LAS VEGAS—More than 600 exhibitors displayed their goods and services at last week’s HD Expo at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. More than 80 of those exhibitors identified themselves as sustainable in one way or another. It would be impossible to mention all those companies in this article but below are many examples of what this author considered especially creative and unique.
Elkay Manufacturing Co. introduced its ezH2O Liv Pro Filtered Water Dispenser. Unlike other Elkay dispensers, this one features a low-profile design and a more upscale look with its either black or white frame. It fits within 16” OC 2” X 4” studs.
The material used in the furniture and other products made by ChopValue Chopsticks. The company showed examples of some of its work that has resulted in the recycling of 100 million chopsticks.
Tempur + Sealy featured its Naturals Hybrid Mattress made from 100 percent natural latex. The cover features fibers made from hemp, organic cotton, and lightweight modal. The wool blend is naturally flame retardant and it is constructed using hand-tufting which reduces glue usage.
Crossville Inc.’s two carbon neutral tile collections—Civilization and Native Metal—were used in that company’s booth design. The collections represent a significant first step toward the company’s current short-term goal of a 30 percent carbon footprint reduction.
Say Goodbye to Bath Towels
Valiryo demonstrated its body dryer—an alternative to towel drying. Located in the shower itself, the dryer eliminates the environmental impact of large towel washing and drying. Also seen on the show floor: the VOVO AirCare Foot & Body Dryer.
Formology, a manufacturer of architectural panels and wood surfaces for use in a wide variety of applications, introduced its AgriFORM Hazelnut and AgriFORM panels made from hazelnut shells and hemp byproduct.
Object Carpet displayed its NEOO carpet designed for endless life. The carpet is 100 percent recyclable and made from just one material—100 percent polyester.
Oasense, Inc. featured its sensor-based showerhead with a built-in micro turbine that automatically changes the water flow to conserve water without compromising on the shower experience. Water flow is reduced when the guest is not in the shower or not actively rinsing under the shower. The showerhead won a Red Dot Design Award in 2022.
Evolve Technologies offered its shower valves that reduce warm-up waste in showers. They save energy and water without lowering showerhead flow.
Terrazzo and Marble Supply Co. showed its Terroxy Epoxy Terrazzo Flooring System that has attained GREENGUARD GOLD Certification through UL Environment.
Plenty of Rooms for Mushrooms
Mohawk Group featured Mycotopia. The carpet design celebrates the beauty and ecological importance of mushrooms. The collection was designed by the Durkan Design team.
GTO Aluminum Manufacturing displayed its many aluminum solutions for exterior and interior design—deck surfaces, pergolas, fences, wall coverings, and more. All are recyclable.
The Kingsdown Group featured its current selection of mattresses. According to the company, it “takes pride in the sustainable sourcing of natural materials such as organic cotton, natural latex, Joma wool, Canadian lumber, and coil systems made from recycled steel.”
Summit International Flooring was at HD Expo promoting its wide variety of flooring options including cork, recycled leather, decorative rubber, turf, vinyl, and carpet. Summit products test to ASTM standards and most products contribute to LEED projects.
Koroseal, a leading designer and manufacturer of hospitality and contract wallcoverings, and Arte, also a creator of wallcoverings, partnered to debut new collections. The wallcoverings incorporate a rich range of patterns and textures featuring materials including traditional non-wovens, natural elements such as banana bark, and other sustainable materials. Even the invasive plant kudzu was used in the wallcoverings.
Making Sleep More Comfortable
Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles featured its pillows, blankets, and comforters. Blue Ridge down and feathers meet numerous global standards including Fair Trade Certified. The company has introduced 37.5 Technology in its products. It moves heat and moisture away from the body. The technology also reduces linen dry time.
Polar Shades demonstrated its manual and motorized interior and exterior shading products that mitigate glare, heat, and UV rays while providing optimal shade. Numerous energy efficient fabrics are available.
Busch Systems, a Certified B Corporation since 2019, featured its wide variety of customizable, creatively designed waste and recycling containers.
TANGENT Technologies, LLC featured its poly lumber made from post-consumer and post-industrial recycled material. The lumber is used in products ranging from furniture to decking to playground equipment.
UNWASTED offered a variety of tables and chairs made from poly lumber, as did Berlin Gardens.
Solar Protection with Fabric Made from Recycled Materials
Serge Ferrari Group debuted Soltis Loop Sunmate, the first-ever interior solar protection fabric made from 100 percent recycled materials from post-consumer waste. Unique from other interior solar protection materials that only use either recycled yarn or recycled coating, Soltis Loop Sunmate is composed of 100 percent recycled polyester yarns in its base and 100 percent recycled polymers in its coating.
Berkshire Hospitality displayed its many products made from ecofiber—top sheets, sheeting, quilts and coverlets, blankets, comforters, mattress pad, and pillows and shams. The company’s ecofiber fabrics are made with recycled plastic bottles to create bedding with less waste and a reduced carbon footprint.
Mater, founded in Copenhagen in 2006, combines sustainability and circular production using waste, with timeless design, through collaboration with an external base of well-established and new design talents. Products made from waste range from chairs and tables to different types of lamps. Waste streams used include plastic waste, coffee shell waste, discarded fishing nets, used beer kegs, and more.
Pure Wellness offered its seven-step process to create a Pure Room or multiple Pure Rooms. The process includes ozone shock treatment, air conditioner unit purification, Pure clean sanitation, a Pure shield barrier, 24/7 air purification, an antimicrobial tea tree oil cartridge in the air conditioner, and allergy-friendly bedding.
Jiangsu Soho International Yangzhou Co., Ltd. featured its line of hotel amenities—items ranging from dispensers to amenity bottles made from 20 percent straw instead of plastic.
Concrete Products with a Protective Layer
Concretti Designs displayed its products that are individually handcrafted using an engineered concrete formula which consists of only natural ingredients such as cement, water, sand, aggregate and pigments. Each product is sealed with multiple layers of high-performance waterproof sealer which penetrates the concrete and forms a protective layer over the product to ensure maximum durability and minimum maintenance required.
MTS Seating’s commitment to sustainability is seen not only in its furniture featured at HD Expo but in its overall business strategy. For example, the company was the first hospitality seating manufacturer to earn the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification for its entire line of seating.
Emser Tile showed its many tile styles, all of which have an HPD accreditation. The Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC) provides a full disclosure of the potential chemicals of concerning products by comparing product ingredients to a set of priority “hazard” lists based on the GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals and additional lists from other government agencies.
American Leather featured its new Matteo Sofa. It has a two-tone option with one cover for the body of the frame and another cover for the seat and back cushions. As a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, American Leather is committed to reducing its environmental footprint every step of the way. Furniture frames are made from wood sourced from sustainable forests, and any leather or fabric scrap that remains is either recycled or sold to produce small leather goods.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
