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.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Continental Girbau, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Continental’s high-performance washer-extractors boost profits by decreasing water, natural gas and electricity usage. The equipment maximizes laundry productivity while using less labor. Thanks to Continental high-performance washer-extractors, hotels reduce utility and labor costs, and in the process, conserve the Earth’s natural resources. The company offers a full line of quality built card or coin laundry equipment and on-premise commercial washer and dryers. For additional information, call (800) 256-1073, e-mail info@continentalgirbau.com, or go to www.continentalgirbau.com.

PISCATAWAY, N.J.—American Standard announced it has begun production of solid-brass faucets that comply with new lead-free regulations. Early next year, all American Standard residential lavatory and kitchen faucets will contain less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) total lead content by weighted average, the new lead-free standard required by California and Vermont by 2010. “American Standard faucets have long used significantly less lead than other brands,” explained Dave Meisner, vice president and general manager of American Standard. “Through an innovative new brass alloy formulation that utilizes bismuth, the new faucets will have less lead while maintaining our hallmark quality,...