WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal invites the public to participate in the development of proposed revisions to the Green Seal Standard for Hotels and Lodging Properties (GS-33). The goals of the revision are to: ensure that the requirements are clear and equitable to all applicants, while upholding leadership and protection levels; ensure that the criteria are defined precisely in order to minimize the need for interpretation; modify requirements where necessary, so that they are practical to review and enforce; update the standard to reflect innovations and current practices in the hospitality industry; and streamline the certification review process, where possible. The...

PASO ROBLES, CALIF.—Nature’s Reward, a new line of compostable bags manufactured and marketed by Lindamar Industries, Inc., an ISO 9001-2008 certified, California-based plastic packaging manufacturer, recently received the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) ASTM-D6400 certification, proving 100 percent biodegradability.BPI, a national authority on approved biodegradable products in organics diversion programs, tests compostable products in approved, independent labs to verify that they meet certain standards developed by leading scientists, resin producers and the composting industry. These standards—American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6400 and D6868—“scientifically prove a material will biodegrade, leaving no persistent synthetic residues,” according to the association.BPI granted...

BOURNE, MASS.—Onset, a leader in data loggers, announced the HOBO kWh Monitoring Kit, a low-cost, portable system for measuring and recording energy consumption in buildings. The new kit, which bundles a matchbox-sized HOBO State data logger with Continental Control System’s revenue-grade kWh and current sensors, gives energy engineers, auditors, building commissioners, and others a simple and cost-effective way to log building electric use at a fraction of the cost of meter-based solutions.The kit provides rapid deployment and high accuracy measurements, and is ideal for use in commercial, industrial, and residential applications. Key advantages include:•    Flexibility to log up to...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Orchard Hotel, one of San Francisco’s most stylish, green hotels, is now offering its guests an allergy-friendly option with 10 new hypoallergenic rooms by PURE Solutions.PURE Rooms are treated according to a patented seven-step process that kills and protects against 98 to 100 percent of viruses, bacteria and other harmful airborne particles. This method creates a hypoallergenic space that is more comfortable for asthma and allergy-sufferers and that also can provide a more refreshing and rejuvenating experience for all hotel guests.With the addition of PURE Rooms, the Orchard Hotel continues its emphasis on health and wellness for...

RIVERSIDE, CALIF.—SolarMax announced that they have launched the Commercial PPA Program across the state of California. This program, according to SolarMax, is the same concept as the Residential PPA and is an easy way to finance a commercial solar system without taking on the upfront cost.A SolarMax PPA allows commercial and nonprofit companies and organizations to go solar without any capital investment. This way, they save money from day one. The lease also includes all maintenance and monitoring. Whether buying or leasing, customers can expect a high ROI.SolarMax also allows their customers to lock in their KWh price for...

DEARBORN, MICH.—Boxed Water is Better, the sustainable boxed water company, announced that the adoba Eco Hotel & Suites Brand, the eco-friendly independent hotel brand with a commitment to green responsible design, has added its single-serve, boxed water product to its 773-guestroom Dearborn, Mich. location. The hotel selected Boxed Water because of the product’s focus on sustainability, environmental awareness and its distinct package design.The Boxed Water container is more sustainable than plastic bottled water, with more than 75 percent of its packaging derived from renewable resources. The trees used to make Boxed Water come from certified, well-managed forests. These forests...

LISLE, ILL.—Air Cycle Corp. has released the next generation of its Bulb Eater lamp crushing machine—The Bulb Eater 3 with Intelli Technology. In less than one second, The Bulb Eater 3 system crushes spent fluorescent lamps of any length, u-tubes, and CFLs into 100 percent recyclable material, while capturing more than 99.99 percent of the vapors released.The system, which is mounted to a 55-gallon drum, can hold up to 1350 4’ fluorescent lamps. A five-stage filtering process removes hazardous particulates and vapors. A recent study showed non-detectable levels of emitted mercury vapor even after crushing 1,700 lamps. A digital...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—In an effort to more wholly focus and invest in its fastest growing areas, Niagara Conservation recently divested a portion of its business to AM Conservation Group, Inc., a Charleston, S.C.-based supplier of weatherization, energy and water conservation products. Among the acquired products are Niagara Conservation’s showerheads, aerators, lighting and weatherization products, which all will continue to be sold under the Niagara brand name. Niagara will retain its toilet and program related business. Niagara Conservation plans to expand its line of ultra-high-efficiency toilets and pioneering utility programs by investing in a new toilet manufacturing plant in Kokomo, Ind.,...

KNOXVILLE, TENN.—EcoGreenHotel, a leader in sustainable solutions for the hospitality industry, announced approval of $500,000.00 of energy solutions over three Alabama hotels with an ROI under 2.5 years. EcoGreenHotel focused on three hotels to work closely with Abundant Power and the Alabama Saves Program. “The detail of the solutions within our Energy Efficiency Analysis (E2A) was impactful in the approval process,” said Scott Parisi, president of EcoGreenHotel. “The in-depth analysis of the report allowed for discussion to progress quickly with Abundant Power, allowing the hotel’s bottom lines to be immediately impacted by the delivery of operational savings.”“It was a pleasure...

GUIYANG, CHINA—Johnson Controls, a leader in building technology and services, recently helped Hyatt Regency Guiyang become Hyatt Group’s first hotel in China to achieve gold certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, New Construction (LEED-NC Gold). Peter Templeton, vice president of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and Nellie Cheng, China director of USGBC, officially awarded the certification to Qiao Gencai, general manager of Hyatt Regency Guiyang.“Zhongtian Group promotes a sustainable lifestyle, builds green cities, practices energy conservation and reduces emissions in our work to develop western China,” said Luo Yuping, chairman of Zhongtian Urban Development Group and...