CLEVELAND, OHIO—GE Consumer & Industrial introduces its new HIR Plus lamp. The company says it is the highest energy efficient PAR 38 in the marketplace as measured by lumens per watt (LPW). A new instrument for retailers and other commercial end–users fighting to reduce energy wastefulness—available in 45–, 48–, 54–, 60–, 67– and 83–watt spots and floods—the HIR Plus is designed to replace higher wattage, standard PAR 38 lamps while delivering as much as a 54 percent reduction in energy costs. Because the new GE lamps offer over two times the rated life of standard halogen lamps (4,200 hours...

NATIONAL REPORT—Operating a spa in an environmentally responsible manner requires a lot more than using natural personal care products. Yes, offering such treatments is smart and provides a competitive advantage, but it is just a small part of running a “green” operation. How you manage water, lighting, heating and cooling, cleaning, purchasing, and even cooking is much more important. What those who have implemented green programs have discovered is that they need not sacrifice luxury—or profits—for sustainability. To compete with leaders such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa and others that operate green spas,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News welcomes Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. as a Founding Sponsor. Lutron is widely respected for engineering high-quality light control systems that deliver the right ambience for a hotel property. At Lutron, the goal always has been to provide the most appropriate light control solutions for single guestrooms or entire properties—whether new construction or those undergoing renovation. Less well known is that Lutron control solutions save a significant amount of energy, and can assist a building in receiving up to 20 points in four out of five categories required for LEED-NC certification. Lighting is often the largest power...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Some of the world’s leading technology companies gathered here June 25-28 at HITEC to unveil their latest products and chat about their plans for the coming year. The hub of activity at the trade show and conference was the Guestroom 2010 exhibit, where one could find everything from energy-efficient hair dryers to recyclable carpet. Elsewhere on the show floor, companies displayed new, state-of-the-art environmental systems. The following are highlights from Guestroom 2010: Andis Co. featured its fast-drying Quiet Ionic Lighted Hair Dryer. It generates negative ions that dry hair faster by breaking up water molecules. Faster drying time means less...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—TCP’s RECYCLEPAK will encourage consumers to return used light bulbs to home improvement stores, designated city buildings and schools, and have them sent to a recycling facility. “All CFLs must contain small amounts of mercury in order to glow and give light,” says Ellis Yan, president and CEO, TCP, Inc. “Even with the trace amounts of mercury, which is roughly equivalent to the tip of a ballpoint pen, they should be recycled. The recycling program we developed makes it easy for consumers to drop off a CFL at a big box retailer, city hall, or even their children’s...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—A green facility since it opened in 1987, the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre (VCEC) is on track to triple its size in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The addition to the existing building will be a dramatic one and will include a six-acre green “living” roof, seawater heating and cooling, a fish habitat built into the building’s foundation, and an on-site water treatment facility. Forty percent of the addition will sit over the water, creating a striking contrast to the famous fabric roof sails that are part of the original building. According to Catherine Wong, vice president...

SCHILLER PARK, ILL.—Eclipse Lighting introduces its new Green Series fixtures. All 20 listed styles in the Green Series have earned the Energy Star. In addition, these energy efficient fixtures meet California’s Title 24. Replacing wasteful incandescent lighting with the Green Series compact fluorescent fixtures can abate a significant amount of pollution. During the 10,000-hour life of just one bulb, once can achieve the following: • Eliminate nearly 574 pounds of CO2 emissions—a major source of global warming; • Eliminate nearly 4.2 pounds of SO2 emissions—a cause of smog and acid rain; and • Eliminate nearly 2.7 pounds...

Motel 6’s announcement last week that it will roll out a fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program throughout its almost 900 properties was an important step that other companies should emulate. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which offer so many benefits, also include mercury, a hazardous substance. Not disposed of properly, liquid mercury quickly turns into a vapor that can be inhaled. Long-term exposure to it can damage the nervous system, the kidneys, lungs and other organs. Batteries are used throughout a hotel in items such as door locks, TV remotes and myriad other places. They consist of...

DALLAS—Motel 6, the largest corporately owned and operated hotel chain in North America, announces the rollout of the first national fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program within the hospitality industry. Motel 6, with nearly 900 properties across the country, is the first chain to implement this type of program without a federal mandate. The Motel 6 Fluorescent Light Bulb and Battery Recycling Program will be rolled out regionally over a six-month period, with complete implementation expected by the end of 2007. This recycling policy is a continuation of Accor’s Earth Guest initiatives that demonstrate Accor North America’s...

DANVERS, MASS.—At a time when many are searching for a convenient compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) recycling option, North American lighting leader Osram Sylvania has unveiled two CFL recycling options: the MiniPak CFL mail-back recycling kit, and the Community Pail RecyclePak. “It’s exciting to be the first lighting manufacturer to offer all of our customers a recycling solution,” says Jennifer Dolin, environmental marketing manager, Osram Sylvania. “With recycling and disposal options available in only a few communities, our MiniPak and Community Pail options allow consumers and small communities everywhere to recycle their spent lamps easily. Simply purchase the pre-labeled...