GREENSBORO, N.C.—Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels announced that The Proximity Hotel and Print Works Bistro have been awarded LEED Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is the USGBC’s rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings. Opened in late 2007, the Proximity is the first hotel and Print Works is the first restaurant to obtain the USGBC’s top level of certification. “When we started the design process four years ago, I would have never believed that we could use 41 percent less energy and 33 percent less water without...

PARSIPPANY, N.J. —Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, is expanding its environmental efforts through a “Global Green Day” event and the appointment of Faith Taylor as vice president, Sustainability and Innovation. “Global Green Day” will take place in Wyndham Worldwide offices around the globe including U.S. locations in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.; Indianapolis; Springfield, Miss.; Las Vegas; Parsippany, N.J.; Aberdeen, S.D.; Johnson City, Tenn.; and Redmond, Wash. International locations include: Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The event will include educational components on the WyndhamGreen program, access to eco-friendly...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—GE Consumer & Industrial is offering two new tools for establishing an incandescent-like mood with its more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps: dimmable 15-watt and 26-watt Spiral CFLs that can replace 60-watt and 100-watt incandescent bulbs used in table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and other screw-base fixtures. The new Spiral CFLs work with most standard dimmer switches and incandescent sockets, dimming to 20 percent of maximum light output. Each features a soft white color and 10,000-hour rated life. “Our dimmable CFLs offer features that users have enjoyed for years in incandescent bulbs, but with the outstanding energy efficiency, low...

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—As part of its ongoing program to “go green,” W.A.C. Lighting has introduced InvisiLED energy-saving display and accent lighting solutions using the latest LED technology. W.A.C. Lighting is a leading manufacturer of track, recessed, undercabinet, decorative and monorail lighting. Ideal for both new construction and retrofit projects, InvisiLED Tape Lights perform effectively for a broad range of applications including cove lighting, under counters and bars, toe kick spaces, display windows, refrigerated cases, trade show booths and architectural accents. The energy-efficient LED tape delivers a crisp, quality light while only using 2 watts per foot. It has a...

PEACHTREE CITY, GA.—Cooper Lighting, a division of Cooper Industries, Ltd., announces the addition of LED recessed lighting to its Halo downlighting product line. Designed for new construction and existing applications, the LED recessed lighting features a Halo LED module that installs into a new construction housing or into existing Halo and All-Pro housings. The new Halo LED downlight offers the benefits of energy savings, long life, improved quality of light, reduced maintenance, and may help to protect the environment by reducing the electrical load and lowering power plant emissions when compared to traditional light sources. Providing color quality with a...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Dave Rutherford, who has more than 10 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience and 15 years of foodservice sales experience, has become an independent representative for several different companies. His company, RDI Sales and Marketing, is specializing in companies that offer “green” products to the hospitality industry. “I started down this path years ago while I was the director of sales and marketing with Sunbeam Products,” Rutherford says. “We developed products that would save energy and show a return to the hotels. The focus now is not only on the hotel but the environment as well. The company...

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.—The GE outdoor LED area light from GE Lighting Systems, Inc.—the first of many outdoor LED lighting systems the company is introducing—will provide up to 60 percent energy savings, longer life and significantly improved light-level uniformity compared with traditional HID lamp sources and optical systems, such as a standard 400-watt quartz metal halide system. High performance LED systems from Lumination, LLC, also a GE Consumer & Industrial business, enable the GE LED outdoor area light to deliver excellent system and application efficiency with up to four times the recommended service interval of standard HID systems—a 50,000-hour planned service...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes HD Supply Hospitality Solutions as a Founding Sponsor. HD Supply is committed to doing business in a manner that is responsible to its associates, customers and the environment. With HD Supply’s new ideallygreen icon, the company has made it easy for its customers to identify environmentally preferable products throughout its catalogs and at www.hdsupplysolutions.com. Products marked with the ideallygreen icon can increase energy efficiency, help reduce water consumption, create a healthier indoor environment, facilitate waste reduction, and prevent hazardous materials from entering the environment. HD Supply is one of...

LEXINGTON, MASS.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. opened the eco-friendly doors of ELEMENT Lexington in Lexington, Mass. on July 1. ELEMENT is Starwood’s newest hotel concept and the first LEED-certified hotel chain in the country. ELEMENT Lexington is making its national debut, offering guests an entirely new extended stay experience that combines smart design, and nature-inspired and eco-friendly touches. Modern amenities range from complimentary WiFi to an international pantry stocked with everything from Korean kimchi soup to artisanal meats and cheeses. ELEMENT Lexington—the first ELEMENT hotel to open its doors to guests—will also serve as Starwood’s green trailblazer with...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—As consumers and businesses struggle with the myriad light bulb choices available to achieve energy efficiency and other objectives, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., has created an easy-to-read website designed to answer the basic question, “What is the best light bulb for me?” The new site—www.lutron.com/bulbs—compares standard-socket (E26) incandescent, screw-in compact fluorescent (CFL) and halogen bulbs. The bulbs are evaluated in a variety of categories, including efficiency, price, performance, controllability and quality of light. According to the site: • Incandescent bulbs provide rich, warm light quality, excellent color rendering and controllability, but are the least efficient. • Screw-in CFL bulbs are generally...