PROVIDENCE, R.I.—NYLO Providence/Warwick has received Green Hospitality Certification from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). In a ceremony before Rhode Island’s hospitality industry elite, the 163-room, urban loft hotel was honored for its outstanding conservation and recycling programs. NYLO Providence/Warwick is the state’s first hotel to run on 100 percent renewable energy. Through a partnership with People’s Power & Light, the property offsets its entire electricity usage with a mix of local and regional solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric power sources. “Despite New England’s high energy costs, NYLO is deeply committed to sustainability,” says Christine Nevers, general manager,...

WAIKOLOA, HAWAII—Hydrologix Grease Reduction Systems, Inc. announced that its new Hydrologix Grease Reduction System, the Hydrologix GRS, is being used by the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa in Waikoloa, Hawaii, to turn its restaurants’ brown grease waste into clear water—on the spot, in the grease trap. “This is huge for the hotel industry, restaurants, food plants and other food service operations,” says Cindy Furtado, vice president of sales for Hydrologix Grease Reduction Systems. “It’s the wave of the future. Our GRS is the most ‘green’ solution commercially available and very affordable. With no more pumping and dumping, we are...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing new requirements for commercial griddles and ovens to earn the Energy Star label that will help protect the environment and reduce energy costs for businesses. Energy Star labeled griddles and ovens are approximately 10 to 20 percent more energy efficient than standard models. If all commercial griddles and ovens sold in the United States meet the new specifications, the energy cost savings would grow to more than $700 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from more than 660,000 vehicles. The addition of the two new specifications...

CHICAGO—Traulsen’s new quick chiller moves food quickly and safely from serving temperature to storing temperature. Food is chilled rapidly and safely through the temperature Danger Zone (from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to below 41 degrees Fahrenheit) to prolong the freshness of ingredients and reduce spoilage of product. The quick chiller has INTELA-TRAUL microprocessor control for precise temperature maintenance, reliability and simple operation. “The Traulsen quick chiller is designed to chill its entire capacity in as little time as possible,” said John Davis, business development manager, Traulsen. “Food safety is a priority, and the INTELA-TRAUL microprocessor control can help ensure compliance with...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association launched a new campaign—the National Restaurant Association Conserve/EPA Energy Star Challenge—and is encouraging the nation’s nearly one million restaurants, their 13 million employees, as well as their suppliers and guests to reduce energy and water use in establishments. “There are many different ways to reduce energy and water consumption in restaurants,” said Association president and CEO Dawn Sweeney. “We hope that our Conserve/EPA Challenge campaign will motivate those within our industry to continue their journey toward a more sustainable future. Many of the small steps recommended on our Conserve website will make a significant difference...

TRYON, N.C.—Ozone Water Technologies has added the LaundrOzone LZB-UV to its product line. The LaundrOzone LZB-UV Series Ozone System utilizes Ultraviolet Ray (UV) technologies and ambient air as a gas feed to produce high quality ozone gas. The LaundrOzone LZB-UV is a new ozone generator aimed at giving any businesses with small laundries a viable source to reduce their gas, electric, and water consumption. LaundrOzone LZB-UV is designed for small industrial washer extractors up to 40lb/17kg capacity. Ozone Water Technologies, Inc. will be showing the LaundrOzone LZB-UV at the Clean Show at booth 4727. The event will be held June...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Mike Fullerton recently joined Continental Girbau, Inc. as national sales manager for the company’s newest division–Girbau Industrial. Fullerton, of Floral City, Fla., will manage North American sales of the Girbau Industrial brand of heavy-duty industrial laundry systems. Holding 27 years of laundry industry experience, Fullerton brings expertise in industrial equipment sales to the Continental Girbau team, according to Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales and customer services. “Mike boasts a broad laundry industry background and specialization in industrial sales, which made him the perfect fit for this newly created position,” Jorgensen said. “He holds solid experience at both the...

NATIONAL REPORT—Alternatives to the traditional 100 percent cotton or cotton/polyester blend towels are becoming more common in the lodging industry—especially at luxury and boutique properties. In fact, many suppliers now offer organic cotton towels, organic cotton towels with a blend of bamboo fibers, or 100 percent bamboo towels. One can also find 100 percent cotton towels with super-fine, Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton. Each of these new towel styles are more environmentally friendly in their own way when compared to the towels the lodging industry has been using for so long. There is a cost premium to buying “green” alternatives—sometimes a...

CHICAGO—Greg Christian, a Chicago native who brought a successful sustainable food program to the Chicago Public School system, is opening a national consulting firm to help restaurateurs, hoteliers, caterers, and all types of food service management achieve sustainability goals that help the community and environment. The new company, Greg Christian Consulting, (GCC), will evaluate and diagnose a company’s current corporate social responsibility and organizational accountability systems and help clients execute long-term sustainable performance. The main focus will be on procurement, environmental and waste management, seasonality, sustainability education, creative vision, and selling and marketing sustainability. Possible outcomes include implementing zero...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Cypress Luxury Bed & Bath Amenities as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Cypress’ focus is on exclusive bed and bath linens that are luxurious, durable, and environmentally friendly. They require significantly less energy to launder, 30 percent less water consumption, less detergent, and 10 to 20 percent less drying time. Cypress Green Earth towels are manufactured at a zero-effluent discharge textile mill in India, using Control Union-certified, eco-friendly dyes to reduce environmental impact. Call (800) 347-7623, e-mail sales@cypressbathrobes.com, or go to www.cypressgreenearth.com for additional information.