MEMPHIS, TENN.—FedEx Corp. announced the online release of its 2016 Global Citizenship Report (GCR), which details the company’s commitment to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways. The report includes annual updates on the company’s environmental, community and economic development initiatives.Among the highlights of this report, FedEx Express announced that it has surpassed its goal to boost vehicle fuel efficiency by 30 percent—some five years early. The company achieved the goal through its “Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize” strategy: •    Reduce overall mileage by optimizing routes;•    Replace vehicles with more efficient models; and•    Revolutionize the vehicle fleet with alternative fuel vehicles. In...

NORTH WALPOLE, N.H.—Len-Tex, a leading manufacturer of contract wallcoverings, announces the introduction of Celeste, a Mylar-printed design. Styled with layers of painterly horizontal bands on a mylar surface, Celeste creates an airy, ethereal quality. The opaque bands printed on metallized film provide a striking contrast of matte and shine. This signature design offers a handcrafted look and a luminous glow with delicate reflectivity. Colors range from an alluring white to soft or radiant metal tones.This new Mylar design incorporates the Len-Tex Clean Vinyl Technology, a phthalate-free construction, eliminating health risks and contributing to cleaner indoor air.The complete selection of...

GREENVILLE, S.C.—As part of a $1 billion investment designed to improve its entire portfolio of 629 properties, Extended Stay America (ESA) recently began improving the exterior lighting at many of its facilities. From a lighting perspective, the technology used to illuminate the buildings, parking lots and common areas were outdated by almost 20 years. Existing light levels were not acceptable and maintenance costs were unsustainable.The guiding principle of the initiative was to “improve the guest experience,” and the initial launch focused on external aesthetics. ESA aspires for its guests to feel relaxed in a comfortable and affordable hotel. The...

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—Mexico’s Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit have achieved Gold and Silver Status, respectively, through EarthCheck. EarthCheck, a leading organization in the certification of sustainable tourism, has distinguished the resorts for their pioneering eco-friendly methods.Surrounded by 206 acres of jungle, mangroves and freshwater cenotes, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is committed to implementing sustainable practices. It is also meticulously designed to exist harmoniously with its fragile environment, including more than 18,000 trees which were reforested after its construction. The property reduces its dependence on local and country-wide energy sources with co-generation...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes GreenEarth Cleaning as a Founding Sponsor. GreenEarth Cleaning began in 1999 as an environmentally non-toxic alternative for the dry cleaning industry. It has now become the industry’s largest brand with over 6,000 points of service in 25 countries.Because the GreenEarth dry cleaning technology uses liquid silicone as its dry cleaning fluid, there are no longer any environmental damages associated with dry cleaning on the premises. Within the hospitality industry, the GreenEarth dry cleaning process has been adopted by numerous high-end properties in several countries, including the United...

DENVER—Solar Sphere, Inc. announced that the company has signed a new nationwide solar lighting distribution agreement with solartonic, llc. “Solar Sphere is excited to announce the addition of the award-winning solarlume solar street and parking lot lights to our portfolio,” said Russell Shriver, President for Solar Sphere, Inc. “This expanded offering will provide Solar Sphere customers with the option of a new vertically pole-integrated solar module that dramatically changes the appearance and improves the performance of traditional solar street lights.”solartonic’s solarlume vertically integrated poles are versatile, aerodynamic, adaptable and reliable with many applications. These products will give Solar Sphere,...

ODESSA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Odessa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes HotSpot Energy Inc./ARAMA as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The ARAMA PTAC (PTHP) uses a state-of-the-art Mitsubishi High-SEER energy saving DC Inverter compressor to save 35 percent or more in energy costs. The Mitsubishi DC Inverter variable speed compressor technology allows the ARAMA units to accurately match their capacity to the load, avoiding the compressor on/off cycle. The DC Inverter compressor is also much quieter. The units need no drain, have fresh air option, and they offer a wide variety of control options including a...

GRANT, MICH.—In response to customer preferences, Porous Pave, Inc. has changed the standard size range of the recycled rubber chips in its surfacing material from 1/4-3/8 inch to 1/8-1/4 inch. The smaller, fine-cut rubber chips provide a more refined, smoother paved surface. An eco-friendly green building material made in the U.S.A., Porous Pave is a highly porous, durable, and flexible pour-in-place permeable paving product. The XL formulation consists of 50 percent rubber chips and 50 percent stone aggregate with a moisture-cured, liquid binder. The XLS formulation is made with 100 percent rubber chips.“We saw the need for a smoother...

GLENDALE, ARIZ.—Barron Lighting Group, the originator of the LED exit sign and brands such as Exitronix, Trace*Lite, IGS and specialtyLED, announces the newest addition to its Exitronix VEX-WP series: the VEX-WPC. This wet location all-LED exit and emergency combo is an ideal solution for wet applications and extreme cold conditions with the optional internal battery heater.The long life, energy-saving all-LED exit and emergency combo is engineered to perform in the most extreme environments with such features as adjustable LED lamp heads with optimal center-to-center spacing, an impact-resistant polycarbonate shield, and UV stabilized, impact and corrosion-resistant ABS plastic enclosure with...

OJAI, CALIF.—SimpliPhi Power and California Solar Electric have completed the second phase of an off-grid solar plus storage installation at the Taft Botanical Gardens in Ojai, Calif, which are part of an eco resort owned by the nonprofit Conservation Endowment Fund. The second phase of the installation included an additional eight PHI2.6 kWh batteries (doubling the PHI power storage), providing enough extra power capacity to run electrical loads well into the night without utilizing a generator for a total of 41.6 kWh of stored PV power.Taft Gardens was challenged to preserve the pristine natural environment of the gardens while...