MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros Ltd., the U.K. company responsible for the development of “virtually waterless” laundry cleaning, has set its sights on the North American commercial laundry industry, starting in New England. On August 20, 2012 the Xeros system was installed at Manchester, New Hampshire’s Sterling Linen Services, a high-quality linen processing and rental service for area hotels, hospitals and restaurants. Best known for its environmentally-friendly polymer bead cleaning system, Xeros’ technology uses a fraction of the water, energy and detergent required for conventional cleaning methods, and provides significant cost-saving and environmental benefits. These benefits include using up to 90 percent less...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the US Composting Council (USCC) announced a partnership to raise awareness about food waste diversion, composting education, and other sustainable activities for the benefit of restaurant operators of all sizes nationwide.  The NRA and USCC will share educational resources and identify collaborative opportunities that promote awareness of the role composting plays in waste reduction and improved soil and water quality.“We are pleased to join with the US Composting Council to better serve our members by providing resources on composting, waste reduction, and other sustainability efforts they can adopt to strengthen their businesses,”...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—The InterContinental Hotel Cleveland is the first hotel in Northeast Ohio to install an on-site bee apiary, with the purpose of generating natural honey for use in the Table 45 restaurant and furthering the hotel’s sustainability initiatives. An estimated 35 pounds of pure honey will be harvested annually from the beehive. The honey can also be bottled, labeled and used as guest amenities, and possibly sold in the hotel gift shop.The apiary installation follows the recent recognition of Table 45 as a two-star Certified Green Restaurant from the Green Restaurant Association. Table 45 and the other InterContinental Cleveland...

RIPON, WIS.—IPSO, a provider of commercial laundry equipment, announced that it has upgraded its on-premises tumble dryers with advanced technologies to help increase throughput. IPSO’s single pocket axial tumblers in 25-, 30-, 35- and 55-pound capacities have been improved to include reverse drying capabilities, and its stack tumble dryers are now available with Over-dry Prevention Technology (OPT). “We’re committed to providing our on-premises customers with the latest technologies,” said Dave Phillips, North American sales manager for IPSO. “The upgrades to our tumblers will save laundry managers time and money. These machines are reliable and durable, and provide the results demanded...

RIPON, WIS.—Huebsch, a provider of commercial laundry equipment, announced that its on-premises tumble dryers have received upgrades that improve the equipment’s efficiency. Enhanced features on the 25- and 55-pound tumblers include reversing technology, while Over-dry Prevention Technology (OPT) has been added to the 30- and 45-pound stack tumblers. OPT is now available on all Huebsch tumblers. These features will help laundry managers increase throughput and reduce energy costs without compromising premium linens. “Huebsch is committed to the continual improvement of our products,” said Gary Dixon, North American sales manager, Huebsch. “These tumbler technologies are the most recent way we...

TROY, OHIO—The Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability (HCFS) announced plans to award a $5,000 grant to the organization judged to have the best-executed foodservice sustainability project. Applications are currently being accepted for the sixth annual HCFS grant, and the recipient is going to be announced at the 2013 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago.“On behalf of the HCFS, we’re very pleased to again offer a $5,000 grant to a foodservice organization that demonstrates leadership in sustainability best practices,” said Rick Cartwright, vice president, ITW Food Equipment Group and an HCFS Fellow. “We’re searching for examples of foodservice sustainability...

NATIONAL REPORT—For too many hoteliers, the past three to four years have been fraught with group cancelations, rate attrition, and cost reduction efforts. Engineering operations have been asked to do their part as well, often drastically reducing repair and maintenance expenses.   After all, with 10-12 cents of every dollar headed toward maintenance and energy, hoteliers often opted to eliminate or defer maintenance activities in a desperate attempt to maintain margins, prevent layoffs, or even just to keep the doors open. After years of trying to do more with less, the economic outlook is not quite as grim, and fiscal indicators...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—When you have 744 guestrooms in multiple buildings, a spa, restaurants, and three 18-hole golf courses—all on 3,000 acres—maintaining a high level of operational efficiency is always a challenge. At The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., however, the management team has been able to keep up with aging infrastructure thanks to owners who have poured $300 million into the property since 1995. It was in 1995 that renovations began on the historic hotel that was first constructed in 1918.“The main hotel building was built to 1918 energy standards,” says Terry McHale, The Broadmoor’s director of facilities. “It...

RIPON, WIS.—UniMac, a provider of on-premise laundry equipment, introduces the UW45 and UW65 hardmount washer-extractors. The UW45 and UW65 include features that help increase throughput, while offering a low cost of ownership. They are designed to handle double the spinning force of commercial washer-extractors, as well as the largest and most out of balance loads, resulting in less downtime and a longer machine life—allowing on-premises laundry managers to focus on what they do best. “These new machines allow on-premises laundries to clean more loads per day, which will help lower operating expenses by reducing employee overtime, dry times and utility...

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Champion Industries, manufacturer of a full line of premier commercial ware washing systems, introduces the EnviroPure Commercial Food Waste Solution System. Champion’s EnviroPure system, properly sized and operated within simple operational guidelines, will turn organic waste into wastewater that meets wastewater discharge standards. Champion will refund the purchase price and remove the system if it does not perform as guaranteed within the first 60 days.Unlike disposers that merely grind waste, EnviroPure uses a proprietary, all natural Bio-Mix additive, to break down food waste daily into safe, clean water that can be used for agricultural needs or just sent...