I hate to be the one to break this to you, but there’s a big leak in your hotel’s kitchen. It’s a veritable gusher. And it’s been going on for a long time. However, before you send maintenance running with a wrench, I recommend a call to your F&B manager and executive chef. Because the leak isn’t caused by water; it’s from pre-consumer food waste. And it’s not anyone’s fault; it’s a by-product of the way hotel conference centers forecast and produce food for banquets, buffets and receptions. In fact, 4 to 8 percent of the food you purchase will...

CHICAGO—Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a full line of commercial refrigeration systems, recently unveiled its optional MBWA-1 digital walk-in alarm and light management system. The new factory-installed MBWA-1 replaces less accurate mechanical thermometers, separate alarms and light switches with one convenient unit. It saves energy with its door open alarm as well as its internal light timer, which automatically switches off the light. It comes equipped with a number of features including high/low temperature alarms, light management and a panic alarm. An optional battery backup is also available. The MBWA-1 is designed to help eliminate the two biggest energy wasters on a...

TRYON, N.C.—Ozone Water Technologies Inc. announces the opening of its new office in Tryon, N.C. The company moved to a larger space to accommodate the increase in business volume and to add a parts and service warehouse. Jim Gross, president of Ozone Water Technologies, says his company is experiencing tremendous growth and will add more staff to meet these current needs. Ozone Water Technologies will expand with a complete new product line and parts warehouse for the North American market. The company has also developed a significant presence in markets outside of the United States for its ozone washing...

CLEARWATER BEACH, FLA.—The Sandpearl Resort, slated to open in August, has been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification requirements. JMC Communities, the resort’s developer and owner, is resolute in following the specific LEED requirements, which include elements that preserve the beauty of Clearwater Beach so that it can be shared with generations to come. A prime example is the resort’s salt bromine pool filtration system, which, while costing twice as much as a standard system to install, was a required element of the owner. The Sandpearl resort is passionate about not putting chlorine waste into...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—A green facility since it opened in 1987, the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (VCEC) is on track to triple its size in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The addition to the existing building will be a dramatic one and will include a six-acre green “living” roof, seawater heating and cooling, a fish habitat built into the building’s foundation, and an on-site water treatment facility. Forty percent of the addition will sit over the water, creating a striking contrast to the famous fabric roof sails that are part of the original building. According to Catherine Wong, vice president...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality has added the Buffet Burner Electric Chafing Dish Heater to its lineup of profit-enhancing products. Created and patented by Intracoastal Innovations, the Buffet Burner provides a safe, environmentally responsible alternative to costly, open-flame canned fuels used to maintain food temperature in hospitality kitchens, buffets, serving lines and banquets. Food and Beverage Managers will never have to worry about running out of canned fuel, or have to deal with the waste that comes from throwing out used fuel containers with the Buffet Burner. With this added convenience comes big savings, as the Buffet Burner is...

MIAMISBURG, OHIO—FreshMarx, a leader in automated date coding and the supplier of Monarch products and services, announced the release of its FreshMarx XL®PRO 29FFS three line labeler and supply system for improved efficiency and waste reduction. With the release of the FreshMarxTM XL® PRO 29FFS three line labeler and supply system, restaurant owners and food service managers will be able to reduce the amount of labeling stock and labelers they keep on hand, while improving the accuracy of their date coding systems. “XL PRO does the date coding work of seven different labels all with one labeling...

SEATTLE—Impex Development LLC and Whirlpool Corp. have formed a marketing partnership to provide distinctive and sustainable interiors based on realistic price points for the hospitality industry. The partnership will incorporate energy-efficient appliances from Whirlpool Corp. within Impex’s manufacture of eco-friendly kitchens, baths and architectural door systems. “Both companies are passionate about making it easier for hospitality and multifamily professionals to create exceptional, eco-friendly environments,” says Jeff Smitley, LEED AP, president of Energy & Environmental Solutions. “Interiors from Impex help contribute points toward the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system and the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes rating...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Neifer Installations (1968) Ltd., Coquitlam, British Columbia, as a Green Product Directory Partner. In Canada, Neifer sells DynOzone, the only washer/extractor with an integrated ozone system. DynOzone enables hoteliers to save on hot water, chemicals, drying time and water usage. Ozone also sanitizes and disinfects without harsh chemicals. Because the ozone is integrated, there are no additional connections or floor space needed. Call (604) 516-6030, go to www.neifer.com, or e-mail neifer@shaw.ca for information.

In one of my previous working lives I worked for a well-known pizza chain for about six months—as a waiter and delivery driver. One of my most vivid memories from that time is the volume of waste that was generated. Each night I would haul garbage bags full of unused pizza dough to the dumpster. In the hot weather it was quite a site—a huge container full of sticky, yeast-smelling dough just waiting to grow into something resembling the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. For all of those out there with restaurants, I hope you are doing a better...