CHICAGO—Cintas Corp. introduced EcoGeneration by Cintas scrubs, an eco-apparel option designed for housekeeping personnel in the hospitality industry. This new apparel line is constructed with REPREVE recycled fibers, which are woven into a wearable, comfortable scrub line. “In an industry that employs more than 1.9 million workers, transitioning housekeeping staff into environmentally friendly work wear can have a significant impact on a hotel’s environmental program,” said Todd McKeown, Vice President of Hospitality at Cintas. “These scrubs also help promote productivity, because workers stay comfortable throughout the day and are better able to perform their job functions.” REPREVE, made by Unifi, Inc.,...

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman Company unveiled a new line of shower products. It includes aesthetic updates to some of Speakman’s most popular showerheads as well as the introduction of more than 30 new showerheads and accessories. “For years we have spent time perfecting the performance of our showerheads, which has allowed us to become one of the best known shower companies in the world,” said Amy Thompson, product coordinator. “The new line offers our tradition of strong performing showerheads as well as timeless aesthetics.” The new product line features Anystream 360 spray technology. Developed by Speakman’s engineering team, Anystream 360 spray technology...

DURHAM, N.C.—Cree, Inc. announced that it has demonstrated the brightest, most efficient, LED-based A-lamp that can meet Energy Star performance requirements for a 60 watt standard LED replacement bulb. This level of performance is the result of Cree TrueWhite Technology and patented Cree remote phosphor technology.  “This is a significant milestone for the industry,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “In the race to commercialize low-cost, energy-efficient LED bulbs, the industry has forgotten that LED lighting is supposed to look as good as the technology it is replacing. This is the first no compromise replacement for a 60...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—As a first-time exhibitor at the Chicago International Housewares Show in March, Sublime will present the latest in environmentally-friendly, anti-fatigue with its new Imprint Comfort Mats. “The mats are good for our planet as they are made out of a new, proprietary eco9 technology that is environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and is manufactured without the use of toxic metals,” said Sublime president and CEO Philip Risk. Last year, a major University School of Ergonomics determined Imprint Mats were able to “significantly reduce pain and lessen discomfort” when compared to standing on a hard surface. In fact, study participants saw a reduction...

SAN RAMON, CALIF.—This year’s ASHRAE expo in Las Vegas, January 31 to February 2, includes more than a dozen EnOcean Alliance members showcasing the latest energy harvesting, wireless solutions for HVAC applications. EnOcean Alliance, located at booth N5042, is a consortium of 170 companies primarily serving the building sector. They will be hosting solutions developed by Verve Living Systems, Leviton, Echoflex, Illumra, Kieback & Peter, EnOcean and Titus. Several other EnOcean Alliance members will be displaying their products at the exposition, including: Distech Controls, Can2Go, Functional Devices, LonMark International, BACnet International, Reliable Controls and Spartan Peripheral Devices. For many years,...

NEW YORK—In November 2010, the Grand Hyatt New York implemented a comprehensive recycling program for its public spaces. One of the ways the Grand Hyatt sought to meets its aesthetic and operational recycling objectives was to offer a collection of upscale recycling bins throughout its meeting spaces, lobby, and elevator bay areas. The hotel worked with T2 Site Amenities to develop a comprehensive recycling solution for their office staff, guests, and meeting attendees. This included purchasing the Metro recycling series (shown) and setting up a new Standard of Operations to sustain the action of recycling. According to Diana Beltran, the...

WILMINGTON, DEL.—American Hometec, Inc. introduced its new Thermolock line of ultra-compact electric tankless water heaters—thermostatically controlled (a.k.a. temperature controlled) hot or tempered water units designed for easy compliance to codes like UPC 413.1-2006. The Thermolock line includes a family of three electric units—the AHQ-TC10, ACQ-TC10Y and ACQ-TB03X—all designed for hand washing, eye washing, booster heat or kitchen sinks in commercial settings as well as sinks, dishwashers or a single shower (tropical zone only) in residential settings. Unlike other electric water heaters on the market, the Thermolock units feature a lockable interface that can be set to a precise, desired temperature...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Building insulation products from Dow Building Solutions have achieved recertification by the Cradle to Cradle Certification program, a well-known, multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s safety and environmental impact. Originally certified and announced at IBS last year after rigorous analysis,  STYROFOAM Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation and SAFETOUCH Fiberglass-Free Insulation both recertified at the SILVER level, while STYROFOAM SIS Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing, THERMAX Exterior Insulation, and STYROFOAM Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation all achieved BASIC recertification. “We feel that recertification of our building insulation products under a holistic analysis like Cradle to Cradle is a preferred...

DALTON, GA.—Zeftron nylon, a premium branded nylon 6 fiber for the commercial interiors marketplace, announced that Julie Kelly is the grand prize winner of its second annual Sustainable Practices Award. Kelly, an interior designer at Chicago Design Network, was chosen for her variety of innovative green practices. Sheri Gorman, director of business development and marketing at RD Weis Companies, was selected as this year’s runner-up. The award honors commercial architecture, interior design and facility professionals who incorporate sustainable practices at home, at work and in their communities. “Zeftron nylon recognizes that the key to a sustainable future is not just...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—From 2004 to 2009, PURE Solutions installed innovative “PURE allergy-friendly” rooms in 40 top hotels. In 2010, consumer acceptance and business innovation quadrupled these rooms to 5,000 rooms in 200 hotels worldwide. Hyatt, Hilton, Doubletree, Marriott, Wyndham, Fairmont, Westin, Sheraton, Residence Inn, Embassy Suites, NYLO, and Radisson now offer PURE rooms. PURE is available in hotels in 32 U.S. states and internationally in China, Taiwan, India, Australia, Greece, Malaysia, Aruba, Canada, Caribbean and Puerto Rico. PURE Solutions’ aggressive growth in a difficult economy can be attributed to developing a creative way to help hoteliers provide these badly needed rooms...