LOS ANGELES—In a major step toward sustainability, USC Hotel has achieved certification from the nonprofit Green Seal organization, a national leader in setting environmental standards. To earn certification, the hotel underwent a full year of an in-depth audit of purchasing records, practices and on-site inspections to meet Green Seal’s GS-33 green lodging standard. “We want to be an example of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry,” said Dirk de Jong, Executive Director of USC Hospitality and USC Hotel. “Traditional hospitality practices use a lot of resources and materials and generate substantial waste. When we rebranded the property as the USC Hotel a year...

ATLANTA—LG Hausys’ HI-MACS solid surface is introducing 10 new colors across its Aurora and Terrazzo collections. Aurora’s calming palette and Terrazzo’s nostalgic designs draw inspiration from nature to create a serene backdrop. The new colors reflect the latest industry trends and provide versatile design options for corporate, education, healthcare and hospitality environments. The Aurora Collection is inspired by Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights) and embodies a low-contrast, organic swirling movement throughout its designs. Blanc is a white marble with subtle and soothing gray veining, while Pavia’s pristine soft-white offers elegance with translucent properties. Warm tones shine through Cream with subtle...

REDWOOD CITY, CALIF.— In conjunction with its participation at StartUpgrind Global Conference in Silicon Valley, Wayaj relaunched its website to reflect a new focus on providing an increasing suite of sustainable travel tools. Wayaj’s mission is to offer information and means aimed at helping travelers make responsible choices in the context of the fight against climate change.  ’s site and apps (iOS and Android) currently feature: advanced travel carbon footprint calculator; carbon footprint offsetting with a choice of projects certified by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); comprehensive and scientific sustainability hotel rating aligned with the United Nations’...

WILMINGTON, MASS.—In the heart of the fashionable Garment District in New York City, LEDVANCE LLC, the makers of SYLVANIA general lighting, announced its new SYLVANIA Natural Series of LED lighting products with TruWave Technology. This LED portfolio offers the best alternative to natural light by mimicking the natural light spectrum to deliver Natural Light for Natural Living. In addition to supporting an improved sleep/wake cycle, this robust industry-first LED portfolio delivers superior dimming and less intense blue light for reduced eye strain. It also helps you see realistic vivid colors and enhance your color experience with high CRI and...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Santa Cruz-based startup Steeped, Inc. has launched its Steeped Coffee brewing method to serious coffee drinkers across the nation. Brewed like tea, Steeped Coffee’s nitro sealed Steeped Bags, along with their packaging made using renewable and compostable materials, achieve the unthinkable: freshly ground specialty coffee in a single serving. That’s why it earned the “Best New Product” award for their innovative packaging at the recent Specialty Coffee Expo. Steeped Coffee launched when serial entrepreneur and coffee lover Josh Wilbur decided to combine the convenience of a single-serving brew method with the premium quality of ethically sourced coffee. Wilbur...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added a Hotel Emporium video to the Vendor Videos section of its website. Hotel Emporium has just introduced Eco Pod by Terra Green, sustainable innovation giving hotels worldwide a one-stop solution to face plastic waste and bacteria contamination arising from bulk liquid dispensers. The packaging is fully compostable with bamboo, sugarcane, and wood fibers, plus soy-based ink printing. It is a waste stackable product containing up to four uses, ensuring a bacteria-free environment and easy disposal. It is a water-activated, powder-based amenity collection allowing lighter transportation and lower carbon footprint. Just add water to...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, food safety and public health technologies and services, has been named to the Water Security List, with an A rating by CDP, the nonprofit global environmental disclosure platform. This year’s CDP Water Security A List recognized 71 companies globally for their sustainable water management initiatives. “Ecolab’s inclusion on the A List is recognition of our work to advance sustainable and strategic water management with our customers and in our own operations,” said Emilio Tenuta, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab. “As we enter this new decade, we are expanding our capabilities to...

CALHOUN, GA.—Owls have captured the imagination of humankind for centuries. Designed by Jason F. McLennan in collaboration with Mohawk Group, the Owls collection reinterprets the essence of these North American birds of prey through color and patterning. Inspired by their plumage, this distinctive, yet versatile commercial carpet plank features mottled shades of black, brown, tan and grey that take flight in contract interiors. A stylized visual and simple texture create intriguing, coordinating combinations across two 12" x 36" patterns: Feather and Flight. “When Mohawk Group approached me to do a sequel to Lichen, we had to think about what would have a...

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—Adding to a comprehensive portfolio of LED products that support California Title 24 residential lighting applications, MaxLite introduces new JA8 listed G9 base lamps for use in miniature decorative luminaires. Available in 2700K and 3000K color temperatures, MaxLite G9 base lamps consume just four watts of power and emit 400 lumens of light (an output equivalent to that of a 40-watt incandescent bulb). UL listed, enclosed-rated and dimmable, the lamps measure approximately two inches long, making them ideal replacements for halogen bulbs in chandeliers, bath bars, wall sconces and other decorative luminaires. These price-effective miniature LED lamps are...

LAS VEGAS—DUX, Swedish luxury bedmaker, launched its new DUX Element bed with the DUX Smart Module at the Consumer Electronics Show last month (CES) in Las Vegas. DUX Beds are hand-crafted to provide unparalleled sleeping conditions that are based on decades of research and testing. At CES 2020, DUX merged its high-performance sleeping system and hand-crafted headboards with smart room technology to enable users to create the ultimate sleeping environment. The DUX Element features an installed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled speaker—the DUX Smart Module—that is Amazon Alexa compatible. Through the system, users have access to their room’s IOT components that are...