WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association has launched the pilot of Greener Restaurants—a new national program to recognize restaurants’ environmental sustainability efforts. A limited number of restaurants have signed on to participate in the pilot that will open to industrywide participation in the next few months. Greener Restaurants will show operators how to save money while “going greener” and share their successes with guests. “We listened to what our members have told us they wanted: a flexible, effective and affordable program to help them do the right thing for the planet and for their business, and worked closely with them...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart announced that the patent-pending Energy Star qualified AM Select Ventless warewasher is the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) Product of the Year for 2010. FCSI presented the award following a tally of votes gathered from professional consultants at its recent annual conference in Minneapolis. FCSI is a prominent, globally recognized organization of more than 1,400 members who design foodservice installations and specify a broad range of equipment ranging from commercial ovens and storage refrigerators to dishwashers and cleaning systems. At its annual conference FCSI members vote on the most innovative products among 10 finalists selected in the...

NEW YORK—FoodBizSupply.com has become the first nationwide, online source for the GreenBox pizza box, environmentally friendly pizza to-go packaging available to pizzerias, restaurants, cafeterias, and foodservice companies. Designed by e.c.o. Inc. the patented GreenBox has received extensive traditional and social media coverage, including a positive review on Twitter from actor Ashton Kutcher and a YouTube video with more than 800,000 viewings. The GreenBox is made in America from 100 percent recycled post-consumer content. The box top perforates into four rectangular “plates,” eliminating the need for paper plates or the energy/water usage from cleaning regular plates after the meal. The...

DALLAS—Prota Culture, a waste management solutions company, announces the launch of BioPod Plus, a highly advanced compost bin that utilizes native grubs to speed up the bioconversion process. The BioPod Plus provides a unique composting experience that recovers valuable proteins and lipids for domesticated animals and wildlife. Unlike traditional composting that slowly breaks down food and yard waste to create soil for yards, grub composting is a rapid process that produces nutritious feed for chickens, fish and songbirds. “With the unveiling of BioPod Plus, composting food waste will be taken to the next level, as improvements for ease of use...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Electrolux introduces the newest addition to its professional air-o-steam range: the air-o-steam TOUCHLINE. “The new air-o-steam TOUCHLINE combi oven is truly one of a kind,” says Angelo Grillas, director of Marketing for Electrolux Professional North America. “It is the evolution of Electrolux combi ovens—a perfect blend of Electrolux’s history and future. The new air-o-steam TOUCHLINE symbolizes our commitment to technologically advanced, reliable and environmentally sustainable products.” When developing the air-o-steam TOUCHLINE, Electrolux Professional conducted approximately 1,200 interviews with end users all around the world to get their input for the new oven. “Research has shown that our customers...

AUBURN, N.H.—Aquawing Ozone Injection Systems (AWOIS) LLC, Auburn, N.H., recently unveiled a new website that includes educational information pertaining to ozone laundry systems, research, product information, customer testimonials and environmental benefits. AWOIS is a manufacturer of ozone laundry systems focused on improving laundry processes, conserving natural resources and reducing negative effects of laundry processing on the environment. The company’s Aquawing Variable Ozone laundry systems are in place at hundreds of hotels, nursing homes, hospitals, on-premise laundries and correctional facilities across North America. “Many people don’t fully realize the benefits of ozone laundry systems,” said Brett Daniels, vice president of AWOIS....

SOUTH EGREMONT, MASS.—Monarch Bath, Bed & Spa, a leading global provider of bathrobes and luxury hotel linens, announced the introduction of MONARCH ECO, a new line of hotel linens designed to conserve water and reduce energy costs in the laundry operation, while maximizing comfort and durability. “Our experience tells us that hoteliers are primarily concerned with guests’ perceptions, the product’s life cycle and energy usage when considering linen purchases,” said Gene Faul, CEO of Monarch Bath, Bed & Spa. “With our Eco line, it is no longer necessary to choose between luxury, durability and energy efficiency. Our Monarch Eco towels...

RIPON, WIS.—UniMac, the manufacturer of on-premise laundry equipment, has begun offering Building Information Modeling (BIM) objects of its most popular models for download by architects and engineers. Consistent with the brand’s industry leadership position, UniMac is the first and only laundry equipment manufacturer to offer this break-through service. Architects can now incorporate representations of UniMac’s highly efficient and labor-saving washer-extractors and drying tumblers into 3-D building models. This allows the architect to see how the equipment fits into the space as well as how to coordinate utility requirements and clearances for maintenance. By making BIM objects available, UniMac is simplifying...

TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts across the globe will raise awareness and funds to protect endangered fish throughout the month of April. Chefs in Fairmont dining rooms will demonstrate to diners how good the alternatives can be by highlighting their favorite sustainable seafood entrees. Dining room guests will be invited to donate $1 (or local equivalent) to the National Geographic Society (NGS) in support of ocean conservation and the restoration of living marine resources. Fairmont’s commitment to ocean sustainability means working with reputable suppliers who purchase fish that are resilient to fishing pressure and harvested in ways that limit damage...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently unveiled a new website that includes improved navigation, more client videos, and additional content specific to every potential customer and end user. “The new site is redesigned for easier navigation, which allows users to get the information they need fast,” says Mike Floyd, president of the company. “Our previous site relied on older technology that did not allow the level of transparency we desired between the customer and Continental. By changing our technology, the new site is more searchable—by search engines and users.” Site visitors can immediately locate information by product type–washers, dryers, ironers, or industrial...