WASHINGTON, D.C.—Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in Mexico is the first Central American destination to complete the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) GSTC Early Adopters Program to test its new Criteria and Indicators for Destinations, under the scope of the GSTC’s Destination Partner Program in collaboration with Sustainable Travel International (STI).Located in central Mexico, Sierra Gorda is one of the most eco-diverse protected areas recognized under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program, which promotes sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. The destination’s tourism assets encompass natural, scenic, and cultural richness, with sweeping landscapes, waterfalls, rivers, wildlife...

SHELTON, CONN.—Continuing efforts to build its iCompli sustainability assurance services, BPA Worldwide has named Joel Charron as Vice President, Sustainability Assurance. He will be based in Houston. In his new position, Charron will have direct responsibility for marketing and business development for iCompli’s suite of sustainability assurance services related to reporting in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines. “Joel’s wide-ranging experience and industry knowledge in regards to sustainability reporting will be a great benefit to BPA,” noted Glenn Hansen, BPA President and CEO. “Given his previous efforts relating to reporting frameworks (including GRI 3.1 and G4), corporate social responsibility...

COWPENS, S.C.—Mermet USA introduces its new T Screen with KOOLBLACK Technology high-performance shade fabrics. T Screen fabrics with KOOLBLACK Technology combine the superior heat reflectivity of a white fabric with the glare control and crisp-view through of a dark-colored fabric.  Designed to provide architects, designers and building owners a leading-edge roller shade fabric that contributes to more comfortable buildings, T Screen with KOOLBLACK Technology provides superior thermal comfort and excellent natural daylighting for window shade applications. This fabric extends Mermet’s collection of advanced roller-shade fabrics. Key features of T Screen fabrics with KOOLBLACK Technology include: •    Improved heat reflection with KOOLBLACK...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes The Coconut Group as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Coconut Group is a direct, bulk supplier of lamp oil and tiki torch fuel to the hospitality industry. The company specializes in unique, high-quality fuels which translate into superior performance and cost savings. The Coconut Group’s Tiki Torch Fuel is odorless and produces 350 percent less smoke and soot. Eco-Friendly, Safe & Green Fuel is smoke-free and provides odorless burning. The company offers two clean-burning lamp oils; one is paraffin based, the other synthetic.The Coconut...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Commercial Zone, a division of retail marketing company DCI-Artform, will launch its newest product line, Leafview, at the 2014 HD Expo in Las Vegas. The event runs from May 14 to 16.Leafview are environmentally friendly trash receptacles with contemporary designs that complement any décor for high-profile areas. The products feature disposal areas on both sides of their stainless steel bodies, and are designed to withstand various weather climates.“The appearance and cleanliness of a facility, such as a hotel, hospital or retail store, is very essential to not only attracting customers, but retaining customers,” said Sandi Dzirbik, Director of...

CONCORD, N.C.—America’s largest custom coffee roaster, S&D Coffee & Tea, has released its first Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report detailing the company’s core commitments, current initiatives, and forthcoming goals. The benchmark report was released to coincide with the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Symposium and Exposition held last month in Seattle.“S&D has, from its inception, placed a high value on efficiency, accountability, and positive partnerships,” says Vice President of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives Tracy Ging. “We have now spelled out a specific, three-year strategy of intentional efforts to increase our contributions to sustainability, and we’re looking forward to...

DURHAM, N.C.—Cree, Inc. introduces a series of LED T8 replacement tubes that gives commercial lighting users reasons to switch to LED lighting and stop using linear fluorescent tubes. The Cree LED T8 Series offers 30 percent energy savings and near-universal driver compatibility. The Cree LED T8 Series is eligible for utility rebates.“With the Cree LED T8 Series, customers no longer have to accept outdated fluorescent technology as their only choice,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree Chairman and CEO. “Similar to what we’ve achieved with the Cree LED Bulb in the residential market, the Cree LED T8 Series is revolutionizing the...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—WattStopper, a leader in energy-efficient lighting controls, announced expansion of its Birmingham, Ala., office, adding new positions to support commercial building control projects throughout the United States and Canada. The added staff includes a newly formed Customer Care group and expansion of the Technical Services Group with new project managers, application engineers, and drafters. The expansion solidifies the company’s commitment to position the Birmingham office as a hub for applications and technical support for design professionals specializing in advanced lighting control projects for commercial buildings. “As controls projects continue to grow in importance, they also exhibit new...

LAS VEGAS—Dometic Lodging, a division of Dometic Group, a global provider of leisure products for the lodging, marine, truck, caravan, motor home and automotive markets, announced the products it will be exhibiting at HD Expo, a hospitality design event set for May 14 to 16 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. At the show, Dometic will exhibit refrigerators, refreshment centers, minibars and safes that incorporate Dometic’s latest design innovations to complement guestroom décor and help hotel chains enhance the guest experience at their hotels. “All of the products we will be showing at HD Expo, both refrigeration and safes, create an...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—T&S Brass announces its new Pre-Rinse Swivel Product #018200-40. The only product of its kind, the pre-rinse swivel fits between the spray handle and the hose of a pre-rinse spray unit (PRSU) and is available both as a separate component for retrofit installations, or factory installed on select T&S pre-rinse units and spray assemblies. The T&S pre-rinse swivel fits and functions on all T&S and Equip pre-rinse units, and on those of many other manufacturers’ models.“We asked ourselves how we could improve the pre-rinse spray unit, a product invented by T&S almost seventy years ago that is...