WASHINGTON, D.C.—The appliance industry through the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) recently launched an independent verification program to confirm refrigerator and freezer internal volume and energy usage claims made by manufacturers and brand owners. This voluntary program is aimed at boosting the confidence of consumers, retailers and regulators in the validity of energy claims made by manufacturers of refrigerators and freezers sold in the United States and Canada.AHAM’s Refrigerator, Refrigerator-Freezer and Freezer Verification Program will also assist the Energy Star program, managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in approval and monitoring of qualified appliances and the...

BOSTON—In the early stages of an $18 million renovation project, one that will see a complete guestroom and corridor redesign, the 38-story, 803-room Westin Copley Place in Boston is preparing to add to its long list of environmental achievements. In 2010 the property earned Green Key and Green Seal certification, an Energy Star rating, and significantly reduced its energy consumption, water consumption and waste sent to landfill. The hotel’s green team, which deserves much of the credit for the accomplishments, is led by Jeff Hanulec, director of engineering, an industry veteran constantly on the lookout for ways to improve operational...

TROY, OHIO—ITW Food Equipment Group announced the launch of its sustainable design website. The new site provides customers with information on how to create a more sustainable operation in order to reduce operating costs and decrease impact on the environment. “Our customer awareness and deep product knowledge has shown us foodservice and grocery operators as well as suppliers are pledging to reduce waste, energy use and water use,” said Tom Szafranski, president of ITW Food Equipment Group-Commercial. “From this insight we created the sustainable food equipment site as a resource for our customers, showing them how to save money on...

BANGKOK—Dining at Soneva Kiri by Six Senses is anything but ordinary and has now been taken to new heights, with the recently launched Treepod Dining experience. The Treepod is situated at one of the best vantage points the resort offers, a few yards along the coastal path from the resort’s main facilities on the west facing side of the island. Guests board the rattan bird’s nest at ground level and fasten their leather seatbelts to be gently hoisted 16 feet into the tall, native massang trees. The Pod is outfitted with comfortable cushioned seating for up to four diners....

CHICAGO—The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers’ (NAFEM) biennial event, The NAFEM Show, February 10 to 12, 2011, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., will provide a first look at the foodservice equipment and supplies industry’s products, solutions and innovations in 2011. Attracting approximately 20,000 foodservice professionals and featuring more than 500 exhibitors, the show once again includes a new product gallery, topical educational sessions and networking opportunities. Innovative thinking is celebrated in WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL!, a one-stop-shop spotlighting new products in the areas of labor savings, sanitation, energy efficiency, food safety, lifecycle costs and more. The 2011...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corporation announced the opening of its new flagship brand and product experience center in Chicago’s Reid Murdoch Center. With nearly 30,000 square feet, the “World of Whirlpool Corporation” facility will become a destination for designers, trade customers, sales associates, industry influencers and media. The new space is designed to create excitement around Whirlpool Corporation brands by creating a destination environment that attracts and engages trade customers, designers and influencers to experience the brands in interactive, state-of-the-art environments. The facility will be used for training and continuing education for trade customers, designers, key influencers and top sales associates....

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.—Rounding out its Energy Advantage lineup, Maytag Commercial Laundry is introducing a newly designed Stack Washer/Dryer to the multi-housing, college and university, guest services markets and on-premises laundry (OPL). “Maytag(R) Commercial Laundry now has an energy-efficient solution to meet all commercial laundry needs,” said Craig Kirchner, global director of Maytag Commercial Laundry. “With the introduction of the latest stack washer/dryer, we are providing owners and customers with a dependable product that reduces utility expenses and offers exceptional cleaning ability.” With a focus on energy efficiency, the washer is Energy Star and CEE Tier III qualified. Its high-speed spin extractor...

TROY, OHIO—Product innovations from Hobart, Traulsen and Baxter are slated to be on display at the WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL! new product gallery during the 2011 North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) show. This is the second year the NAFEM show has included the gallery, a one-stop shop spotlighting innovative products that deliver tangible benefits such as energy and water efficiency, reduced lifecycle costs, improved food safety, labor saving, eco-friendly materials, and smaller footprints. Among the products featured in the 2011 gallery—products NAFEM chose via a vigorous selection process—are Hobart’s Advansys Ventless Door Type Warewasher, Baxter’s Hybrid Convection...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes EnviroPure Systems Inc. (EPS) as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. EPS’ food waste elimination systems eliminate food waste onsite within 24 hours. The systems are self-contained, continual feed, organic waste disposal systems. EPS manufactures in the United States and offers a choice of two technologies. Dry technology requires no water or drainage and can be located inside or outside. Wet technology eliminates food waste under water generating nutrient rich effluent. EPS custom designs every machine to best serve facility operational flow and space constraints. EPS...

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—GaiaRecycle, LLC, a global provider of organic waste recycling systems, announced the new G-30H modular model to address the food waste processing needs typically found in small restaurants. The GaiaRecycle G-30H system, featuring 66 pounds per day processing capacity, recycles mixed food scraps and organic waste including small bones (chicken, fish etc.), fruits, vegetables, pastas, starches, lean meats, bread, egg shells, and all liquids—plus milk or juice cartons, napkins and plastic utensils—without causing jamming, minimizes downtime and lowers overall maintenance/operation costs. This compact GaiaRecycle model (41”L x 32”W x 32”H) is ideally suited for food service providers delivering...