NATIONAL REPORT—Using different technologies, two innovative suppliers are making sure that the energy housed in laundry machines is not just sent down the drain after each wash load. Hotel owners investing in such systems are saving money, water, energy and helping to reduce their environmental impact at the same time. The two companies are AquaRecycle and SHARC International Systems. While AquaRecycle has been helping hoteliers for many years, SHARC International Systems is just beginning to establish a presence in the lodging industry. AquaRecycle specializes in recycling laundry waste water. AquaRecycle has more than 400 systems installed worldwide and has recycled...

BOULDER, COLO.—With the growth in consumer demand for packaging choices that are both sustainable and innovative, Eco-Products is now offering compostable lids that allow sipping without a straw. The compostable lids, made from a plant-based plastic, make it easy to sip from a cup without spilling. Eco-Products already is supplying arenas in the United States and Canada with the lids to help fans not spill their beverages as they cheer on their teams. “We tried out the lids first with Canadian hockey fans,” said Sarah Martinez, Director of Marketing for Eco-Products. “They loved not spilling their beers, so we knew we...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Nor-Lake, manufacturer and supplier of a full line of commercial refrigeration equipment, will be displaying a wide array of products in a redesigned booth with interactive video presentation at the NAFEM Show in Orlando, Fla., February 7 to 9, 2019, in booth #3027. One of the many highlights of the booth will be Nor-Lake’s new glass door merchandisers. Refrigerator and freezer model selections include both swing and slide door refrigerators and swing door freezers. Standard features include: LED backlit top panel, providing full illumination of product; Four adjustable shelves per door, providing maximum merchandising flexibility; R290 refrigerant, providing optimum...

CHICAGO—Day after day, Washington, D.C’s Teaism would trash pounds of broccoli stems, trimmings from florets served in the fast-casual’s bento boxes. Eyeing the waste, co-owner Michelle Brown would demur to Chef Alison Swope: “It’s a shame we can’t do anything with all those stems.” Challenge accepted. Swope’s “Broccoli Tots” combine ground broccoli stems with goat cheese and seasonings, balled together and then breaded with panko and fried. A favorite at the three Teaism locations, the dish is featured in the “Trash or Treasure” section of the restaurant’s menu, which highlights items made from ingredients that would otherwise be wasted. This...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Master-Bilt, manufacturer and supplier of a full line of commercial refrigeration equipment, will be displaying a wide array of products in a redesigned booth with interactive video presentation at the NAFEM Show in Orlando, February 7 to 9, 2019, in booth #2823. Master-Bilt’s newly designed booth will highlight many items including its redesigned ice cream dipping/display merchandisers. Features include: Full glass top and LED lighting, maximizing product visibility; R290 refrigerant and redesigned refrigeration systems, providing optimum efficiency; Lower back rail, providing improved operator ergonomics for easier dipping; Radiused rear edge of cabinet, also providing improved operator comfort; and Available...

INWOOD, N.Y.—Laundrylux announces acquisition of the assets of Golden State Laundry Systems, California. “We are thrilled to partner with Mike & Laura Hurrell and the Golden State team in San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area to serve the California market and accelerate growth,” says John Sabino, Laundrylux’s CEO. “We have had a long, successful relationship with Laundrylux, and to participate financially in Laundrylux’s acquisitions and consolidation of professional laundry distribution is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Mike Hurrell says. Neal Milch, Executive Chairman of Laundrylux, notes, “We have numerous acquisitions in development and every transaction includes management continuing to...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—As of February 1, 2019, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) will eliminate all Styrofoam from 19 Sandals and Beaches Resorts across seven major Caribbean islands—from Jamaica and the Bahamas to Grenada and Turks & Caicos—in a continued effort to protect the environment. “As we enter the New Year, it’s incredibly important to our Sandals family that environmental sustainability remains a key priority,” said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “After eliminating plastic straws, stirrers, laundry bags and gift shop bags last year, we’re choosing to eliminate Styrofoam from our resorts. We’re proud that many of the islands...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The NAFEM Show (North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers), to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from Thursday, February 7 through Saturday, February 9, will feature more than 600 equipment and supplies manufacturers. Many of those manufacturers will offer products to help hoteliers and restaurateurs reduce costs and impacts related to energy, water and waste. Registration for the event is currently $75. That fee will increase on January 17. Those interested in attending can access the 2019 exhibitor list on the NAFEM website. One company in attendance will be ExBio NA, Inc., a maker of...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added a Quipworks Inc. video to the Vendor Videos section of its website. The video explains the many benefits of the GLSand—a compact glass bottle crusher that reduces bottles in volume by 10:1 to a safe to handle sand like product. The machine is designed for waste reduction, cost reduction and sustainability for the food, hospitality, and leisure Industries. The GLSand will provide a positive impact on a property’s waste reduction goals, and create a usable commodity for landscaping, pavement patching, pool filtration and other uses. The GLSand is quiet and easy to operate....

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA—Cannúa, a first-of-its-kind, 18-room boutique hotel set within a protected forest in Antioquia, Colombia, is scheduled to open in April 2019. Rooted in permaculture design principles and taking a holistic approach to sustainability, this 27-acre mountain-side property intends to forge a new era of experiential travel within the region. Guests of Cannúa will be among the first to explore this renewed, flourishing destination—one of the most biologically diverse and temperate in the world—through exquisite accommodation, natural encounters, and excursions designed to build a sense of community among neighbors, partners and visitors. “As Colombia continues to evolve as a destination of natural and cultural wonders, we’re proud to be...