ROANOKE, VA.—Bay Gardens Resorts, St. Lucia, announced that three of its properties, Bay Gardens Beach Resort, Bay Gardens Inn, and Bay Gardens Hotel have been awarded the prestigious Green Globe Gold Certified designation. Green Globe is a hospitality focused sustainability certification. Gold level certification requires that properties be “certified” five consecutive years with continuous improvement in audit scores. Located on St. Lucia’s Rodney Bay, Bay Gardens Resorts earned Green Globe Gold Certification through such initiatives as installation of LED lighting, removal of single use plastics, and installation of GEM Link Wireless occupancy sensors from Lodging Technology in all guestrooms to...

DENVER—Having eliminated over 125 million plastic water bottles since its launch and on target to hit one billion bottles saved by 2022, FloWater announced its ranking in the top 500 on the annual Inc. 5000 list. The Inc. 5000 is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Patagonia, Under Armour, Microsoft, Cliff Bar, Oracle, Grubhub, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, GoPro, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the...

ELKHART, IND.—Dometic received the “Best Brand of the Year 2019” and “Best Product 2019” awards for their minibars. These awards are some of the highest awards presented as part of the worldwide innovation prize for brand quality, “Plus X Award.” With expert international and independent jurors from more than 80 industries, 23 competent strategic partners and more than 700 participating international brands, the Plus X Award is the world’s largest innovation award. It honors brands for being industry leaders with the quality and innovation of their products. The jury is made up of specialty editors, designers and industry experts who subject...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Each year, Valley Forge Fabrics commits to making determined efforts to continue their strong heritage of giving back to the community. This year, they are partnering with JARC Florida to be able to assist those in their community with disabilities. JARC is an agency that, for the past 30 years, has focused on bringing purpose, dignity and a sense of belonging to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They provide vocational skills training and coaching onsite for their members and Valley Forge will join other local companies such as Burlington, Mizner Country Club, Cosmetic Solutions, Cheesecake Factory, TJ...

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND—Nespresso is partnering with Swedish bike brand Vélosophy to produce a stylish bicycle made from recycled aluminum coffee capsules, demonstrating both brands’ commitment to a circular economy. One thousand limited edition RE:CYCLE bikes made from over 300,000 recycled Nespresso Arpeggio capsules have been available from August 12, sold exclusively on Vélosophy’s ecommerce platform velosophy.cc. Aluminum is one of the world’s most valuable resources, because it can be re-melted and reused infinitely. Designed to highlight the potential of recycling Nespresso’s aluminum capsules, RE:CYCLE encourages consumers to consider how they can make a positive impact. Sustainability & Style Meet Jean-Marc Duvoisin, CEO of Nespresso, said:...

MUSKEGON, MICH.—EarthTronics, dedicated to developing innovative energy-saving lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact, introduces its new Slim LED Recessed Downlight Series designed for energy efficiency and easy installation in finished drywall and architectural tile ceiling spaces with tight space tolerances for hospitals, hotels, long-term care facilities, schools, office buildings and other commercial and residential applications. Rated for wet locations, the new LED series is ideal for high humidity areas and around bathroom showers. The 4-inch and 6-inch slim recessed downlights have an integrated switch allowing for the selection of one of five colors at the time...

AIKEN, S.C.—For restaurateurs Chris and Jacquelyn Meyer, becoming one of the first businesses in Boulder, Colo., to divert more than 95 percent of potential waste into compost or recyclables is something they are extremely proud of. After the couple bought The Buff in 1995, the college town restaurant and bar quickly became a Boulder institution known citywide for good food, great Bloody Mary’s and exceptional customer service. What patrons may not know about The Buff is just how strong the owners’ commitment is to the environment. To elevate its sustainable business practices even more, the Meyers are using 100...

BREA, CALIF.—UMA Solar and Techno-Solis were awarded the first OG-400 certifications for their solar swimming pool water heating systems from the Solar Rating & Certification Corp. (ICC-SRCC). They are the first manufacturers to complete the new program. The certification proves compliance with the ICC 902/APSP 902/SRCC 400 Solar Pool and Spa Heating System Standard. Developed in conjunction with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (formerly The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals), the ANSI-approved solar pool and spa heating system standard addresses minimum requirements for solar water heating systems designed for and installed in residential and commercial swimming pools and...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Leading global innovation company with textile, specialty chemical and floor covering manufacturing expertise, Milliken & Company’s Specialty Interiors business has sought and earned the Association for Contract Textiles (ACT) Facts certification. The Facts certification process analyzes eight core areas—fiber sourcing, safety of materials, water conservation and water quality, energy, recycling practices, air quality in manufacturing and social accountability—to determine whether a textile has met NSF/ANSI 336, a multi-attribute sustainability standard that evaluates products for environmental, economic and social attributes. This certification gives purchasers and specifiers confidence in the sustainability of and responsible practices involved in the manufacture of textile products. The...

JACKSON, MICH.—Consumers Energy announced that it has approved over 125 rebates for electric vehicle charging stations for drivers across Michigan as the energy provider powers up a new effort to help the next generation of vehicles get into gear. Those include 92 rebates, worth $5,000 apiece, that Consumers Energy’s PowerMIDrive program is providing for chargers at workplaces and in public locations. The rebate’s recipients will install the charging stations throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Public charging stations in the following counties have received the most rebates so far: Kent (11), Jackson (8), Calhoun (7), Saginaw (5), Kalamazoo (4), Muskegon (4), Charlevoix...