SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—Scottsdale-based Forever Resorts announced the development of the United States’ first LEED certified floating green building at Nevada’s Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina on Lake Mohave, just south of Las Vegas. Upon completion, the structure will be submitted to become the first floating LEED certified structure in the nation. A member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina recently registered the boat rental and marina service for construction. The details will be unveiled during the Green Marina Launch on May 29, at which time Forever Resorts will also announce and celebrate the partners helping to...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—Officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated they will recommend the adoption of a policy that allows suppliers to make valid claims of “environmental preferability” in relation to the marketing of disinfectants and sanitizers. This statement represents a significant departure from the Agency’s well entrenched policy that prohibits “green” claims to be made in conjunction with the promotion of any EPA registered product, including antimicrobial pesticides. Specifically, EPA officials are expected to recommend that the Agency allow suppliers to make factual claims of environmental preferability in conjunction with disinfectants and sanitizers, according to Marty Monell of EPA’s...

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE—Approximately 240 representatives of the hospitality industry in the New England area gathered at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, N.H., on Tuesday, April 14 for the first New England Eco Hospitality Expo. Almost 60 exhibitors participated in the event that was part conference, part expo. Educational sessions focused on topics ranging from green marketing to sustainable food purchasing. Exhibitors featured products such as guestroom energy management systems, window film and environmentally friendly amenities. A ribbon cutting ceremony featuring sponsors, representatives of the various New England state green lodging programs and other environmental officials opened the expo. In the...

CHICAGO—Chicago is recognized as one of the nation’s leading green cities so it is fitting that owners of the Hotel Felix, the city’s first hotel designed to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, announce the property’s opening during Earth Month. Originally designed in 1926 by Chicago architecture firm Levy and Klein, the former Hotel Wacker, a single room occupancy property, closed for redevelopment in 2007. Hotel Felix now provides an innovative, eco-friendly boutique hotel with efficiencies and key design elements that lessen the environmental impact of a newly...

BETHESDA, MD.—For the third straight year, Marriott International has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its Sustained Excellence Award. Among a long list of “green” accomplishments, the EPA noted Marriott’s energy reduction strategy, through which the company and its owners avoided $1.3 million in costs; decreased greenhouse gas emissions by 3 percent per available room; and increased its total number of Energy Star hotels to 275, the most of any hotel company. “Now, more than ever, helping to preserve the planet makes good business sense and is vital to the future of our company,” says Arne...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. announced that guest demand for newspaper delivery at more than 2,600 hotels in the United States has declined by about 25 percent. Marriott will become the first major hotel company to shift to a free newspaper delivery system based on customer preference, reducing waste at the same time. Beginning June 1, the company’s full-service hotels, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, will deliver newspapers to guest rooms based on customer preference. The company’s 30 million Marriott Rewards members will be able to update their online profiles and...

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.— The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, situated in the heart of Huntington Beach, Calif., recently opened “The Green Room,” a new concept in environmentally-friendly laundry facilities, available free to all guests of the hotel. This new self-serve facility provides guests the opportunity to pack less and wash their sun and sand-drenched beach wear and other items during their stay. It is one of many initiatives at the resort designed to contribute positively to the global environment. The Green Room is 100 percent environmentally friendly and all construction materials from floor to ceiling are made from post-consumer recycled materials....

CHICAGO—In addition to being the right thing to do for the environment, going green can also have financial benefits—something the nation’s nearly one million restaurant and foodservice outlets are increasingly exploring. The 2009 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (May 16 to 19 at McCormick Place in Chicago) will provide attendees with both inspiration and concrete tools to increase sustainability efforts, which in turn can save on operating costs, increase productivity, motivate staff and attract eco-conscious diners. “Saving money and cutting costs are crucial aspects of running a business in this current economic environment, and going green can accomplish both,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Believe it or not, guestroom energy management systems have been around for almost 30 years now. According to Lodging Technology, it originated infrared occupancy sensor-based hotel energy conservation in 1980. It is only in the past few years, however, that wireless versions of the many hard-wired systems on the market have become available. Some vendors are just rolling out their wireless offerings. No two wireless systems are exactly the same but they all rely on thermostats, motion and/or passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensors, along with door switches and transceivers/controllers to power down heating and cooling when guests have...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—During the month of April, children across the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America are encouraging their communities and each other to collect as many recyclable bottles and cans as possible to raise money for essential school and youth community programs. This school recycling fundraiser—appropriately named “Cans and Bottles for a Cause” is part of the award-winning Doubletree Hotels Teaching Kids to CARE community outreach program, which aims to raise awareness about the rewards of environmental consciousness in everyday life by fostering a sense of activism, empowerment and reward. The five schools or youth organizations that...