If you are planning to implement or beef up a sustainability program, attending a trade show geared toward hospitality products can be one of the wisest things you can do. I attended HX: The Hotel Experience and Boutique Design New York (BDNY) this past week and was overwhelmed by the number of green products and services available to hoteliers—most of which can lead to not only environmental savings but financial savings as well.
Granted, HX: The Hotel Experience is quite small in size compared to what it once was as the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show. Yet, there was a high proportion of what I consider to be green exhibitors. It would be impossible to mention all of the companies in attendance but I will highlight some of the products I saw as new and innovative.
Eco Supreme introduced bed sheets, pillow cases, blankets, towels and other items made from corn fibers. According to the company, drying time is reduced by 59 percent. The company has an office in New York.
Xeros introduced the Xeros SM35, a new 35lb/16kg capacity near waterless laundry system. Utilizing the same patented polymer cleaning technology as the Xeros SMV90 Commercial Washer, the Xeros SM35 reduces water consumption by up to 80 percent, and reduces energy and detergent usage by up to 50 percent.
Use of Reclaimed Material
Davis Crates displayed many examples of furniture pieces made from crates. In a similar vein, Rustbelt Reclamation featured furniture made from reclaimed wood. CounterEvolution offered different types of furniture made from reclaimed bowling lanes.
GreenWalls, LLC featured its ASCEND System. It allows one to build a green wall using easy-to-maintain modules. Garden on the Wall featured its wall garden system that utilizes preserved plants and foliage that never needs watering.
AeraMax Professional introduced its line of commercial-grade, wall-mounted air purifiers that clean the air in four steps.
SYNLawn featured artificial landscape grass for commercial applications. The grass eliminates the need for lawn watering.
OMI Industries was at the show to demonstrate its Fresh Wave IAQ M130 Odor Doc machine. It dispurses “dry” Fresh Wave IAQ Air & Surface Liquid, a non-toxic odor eliminator. BG Hygienics featured its BGT2010 Room Deodorization and Disinfection System. According to the company, the BGT2010 uses patented technology that blends O3 to disinfect and deodorize a typical hotel room in under 30 minutes.
Gate House Furniture featured ECO Poly furniture and accessories made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Made for use in a variety of settings—guestrooms, bathrooms and food service—the collection includes luggage racks, bar stands, serving trays, bathroom amenities and food service risers and tray stands.
Textile Innovations
In2green, maker of throws and bed scarves and known for their use of recycled yarns, announced a collaboration with Stacy Garcia, Inc. that will result in a new line made with a recycled cotton blend as well as 100 percent recycled polyester.
The Water Scrooge exhibited several water-saving products including shower regulators that are installed behind the shower wall and faucet regulators that cannot be removed by a guest.
LATHER unveiled its baobab & shea collection—amenities that include extracts from Africa’s baobab and shea trees. The harvesting of both of these crops promotes the well-being of women and their communities.
Carrier Enterprise featured its ETAC II by Gree. The PTAC is designed to let guests stay cool and comfortable, while providing significant savings in the form of lower energy costs and reduced maintenance.
Intelligent Blends was at HX for the first time with its single-serve coffee, iced and hot tea, hot chocolate, and ciders. Unique to the company is its single-serve pods that are recyclable thanks to a proprietary blend of #5 Recyclable Polypropylene along with other eco-friendly materials.
National Car Charging was a repeat exhibitor with its collection of electric vehicle charging stations.
A Robot That Cleans
Maidbot previewed Rosie, its robotic vacuum that reduces housekeeper workload and injury potential.
Gilchrist & Soames announced that they will be entering the luxury hotel linens and bathroom accessories markets. Inspired by the luxurious fabrics found in the finest European ateliers, the Modal/Cotton Collection is crafted with an exclusive blend of fibers. Environmentally-friendly Modal is made from beechwood, a resource that is not only luxurious but also sustainable.
Club Car introduced its new Carryall 700 Housekeeping Vehicle. The electric vehicle was designed in response to feedback from housekeepers at premium resorts. It carries two people and their gear and features a bundle of accessories based on buying patterns of resort customers.
Reneotech Inc. featured its EcoRaider Insect Killer, a natural bio-insecticide that is for use in hotel and hospitality environments as it kills bed bugs, ants and other crawling insects on contact.
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