ANNAPOLIS, MD.—Maryland is on the brink of becoming the first state to ban expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food containers, as the State House passed a bill that would ban restaurants, grocery stores, and other food providers from using foam food containers because of their harmful impact on the environment. The bill also bans the retail sale of these products. The bill passed 97-38, with bi-partisan support. Following a pro-forma vote from one chamber on the other chamber’s bill, the legislation only needs Gov. Larry Hogan’s signature to become law. Often referred to as Styrofoam, lightweight littered EPS foam food containers...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added two new videos to its Vendor Videos section. The first video describes the Trapzilla Super-Capacity Grease Interceptor for grease separation and storage. Trapzilla grease interceptors, solids separators, and sampling ports are designed for easy installation while efficiently dealing with grease and solids waste. The second video describes the Big Dipper for capturing and dewatering kitchen grease. Big Dipper’s complete line of grease traps, solid strainers, and accessories give kitchen operators the tools they need to take control of grease and solids. Big Dipper products use stainless steel wraps and inner corrosion-resistant plastic tanks...

You may never see another one like it. The $15 million Fairfield Inn & Suites Fair Oaks Farms in Fair Oaks, Indiana is built to look like a barn. According to nwi.com, Fair Oaks Farms opened the 99-room hotel to cater to wedding guests, those attending special events, and others. Before the new Fairfield was completed, there were no hotels in the immediate vicinity for overnight visitors and wedding parties to lodge. The hotel is directly connected to the farm-to-fork Farmhouse Restaurant and a u-pick-it apple orchard is expected to open soon. a u-pick-it apple orchard that's expected to...

TORONTO—Plant-based alternatives and paper straws are now some of Canada’s hottest dining trends, while cannabis-infused products are leading the charge for what’s next, according to Restaurants Canada’s 2019 Chef Survey. Each year, Restaurants Canada asks chefs from across the country to identify the industry’s most popular menu items and cooking methods, and share their top picks of what’s trending now and coming up next in restaurants. Here’s what they said is trending right now: Top 10 Hot Trends • Craft beer/microbrews • Sous vide • House-made condiments/sauces • NEW! Plant-based burgers and sausages • Locally sourced foods (Locavore) • NEW! Paper straws • Food smoking • Charcuterie/house-cured meats • Sustainable seafood • Pickling “Canada’s...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacations Worldwide has committed to the fight to end hunger with its annual Harvest for Hunger food drive. The month-long initiative—which took place from November 1 through 30—encourages associates, owners and guests at participating resorts and Marriott Vacations Worldwide offices around the world to share in the spirit of the holiday season by donating nonperishable food items to benefit local food banks. This year’s donations totaled more than 55 tons—or 110,000 pounds—providing the equivalent of more than 91,500 meals for people in need. The drive once again exceeded its ambitious donation goal, surpassing last year’s collection by...

LOS ANGELES—Quipworks announced the nationwide expansion of its cutting-edge GLSand glass reduction system. Designed for bars, hotels, resorts, and holiday homes, the machine allows owners to easily recycle glass materials into fine sand or grit in just a few seconds. The GLSand system is distributed by Quipworks, which provides sustainable equipment to help the hospitality industry reduce waste, control costs, and ensure a safer environment for customers and crews. The GLSand glass reduction system was introduced with great success at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, a luxury resort in Southern California. Since its implementation, the machine has helped staff at the...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The NAFEM Show, held every two years, wrapped up in Orlando on February 9 at the Orange County Convention Center. More than 600 suppliers featured their latest products to help restaurateurs and hoteliers save money, energy, water and reduce waste. It would be impossible to mention every product showcased in a single article. The following is just a sampling of some cool products found among the many aisles at the show: Bluewater unveiled its Bluewater Pro 400 and Bluewater Spirit water purifier model lines that help foodservice professionals deliver fresh produce, achieve clean glassware and cutlery, and offer coffee...

SINGAPORE—Greenview has released its 106-page Green Lodging Trends Report 2018. The Report is the lodging industry’s annual exercise to assess and catalyze green innovation, best practices, and awareness regarding the state of sustainability across hotels worldwide. The Report highlights and summarizes responses to 115 survey questions in these categories: Energy Management, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Health & Wellness, Back of House, Communications, Staff Involvement, Community Involvement, and Climate Action & Certification. Greenview received data for 4,544 hotels across 61 countries. Of the overall data set, 2,202 properties were classified as City/Urban Hotels, 814 as Suburban Hotels, 607 as Resorts, 296...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Sharc Energy Systems to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Waste Heat Recovery/Recycling category. Every day, a tremendous amount of warm water is used once before ultimately being discarded down the drain. Wastewater provides the ultimate renewable energy source, with an inexhaustible supply of thermal energy. SHARC Energy Systems, the world’s largest waste heat recovery company, offers two innovative products that use wastewater as an energy source. The SHARC and PIRANHA reuse thermal energy in wastewater to provide cost-effective and environmentally clean domestic hot water pre-heating and space heating and air conditioning....

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Traulsen is kicking off 2019 with the introduction of new equipment features that give foodservice operations more choice and greater control. Known for its 80-year history of manufacturing quality commercial refrigeration equipment, Traulsen is debuting its next generation Smart Control system on all R-Series and A-Series reach-in refrigerators and freezers. Smart Control, designed with an easy to read and operate digital display, is built on custom software developed to maximize efficiency, provide sophisticated system diagnostics, and simplify the operator interface. Replacing the Intela-Traul control system that has been in operation for nearly two decades, Smart Control advances R-Series...