MORROW, GA.—TOTO announced that it has expanded its sustainability initiatives at its manufacturing facility in Morrow, Ga. The company has formed a cross-industrial strategic partnership with Crossville, Inc., manufacturers of premium Porcelain Stone tile, which has developed proprietary systems for processing pre-consumer sanitary ware, fired tile, and filtrate waste back to powder that is used in the manufacture of new tile. Crossville will introduce its new EcoCycle Recycling Processes at NEOCON, where both companies will display in Chicago, June 13 to 15, 2011. “There’s no ‘silver bullet’ when it comes to reducing a facility’s carbon footprint,” said Bill Strang, senior...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has increased the recycled content in Eco Solution Q, the company’s premium branded Cradle to Cradle Silver certified carpet fiber, to 45 percent. Eco Solution Q now contains 20 percent pre-consumer recycled content and 25 percent post-consumer recycled content sourced from caprolactam (the monomer or ‘building block’ of Nylon 6) recovered through Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon 6 Recycling facility in Augusta, Ga. The recycled content is based on allocated nylon fiber from Shaw’s total nylon fiber production and determined as a percent of total Eco Solution Q nylon output; based on this method, recycled content...

RICHMOND, CALIF.—Excellent Packaging & Supply, a wholesale distributor of sustainable, biodegradable, and nature-based packaging for foodservice and other applications, has added the complete range of Bridge-Gate compostable serving ware and take-out packaging made from 100 percent renewable resources to its extensive selection of products available through its BioMass Packaging division. Excellent Packaging now carries Bridge-Gate plates, bowls, clamshells and hinged containers, trays, platters and lids—all of which are made entirely from renewable, organic, GMO-free agricultural wheat fibers that are a natural by-product of crop harvests and certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). “Consumers and foodservice businesses are looking for...

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...