If you run a foodservice operation at your hotel, and yes that includes breakfast, you should pay attention to the many green products that were featured at this year’s National Restaurant Association Show. The list of exhibitors can be found here. It will take you some time to sift through the list of more than 1,700 companies but the time will be well spent given the opportunities to reduce energy, water, and waste at your hotel—and better protect yourself and your employees. Plus, the list can be sorted in different ways—by pavilions (Organic & Natural) for example, or by diverse businesses (one example being Woman-Owned Business).
I randomly chose 10 companies from the list to give you an example of the types of innovations that were found at the show.
Enviro Sip Straw featured its BOSS straws that resist collapsing, shredding, or becoming soggy for more than 24 hours. The straws are made from 100 percent recyclable paper and food-grade, biodegradable binding.
Better Earth LLC displayed its wide range of food packaging products, for serving or to-go, made from materials ranging from bamboo to sugarcane to agricultural fibers.
Smart Buffet Ware was on hand with its induction systems that save 96 percent over the cost of canned fuel and 69 percent over the cost of electric heaters.
Distant Lands Coffee featured its coffee that can be private branded to meet “your taste.” Says the company, “Our roots in specialty coffee run deep. In 1968 our founder, William McAlpin, began growing coffee at Hacienda La Minita, his family farm in Costa Rica. His work in pioneering sustainable coffee production continues to set the industry standard.”
Altitude Water demonstrated its Atmospheric Water Generators. The machines extract moisture from the air and fully replace the need for bottled water or faucet water purifiers.
Sanitizing Door Handles
OpenClean Technologies, a division of Altitude Medical Inc., exhibited its sanitizer systems for restroom doors and other critical points of contamination. OpenClean makes door handles with integrated door-mounted dispensing including real-time monitoring systems that allow users to sanitize their hands as they leave the restroom.
Therma demonstrated its remote temperature monitoring products that help protect inventory 24/7 from equipment failures, power outages, and human error. With Therma’s app, you can receive alerts and view temperature data on-the-go. Therma helps to prevent food waste and emergency breakdowns.
ChargeNet featured its electric vehicle charging solutions for restaurant operators. By becoming a partner with ChargeNet, a restaurant can boost brand image, earn passive income, lower operating costs by 20 to 30 percent each month, and win more customers.
Beddingo showed its time-saving bedding that is easy to change thanks to an elastic band that is placed on the mattress only before the first use. After the band is on the mattress, there’s no need to lift the mattress ever again—saving housekeepers from repetitive-use injuries. Beddingo sheets attach and detach easily by hook and loop fasteners that are sewn to its corners. The sheets never pop off the mattress.
Extreme Microbial Technologies offered its MAK-Inline. It is designed to easily integrate with an existing heating and air conditioning system. It actively distributes Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma into the air and onto surfaces to reduce bacteria, viruses, molds, mildew, fungi, VOC’s (which cause odors) and other contaminants. It is available in a variety of sizes.
These companies are just a small sample of those who were at the show with eco-sensitive solutions for hoteliers and restaurateurs. There were an especially large number of exhibitors offering non-plastic, non-polystyrene, biodegradable food packaging options.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 21,920 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each week, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2022?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2022. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2022 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 21,920. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail greenlodgingnews@gmail.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,750 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 986 Facebook likes.
As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
