FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Texas is now experiencing its worst drought since 1895. Agricultural losses now exceed $4 billion and several other industries in Texas are expected to be severely impacted due to the drought. “The Texas cleaning industry is being asked to use water more responsibly,” says Doug Berjer, product manager for CFR, manufacturer of recycling carpet extractors. “And, it’s not just in Texas; water conservation is now an issue throughout the country.” How can cleaning professionals and carpet cleaners conserve water? The following are Berjer’s Solid Seven Water Conservation Tips: 1. Use microfiber mop heads and cloths. A University of California study found...

NEW WINDSOR, N.Y.—USAI Lighting has expanded its BeveLED portfolio of LED (light emitting diode) downlight, adjustable and wall wash fixtures. A promising innovation for the future of LED technology and solid state lighting, the award-winning BeveLED family is the most recent addition to the lighting manufacturer’s flagship Bevel product line. “With a complete line of LED fixtures, we hope to provide our customers with high-performance quality and sustainable lighting, offering designers the flexibility and compatibility features needed to adapt to the strictest standards of the evolving LED lighting industry,” said Bonnie Littman, president of USAI Lighting. “We aim to further...

BARRIE, ONT.—With recycling becoming more and more prominent, the need for more diverse recycling container options has come to the forefront. Busch Systems, a leader in recycling, compost and waste containers, has introduced a new recycling container called the Billi Box to the market. This compact recycling bin comes in either 7 gallon or 10 gallon sizes and incorporates different openings based on which recyclables or waste are to be collected. “This is a first for the recycling industry,” says Busch Systems sales manager, Serena Brooks. “In the past, there have been larger recycling bins with openings and labels but...

HORSHAM, PA.—Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants Group, a pioneer in the emergence of the boutique hotel industry in the United States, has strengthened its position as a leader in green lodging by partnering with Green Key Global. As of September 2011, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program has certified the entire 50-plus hotel Kimpton portfolio, with each property earning a Key rating befitting its environmental performance. The Kimpton portfolio fared well in the certification process, with seven hotels earning the maximum 5-Key designation, representing “a hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations.” Those...

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman Company introduces the Anystream Assana Showerhead. The Anystream Assana features a spa design aesthetic coupled with a traditional rain showerhead sensibility. The showerhead is available in both polished chrome and brushed nickel as well as a WaterSense certified 2.0 GPM flow rates. The Assana showerheads feature Anystream 360 spray technology. Developed by Speakman’s engineering team, Anystream 360 spray technology allows Speakman Anystream showerheads to achieve a 360 degree rotation to the spray adjusting mechanism (handle or faceplate). This adjustability allows the user to make small incremental adjustments to the spray of the showerhead and transition effortlessly through...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Energy-saving lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics announces enhanced Quantum system functionality enabling real-time energy metering of building loads. Lutron’s Quantum Total Light Management maximizes the efficient use of light to improve comfort and productivity, simplify operations and save energy. This system dims or switches all electric lighting and simultaneously controls daylight using automated shades. Quantum easily integrates with building management systems. Quantum systems have always incorporated energy-use calculation software to help evaluate and monitor overall lighting energy use. Now, with new Quantum Energy Metering, the system can also provide real-time energy measurement and verification including high-accuracy metering of lighting, HVAC...

NEW YORK—The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium announced that BYD has joined the Consortium as a Contributing Member. A global leader in new energy solutions, BYD’s membership in the Consortium will contribute to establishing the new Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI), to set standards for evaluating sustainability practices and purchases industry wide. With more than 4.5 million hotel rooms in the United States, lighting is a critical element of design, which must be integrated throughout the development, redevelopment and renovations processes. “Our goal in joining the Consortium is to help the hospitality industry by establishing sustainability performance criteria that delivers real solutions...

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—Southwall Technologies Inc. and Pleotint LLC announced the world’s first installation of high-performance insulating glass that combines Southwall’s Heat Mirror suspended-film technology with Pleotint’s Sunlight Responsive Thermochromic (SRT) technology. The complementary technologies combine to deliver increased energy savings by reducing solar heat gain and glare during peak electrical usage hours, providing optimal daylighting during non-peak hours, while delivering maximum thermal insulation 24 hours a day. The product was manufactured by Southwall Insulating Glass and installed at Pleotint’s corporate headquarters in West Olive, Mich. The combined solution provides superior center of glass insulating performance of 0.13 (R8) with Argon...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a provider of energy-efficient lighting, controls and daylighting solutions, has expanded its Sunoptics high-performance prismatic daylighting portfolio with the introduction of the SEAMLIGHT Curbless Daylighting System. The SEAMLIGHT System is designed for direct installation onto existing industrial standing seam roofing systems, creating new opportunities for the implementation of daylighting solutions. The Sunoptics high-performance prismatic skylights optimize indoor daylighting performance via a patented dome construction designed to capture more light at low sun angles, which maximizes the amount of light transmittance, while maintaining 100 percent diffusion and eliminating undesirable hot spots, glare and UV damage. Utilizing the same...

HONOLULU—AeroVironment announced that it has installed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Marriott Waikiki to serve hotel guests and respond to increased demand for sustainable practices in the tourism and hospitality industries. The new chargers are part of Hawaii’s growing charging infrastructure. In March of this year AeroVironment was selected to help lead the way to a cleaner transportation future through an $820,000 contract from the Hawaii EV Ready Grants Program. According to a recent study by TripAdvisor, eco-friendliness is an important consideration for travelers and the U.S. hospitality industry. In the travel website’s annual survey of more than...