CHESAPEAKE, VA.—Solar Panels Plus (SPP) announces that the SplitCool DC-18 solar air conditioner has passed its TUV product safety testing and now carries the CE mark. Electrical, fire and mechanical safety issues have been properly addressed and the SplitCool unit now fully complies with global product safety standards. The SplitCool system design allows for operation between 5,000 BTU and 18,000 BTU, meaning that capacity, refrigerant flow and compressor speed are variable and are dynamically adjusted in real time to match the current conditions and heat load. The system is designed to use the lowest possible amount of electric power so...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) recently launched the CMP Wizard, an interactive online tool to help LEED Professionals understand their Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) requirements and explore continuing education options. The maintenance requirements for the LEED AP and LEED Green Associate credentials ensure that credential holders stay current with the quickly evolving body of knowledge around green building. Credential maintenance also enables professionals to grow their skills and show clients and employers that their expertise is meaningful in a rapidly transforming marketplace. The CMP Wizard helps LEED credential holders select from among the wide variety of options they...

NORTH WALPOLE, N.H.—Len-Tex Corp. announced the introduction of its exclusive Clean Vinyl Technology (CVT), a breakthrough development for the commercial wallcovering industry. Len-Tex has partnered with O’Sullivan Films to create a customized, non-ortho-phthalate vinyl film. This technology eliminates the elements of most concern to health and indoor air quality typically found in traditional vinyl wallcovering products. Len-Tex CVT contains no phthalate plasticizers, no barium or other heavy metals, no antimony-based fire retardants and no formaldehyde. In addition, the CVT technology incorporates the Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial agent, replacing an arsenic-based biocide often found in commercial vinyl wallcovering. “We’re proud to take a...

NEW CASTLE, DELA.—Speakman Company introduces the Anystream Neo product family. The Neo is just one of the many new showerheads introduced by Speakman during the February launch of the renewed shower product line. The Anystream Neo product family features a modern design aesthetic, which is carried throughout the line in a fixed and hand-held showerhead as well as a 7-inch brass shower arm. The family includes a fixed, hand-held shower, and three unique combination showers available in both polished chrome and brushed nickel. The fixed and hand-held showerheads are also available as WaterSense certified 2.0 gallon per minute fixtures. All Neo...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Commercial Zone Products introduces its new InnRoom Recycler—part of the Precision Series family which offers trash and recycling compartments in one container.  The new in-room recycler is ideal for hotel guestrooms, bathrooms, fitness rooms and offices; it easily fits under any desk or counter. The InnRoom Recycler comes complete with two removable 1.6-gallon liners and can hold at least six uncrushed 16 ounce water bottles. A set of decals allows you to customize your receptacle to fit your recycling needs. One bin, two liners with extended lip is convenient and quick for housekeeping to empty; saving time and costs....

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—Sloan Valve Company’s new Bio-Deck Sinks in the SloanStone lavatory family are sustainably built and operated. The Bio-Deck Sinks are made from ground-up corn cobs or other bio-based materials instead of the petroleum-based material that is typically used in solid-surface systems. Plus, lavatories coordinate with Sloan water-efficient, sensor-activated faucets using as little as 0.5 gallons per minute for substantial water savings. The Bio-Deck Sinks come with an undermount porcelain bowl. The new single- and double-station Bio-Deck models are rugged, vandal-resistant, and come in numerous decorative finish options. Lavatories are available with a selection of Sloan’s battery-powered, solar-powered or hardwired...

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND—Against a background of rising world energy prices, ISO’s announcement of a third quarter 2011 target for publication of its ISO 50001 International Standard for energy management is particularly timely. ISO 50001 will help organizations to improve their energy performance, increase energy efficiency and reduce climate change impacts. ISO 50001 will establish a framework for industrial plants, commercial facilities or entire organizations to manage energy. Targeting broad applicability across national economic sectors, it is estimated that the standard could influence up to 60 percent of the world’s energy use. ISO 50001 is being developed by ISO project committee ISO/PC 242,...

NEW YORK—Paradigm Group, a leader in environmentally friendly office, break room and disposable products for businesses, has introduced its line of “tree-free” disposable products. The Emerald Brand now features 70 percent tree-free bath tissue, facial tissue, napkins and 100 percent tree-free plates.   The Emerald Brand is the cornerstone of Paradigm Group’s larger cost-neutral conversion initiative, which allows businesses such as hotels, restaurants, corporate offices and educational institutions, among others, to purchase green products for the same or less than what they are paying for non-green alternatives. The new tree-free line is less expensive than traditional products because its manufacturing process...

PHILADELPHIA—StarCite, Inc., a leading provider of Web-based solutions to strategically manage corporate meetings and events, announced a new partnership with the Green Hotels Global program to provide planners with a source for environmental information about hotel properties worldwide. Hotel properties that are members of the Green Hotels Global program will be identified to meeting planners within the StarCite supplier database. Room night and event-related environmental metrics from each property will be available to meeting planners during their online sourcing process. The information will allow planners sourcing within StarCite to easily identify the properties that are leaders in environmental responsibility and...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes the Venus Group as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Venus Group’s ECOtouch towel collection is made from 100 percent natural cotton. The collection is designed with classic dobby styling and engineered to be plush, soft and absorbent. Venus offers its customers premium quality Farm to Finish (F2F) towels, manufactured through responsible processes. The company’s vertical manufacturing capabilities enable it to develop products made from biodegradable materials such as hemp, seaweed, bamboo, and kapok. In addition to towels, Venus Group offers sheets and pillowcases, robes and slippers,...