WK35985, Practice for Sustainable Laundry Best Management Practices, is being developed by Subcommittee D13.40 on Sustainability of Textiles under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee D13 on Textiles.According to Gary D. Gramp, Textile Rental Services Association, and chairman of the task group developing ASTM WK35985, the commercial laundry industry has made a commitment to sustainability. “We...

CANCUN—Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences announced the official launch of Ethos during a breakfast at the Tourism Tianguis 2012. Ethos, an innovative $3 million agricultural project, is a farm in the Mayan jungle where produce, plants and honey will be organically grown and produced. These items will be used to supply their six hotels, which include nearly 1,000 hotel rooms in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. “Ethos is an example of our values and great commitment to the community, environment and tourism, making us the first hotel chain in southeastern Mexico to produce organic materials and become more...

VERNON HILLS, ILL.—Scotsman Ice Systems announced it was named in McDonald’s Corporation’s 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply Chain report for its Prodigy line of ice machines. The line reduces up to 50 percent of water consumption, which translates into saving more than 150,000 gallons of water over the typical lifetime of the machine. McDonald’s Best of Sustainable Supply Chain report recognizes companies that implement innovative and effective ways to address challenges to help improve food sources, the environment, communities and employee wellness across the world. “Scotsman was the only ice machine manufacturer awarded this distinction in 2012 by McDonald’s,” said Rich...

NEW YORK—Conrad New York has opened its doors in New York City’s vibrant Battery Park City neighborhood. Rising 16 stories along the Hudson River waterfront, the 463 all-suite luxury hotel is the first New York address from Conrad Hotels & Resorts, the global luxury brand of Hilton Worldwide.With its strong commitment to sustainability, the Conrad New York is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for New Construction from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for sustainable building practices and design.Noteworthy environmentally-friendly considerations at the Conrad include: a green roof and chef’s roof garden, bike racks...

CHICAGO—President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the 42nd President of the United States, will address attendees at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show on May 6. Clinton will share insights into his presidency and his current work with the William J. Clinton Foundation. NRA Show 2012 will be held at its new dates May 5 to 8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.“President Clinton has a unique perspective on our nation and the world,” said Jack Crawford, convention chair for NRA Show 2012 and president and CEO of Ground Round Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC....

TROY, OHIO—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded ITW Food Equipment Group–North America (ITW FEG) a 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. A manufacturer of commercial food equipment, ITW FEG’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, which marks the 20th anniversary of Energy Star. ITW FEG, an Energy Star partner since 2008, will be honored for its long-term leadership and continued efforts in helping to make foodservice and grocery operations more energy efficient, sustainable and profitable. Hobart, Traulsen,...

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—Alto-Shaam, Inc. recently debuted a new website targeted to its customers located in Spanish-speaking regions of the world. The site is a near mirror image of the current site and will strive to become a complete duplication of the English site in the near future as content is updated and created.Just like the English site, the Spanish version boasts a robust catalog of Alto-Shaam foodservice product innovations, information about how to buy these products and all the required specifications and technical documents that are typically required. The site also features interactive features and navigation tools.“Due to the...

CINCINNATI—Cintas Corp., the largest uniform supplier in North America, in conjunction with Washing Systems, LLC (WSI) announced it has begun transitioning company-wide to a new, more environmentally friendly cleaner. Structure, the WSI product being introduced at Cintas facilities throughout the United States, uses components that are free of phosphates and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), which have been found in some instances to alter the oxygen and metallic levels naturally found in the environment. The components of Structure are not only environmentally friendly, but completely biodegradable. Its main ingredient is also naturally based and made from renewable resources. “Cintas is committed...

DENVER—At an exclusive gathering of national park leaders last month, Xanterra Parks & Resorts executive chefs Peter Pahk and Joe Nobile prepared a special menu featuring sustainable cuisine. Well-suited to the tone of the two-day meeting—a response to the National Park Service’s (NPS) Call to Action report focusing on establishing a mission for the NPS 2016 centennial and beyond—the printed menu included a brief history on the subject of tatanka, the Lakota word for bison. The background on bison was especially fitting because one of the main course choices was Braised Bison Short Ribs. The bison was sourced from the...

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—Michael Aguirre has been named vice president of sales and marketing, Foodservice National Accounts at Alto-Shaam. Formerly the Southern Region vice president of sales and marketing, Aguirre’s new responsibilities are focused on Alto-Shaam’s national account development strategies. Aguirre is a Certified Foodservice Professional, CFSP, who focuses his efforts on foodservice equipment solutions and systems for some of the world’s largest operations. He has significant experience working with some of the most influential operators in the foodservice industry. Since graduating from the University of Akron and attending graduate school at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Aguirre has continually...