TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added Solar UV Solutions to its Green Product & Service Directory. As an authorized distributor of the SunQuest 250 solar thermal collector, Solar UV Solutions provides cost effective, energy efficient solutions for all commercial heating and hot water needs. The SunQuest 250 utilizes evacuated tube technology to convert UV rays into heat. Customers regularly save up to 50 percent of energy costs, and return on investment is generally within five years for all hot water applications and between five and 10 years for space heating applications. Call...

READING, PA.—Ambius, a global leader in interior landscaping, announced that Hilton San Francisco—Financial District has installed its innovative sustainable plant system, LivePicture, as part of the interior décor for the recently renovated property at the gateway to the world famous San Francisco Chinatown. The Hilton is using LivePicture for enhancing its meeting room and executive lobby areas.LivePicture, the latest offering in unique interior plant designs from Ambius, is designed to bridge the gap between plants and art. It is a living work of art that is created using a mix of textural foliage. Framed, it can be sized to...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes ConservCo as a Founding Sponsor. ConservCo has been providing hospitality clients with water conservation consulting since 2008. The company performs comprehensive facilities water audits and landscape irrigation audits for hotel and golf resort operators worldwide. ConservCo’s goal in conducting the audit is to help the facility save money by reducing waste and lowering water, energy, and sewer utility expenses.ConservCo’s approach includes a three part process:1)    Gain an in-depth understanding of the property’s unique water use practices and specific conservation goals;2)    Conduct a thorough water audit to determine...

CHICAGO—PortionPac Chemical Corp. announced that SFSPac Degreaser has met the criteria set forth by Green Seal to attain certification under the GS-37 standard. In meeting GS-37 (Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use), SFSPac Degreaser has surpassed the Standard’s strict environmental benchmarks and performs as well as or better than other cleaners in its class.“Our ultimate goal was to offer a complete food safety and sanitation program that is 100 percent Green Seal certified and EPA-registered,” said PortionPac President Burt Klein. “We have realized this goal with the certification of SFSPac Degreaser, providing a truly unique sanitation program to...

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Lighting Science Group Corp. and Intellectual Ventures’ Global Good announced a research agreement to collaborate on the development of next-generation light technologies for pest control. Based on Global Good’s photonic fence invention and Lighting Science’s light-control technology, the joint development effort will focus on field-ready prototypes that offer an environmentally-responsible alternative to chemical pesticides. Lighting Science plans to leverage this development effort to create a new company to bring highly efficient and effective pest control products for health, commercial and residential use around the world.Combining low-cost sensors and laser technology with software to identify, track, and eliminate insects,...

VERNON HILLS, ILL.—With the introduction of Meridian from Scotsman, foodservice operations now have a choice that incorporates the latest in ice- and water-dispensing technology. Meridian was developed with space, production and installation in mind and offers reliability, time-saving serviceability and convenient cleaning innovations in one all-new lineup.In addition to improving its ice- and water-dispensing equipment, Scotsman has optimized its popular nugget ice form. Meridian units will produce the new H2Nugget ice form which is easier to dispense while still being the softest, most chewable ice on the market. Additionally, the units’ large dispensing area offers more room for cups,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal, the nation’s first independent nonprofit certifier of sustainable products and services, has introduced a revised version of GS-42, its standard for Commercial and Institutional Cleaning Services.The revised standard has been reorganized to make the requirements needed for certification clearer and more streamlined. General criteria and leadership levels for the standard, however, have not changed. Any service currently certified does not need to meet additional requirements to maintain certification.Green Seal revised the standard to clarify requirements and ensure that they are consistent for all applicants, while upholding current leadership and protection levels. Additionally, criteria are refined to...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a Laundrylux case study to its website. The case study focuses on the Super 8 Ukiah and details owner Raakesh Patel’s decision to go with Electrolux washers with no upfront costs. There are no such costs because Patel opted for Laundrylux’s PLUS (Professional Laundry Utility Service) where he simply uses the equipment as needed and pays only for that usage. PLUS laundering becomes a utility service—just like water, gas, and electricity. Like any utility, one only pays for PLUS when it is used. There is no...

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Materials, LLC announced the introduction of Organic Blocks to the U.S. market. A wall décor alternative fashioned in molded cork, Organic Blocks bring dimension, depth and distinctive visual appeal to interior surfaces. Imported from Portugal, Organic Blocks convey a contemporary European design aesthetic in five high relief, geometric shapes, each pre-finished, infused with a selection of 10 vibrant, fashion-forward colors.“Designers and decorators mix and match Organic Blocks, experimenting with the shapes and colors, to craft captivating mosaic patterns,” said Pete Nichols, President, Sustainable Materials, LLC. “With Organic Blocks, they create unique wall designs that make a definitive...

EDMONTON, ALBERTA—Green Key Global, a leading international environmental certification body evaluating sustainable venue operations, has awarded the prestigious “5 Green Keys” rating to Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre (SCC). A leader in the conventions and meetings industry, SCC becomes the first conference venue in Canada to receive this prestigious rating.“We are very pleased to have the Shaw Conference Centre as a Green Key Meetings member and commend their dedication to sustainability,” said Tony Pollard, Managing Director of Green Key Global. “Being the first conference venue within Canada to receive a 5 key rating with the new Green Meetings standard demonstrates...