WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Assn. (NRA) announced that it is forming a new board of directors task force to take the lead on implementing the association’s recently launched environmental initiative and encourage the nation’s 935,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets to adopt practices that are good for both business and the environment. The Green Task Force is being created at the association’s board meeting and trade show in Chicago, and will be chaired by Niki Leondakis, chief operating officer of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. The association launched its environmental initiative in the summer of 2006, and received a grant...

NATIONAL REPORT—If you are looking to reduce water consumption in your kitchen and still have not implemented pre-rinse spray valves that conform to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), now is the time to do so. Thanks to EPAct 2005, all spray valves sold today must have a flow rate of not more than 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm) at 60 pounds per square inch (psi). According to Phil Germinario, director of marketing, sales and customer service for Niagara Conservation, Cedar Knolls, N.J., there was a time when these valves used 3 to 6 gpm. “If you switch from...

LAS VEGAS, CHICAGO—The HD 2007 Expo & Conference, to be held in Las Vegas at the Sands Convention Center from May 9-12, and the National Restaurant Association Show, to be held in Chicago at McCormick Place from May 19-22, will both feature myriad green events for attendees—everything from a green luncheon at the HD 2007 Expo & Conference to a Green Restaurant Products Pavilion at the NRA Show. In Las Vegas, HD Expo & Conference green activities will kick off on Wednesday, May 9, with the second annual Green Luncheon. Three case studies will be presented, each of which involves...

DALLAS—In honor of international Earth Day on April 22, Accor North America (NA), which operates more than 1,200 upscale and economy hotels, will launch Accor Earth Guest Week from April 15-22. As part of the Earth Guest initiatives implemented at Accor hotels worldwide, Accor NA will plant 20,000 trees representing each Accor employee in North America, implement a 65-point environmental checklist at all properties and corporate, and donate $375,000 to educational and charitable groups. The Accor NA Earth Guest Week efforts are designed to maximize Accor employee involvement in beautifying Mother Earth, educating and helping the community and...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes American Dryer Corp. (ADC) as a Green Product Directory partner. ADC manufactures Solaris dryers, which lead the market in energy efficiency. Hotel owners can save up to 30 percent on energy with 100 percent axial airflow and reduce drying time with a moisture sensor and auto shutoff, thereby lowering utility costs. Go to American Dryer Corp., write to sales@amdry.com, or call (508)-678-9000 for more information.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Hoffmaster as a Green Product Directory partner. Hoffmaster is the maker of Earth Wise, an environmentally responsible line of recycled paper products, including beverage, dinner and dispenser napkins, and guest towels. The products contain no less than 65 percent post-consumer content. Earth Wise is an easy choice for those wishing to convey a positive message of environmental stewardship. A recycled symbol and message is printed on each napkin. Go to Hoffmaster, write to oshkosh.direct.marketing@solocup.com, or call (800)-327-9774 for more information.

CHICAGO—Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a full line of commercial refrigeration systems for over 65 years, announced that it has received the Kitchen Innovations (KI) 2007 Award from the National Restaurant Assn. Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show for its Master Controller with patented Reverse Cycle Defrost for walk-in refrigeration systems. The Master Controller is an electronic control system that regulates an electric expansion valve for precise refrigerant pressure and superheat through the evaporator coil. It also features demand defrost which automatically detects when a defrost is necessary. When combined with Reverse Cycle Defrost, energy savings can reach 27 percent. The award winning...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Maytag Commercial unveils it 304-grade stainless steel top, front and sides, Soft-Mount, High-Speed Extractors. This line of high-speed washer/extractors provides the right size and useful features for on-premises launderers. The expanded breadth of Maytag soft-mount product is available in a variety of sizes to best meet on-premises laundry needs including 25-, 35-, 50-, 80-, 100- and 125-lb. capacities. Every size offers a large cleaning capacity, plus installation flexibility. The soft-mount suspension system eliminates the need for machine bolt-down, so even wooden floor installations are possible. With an inverter drive system, on-premises launderers will notice a decrease...

LAKE PLACID, FLA.—Every year tens of millions of cans of chafing fuel are burned worldwide, emitting hazardous carbon dioxide; they are then disposed of in landfills or oceans. To address that, Intracoastal Innovations Inc. introduces the Buffet Burner Chafing Dish Heater, an eco-friendly, electric alternative that offers incomparable advantages over canned chafing fuels. Among the features is the “smart” controller which is designed to allow the user to safely and easily adjust the intensity of the temperature. The slim stainless steel profile and patented magnetic design enable this heater to fit most full-size chafing dishes. The Buffet...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. announced that it will receive the 2007 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This award is given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding environmental leadership year after year, while sustaining product and marketing excellence. This unique honor represents the company’s eighth Energy Star Award win. Whirlpool Corp. will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2007. Whirlpool Corp., an Energy Star partner since 1998, will be honored for its...