NATIONAL REPORT—With many areas of the United States experiencing from abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions this summer, many hoteliers are taking a close look at opportunities for water savings. One area of operations where there is an opportunity to reduce water use significantly is the laundry. At least two companies—P&G Professional and Ecolab USA—are gaining traction with programs that not only save water but also reduce energy consumption and extend linen life as well. P&G Professional’s Tide Professional Coldwater Laundry System helps reduce the water used in a commercial washer by up to 40 percent. Ecolab’s Aquanomic Laundry...

SAN RAMON, CALIF.—According to fishnick, it has launched its Fe3 online sustainability training for foodservice professionals. Fe3 (Foodservice Energy Efficiency Expert) is an online training program designed specifically to educate and certify foodservice professionals in the fundamentals of energy and water efficiency for commercial foodservice.A few years ago, the fishnick team started the discussion of creating certification training for foodservice professionals that would be delivered on an e Learning platform. Fishnick enlisted a small team to help execute the idea and bring Fe3 to life.Fe3’s development team consists of: Richard Young (Curriculum Development - Fe3; Dir. of Education -...

SMYRNA, TENN.—Franke Foodservice Systems announce that their variable speed kitchen ventilation control system, called VariVent, has been awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2016 Energy Star Emerging Technology Award. As a recipient of the 2016 Energy Star Award, VariVent is recognized as a promising technology that has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to high standards set by the EPA. Franke’s VariVent is an exhaust management system that offers savings on energy consumption for exhaust fan motors and HVAC systems. Without an exhaust management system, exhaust fans typically run at 100 percent regardless of the cooking load....

BEACON FALLS, CONN.—Lavatec Laundry Technology announced that industry veteran Jim Slatcher has joined the company as Western Regional Sales Manager. A second generation laundry industry manager with over 30 years of operations experience, he will be responsible for developing and expanding Lavatec’s presence in 10 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.For the last 11 years, Slatcher has managed his own consulting company where he assisted clients in the design, management and build out phases of new facilities, in addition to financial and operational optimization. He also managed an OPL in Mesquite, Nev. for the last four years. Slatcher’s career has...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes RieNu by Riegel as a Founding Sponsor. RieNu by Riegel is the first to market recycled table linen product. Made from recycled water bottles—the process includes collection, sanitizing, melting and extruding that molten material into yarn which is then woven and dyed to make RieNu.Riegel is one of six divisions under the Mount Vernon Mills, Inc. umbrella. Riegel is the division and brand name that services the hospitality industry. Riegel has earned the brand standard for every major North American hotel chain in the table linen category...

BOULDER, COLO.—Eco-Products announced that it has become a Certified B Corp, earning the coveted distinction for meeting “the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.”Eco-Products, a leading brand of food service packaging made with renewable resources and recycled content, joins a growing community of B Corp companies working to solve environmental and social problems. These companies are not competing just to be the best in the world, but to be the best for the world.“We’re excited and proud to announce our certification as a B Corporation because it represents everything we stand for as...

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.—The new Maytag Commercial Laundry Single-Load, Front-Load Washer is now available. Powered by an enhanced drive system, the high-efficiency machine uses approximately 10.71 gallons of water per cycle. “The machine’s enhancements help deliver outstanding efficiency, qualifying it for the Energy Star designation and making it an ideal choice for owners and route operators looking to boost their bottom line,” said Trey Northrup, General Manager of Maytag Commercial Laundry. “We are dedicated to manufacturing innovative products that deliver unmatched user experience, and this machine does just that.”Top innovations include:Advanced Spin Technology that offers excellent wash performance—Advanced Spin Technology...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the inventor of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced that it has signed a $500,000 deal with commercial launderer Scarab Group in St. Thomas for its award-winning polymer bead cleaning laundry system. In one of the largest laundry deals on St. Thomas this year, the Scarab Group replaced all of their conventional washers with Xeros laundry systems to reduce their water and energy costs without sacrificing the quality of service to their luxury hotel customers. Based in St. Thomas, the sustainably focused Scarab Group provides laundry services to the majority of hotels across the island. Caribbean businesses...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—Vero Water, a leading provider of luxury still and sparkling water to the hospitality industry, announced the debut of the Vero Water Tower and a sneak-peek at the VERO+4 at the National Restaurant Show. Both systems were designed specifically to meet the needs of large independent and national accounts. Vero Water offers great tasting luxury still and sparkling water—on site and on demand—swiftly, profitably, and sustainably by transforming tap water through its proprietary purification system.  In just a few years, Vero has rapidly become the “water brand of choice” among a growing number of the most celebrated...

STAMFORD, CONN—Element Hotels, Starwood’s stylish, sustainable brand for travelers committed to healthy living, is constantly looking for new ways to enhance its programming to fuel a healthy and balanced lifestyle for its guests around the world. Element is refreshing its popular complimentary RISE breakfast by adding a simple yet healthy option for guests to enjoy: a rotating menu of Handmade Granola, created exclusively for the extended-stay global brand.Offered in every Element hotel around the world, Element’s Homemade Granola menu will be available each morning, pre-mixed in a glass container and among other healthy options like fresh juices and smoothies,...