SAN DIEGO—SkyBlue, a leader in protective bedding technology for the retail and hospitality industries, announced a new license agreement that gives Standard Fiber the exclusive global rights to manufacture, market and distribute two of its patent-pending innovations, the ZipIt on/off top encasement structure and the box spring encasement design, both featuring its BB-Lock protective locking technology. A new bedding category that combines defense and design, SkyBlue’s DreamTec bedding technology offers advanced protection from bed bugs, stains and liquids in an attractive streamlined encasement for any mattress, box spring, or pillow. Its patent-pending BB-Lock technology provides maximum control of bed bug...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality continues to strengthen its partnership with Hunter Amenities by adding the Judith Jackson Spa Amenities to its lineup of Green Hotel Products. “We have had great success with great Hunter brands like GreenSPA and Pharmacopia, and we are now excited to offer Judith Jackson SPA and to be a preferred partner with Hunter Amenities,” says Ray Burger, president of Pineapple Hospitality.  The Judith Jackson collection is a spa-quality range of hotel amenities made from all-natural ingredients. Product formulas contain no parabens or sodium lauryl sulfate. The product packaging is made from recycled materials and is 100...

MIAMI—OBM International (OBMI), a leading international architectural and planning firm with nine global offices, has named K. Denaye Hinds as Director of Sustainability, announced Doug Kulig, CEO of OBMI. In her new role, Hinds will lead and expand OBMI’s international design and planning sustainability practice. She will focus on building relationships and engaging the development community, as well as federal and local governments, to promote sustainability objectives for OBMI’s clients and the places where their projects reside. Hinds will also implement company-wide education programs, which include conducting and managing OBMI’s Green Globe Certified Projects. In early 2011, OBMI developed a...

LAS VEGAS—Durkan, the hospitality brand of The Mohawk Group, recently launched a new fiber system, SmartStrand Contract. Made with DuPont Sorona renewably sourced polymer, SmartStrand Contract is specially engineered for hospitality carpeting to offer performance, sustainability and luxury. Durkan is offering both tufted and printed options made with the fiber, including Merit Select’s Lavish Luxury for guestrooms and suites. SmartStrand Contract utilizes triexta fiber—recently designated as its own fiber class by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). “Environmental and social innovation is redefining our future—not just of our organization, our customers’ businesses or the design industry, but more importantly, of the...

BUFFALO GROVE, ILL.—Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Lakefront, which is situated in the heart of downtown, recently unveiled the largest indoor living green wall in Chicago. The 720-square-foot eco-friendly living wall in the hotel’s sky lobby was installed by Ambius, a division of Rentokil Initial plc. This green wall system, which was manufactured by GSky Plant Systems, employs a tray system featuring an energy efficient computer controlled irrigation system. A green wall, which is also referred to as a living wall or vertical garden, is a wall that is free standing or part of a building that is partially or...

WAYNE, N.J.—RecyclingBin.com, a provider of recycling equipment, announced a new program designed to help green up the environment. With each order placed at the company’s website for recycling bins and other recycling equipment, they will ship a free tree sapling. RecyclingBin.com specializes in creating green recycling bins, bringing the process full circle. All bins are manufactured with a minimum of 35 percent recycled materials. In addition, all of their equipment is recyclable. Each product is designed and manufactured in the United States as well, which reduces the impact of international shipping on the environment. Finally, there is no middleman for...

SAN FRANCISCO—The InterContinental San Francisco property, recently awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for its operational efficiency and minimization of environmental impact, will feature a ParkPod charger in support of a Zipcar Hybrid Electric Vehicle, to be stationed full time at the hotel’s downtown San Francisco location. Tom Brigham, ParkPod’s vice president of business development—North America, commented on the partnership. “We’re thrilled to play a part in the InterContinental San Francisco’s initiative and offer our congratulations to them on achieving LEED Gold certification. ParkPod is committed to helping our partners generate real business value from the...

TULSA, OKLA.—Totally Green, Inc., a leader in organic food processing systems and compostable packaging alternatives, has installed its ORCA Green Machine at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. The hotel implemented the ORCA Green Machine to establish on-site composting of organic food waste generated by its restaurant and cuisine services. The organic composter saves the hotel tipping or disposal costs. The organic refuse produced by the hotel no longer needs to be hauled away. The ORCA Green Machine composts up to 2,400 pounds of organic refuse per day into harmless, nutrient rich grey-water that can be safely put into the...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Biodegradable Food Service as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Biodegradable Food Service manufactures more than 82 bio-based, single-use food service products like the compostable Earth Cup hot beverage cups and the Earth Bowl portion containers, along with eco-friendly lid options made from bamboo fibers and corn starch. The company’s extensive biodegradable potato-starch TaterWare food service line includes plates, bowls, clamshells, deli trays, cutlery and more. Biodegradable Food Service pioneered sustainable food-to-go containers and has a loyal following among stewards of the environment. Customization with low...

CORONADO, CALIF.—Established in 1888, the legendary Hotel del Coronado has achieved another milestone by being the oldest hotel in the United States to receive Bronze Level certification by Green Seal. In accordance to Green Seal’s environmental management system, the hotel has made significant progress against the four pillars: climate change, waste, natural resources, and health and well-being. “The entire staff embraced a culture of environmental responsibility, which supported our efforts to overcome the challenges associated with being a 123-year-old property,” says Donna Gonser, hotel manager. Paper, cardboard, wood pallets, plastic containers, aluminum cans and glass are separated and recycled resort-wide....