MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Cogenra Solar, a provider of distributed solar cogeneration systems and renewable energy service solutions, announced that its solar cogeneration modules have become the first solar energy solution to pass requisite third-party standards for both concentrating solar thermal and solar electric certifications established by the independent certification bodies Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), respectively. These industry evaluations enable customers of Cogenra’s solar cogeneration solution to benefit from significant financial incentives for renewable energy installations throughout the United States. Cogenra is the first concentrating solar collector to receive OG-100 certification for meeting the...

COSTA MESA, CALIF.—Cadiz Design Studio continues to work with Xanterra Parks and Resorts in revitalizing their Grand Canyon South Rim properties. Located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the 198-room Yavapai East building now offers its guests upgraded, eco-conscious amenities. Renovations included designs that honor the beauty of the National Park’s landmark. The rooms have been transformed to showcase the park’s natural surroundings through the use of indigenous patterns, textures and colors. Green initiatives include U.S. manufactured furnishings and fabrics shipped within 500 miles of the site. Carpets and textiles contain significant amounts of recycled content and can...

HOUSTON—Waste Management and Cartridge World Group Holdings Pty Ltd and Cartridge World North America, LLC launched a new recycling program to increase the collection of used printer cartridges and the sale of remanufactured cartridges. The program, called “Recycle-2-Save,” offers businesses free recycling of their used printer cartridges and the opportunity to purchase replacement inventory for less than the cost of new cartridges. Under the collaboration, WM LampTracker, Inc., a subsidiary of Waste Management, will provide free recycling services for used ink and toner cartridges. Free recycling boxes are available by logging onto www.wmlamptracker.com and clicking on “Cartridge Recycling” under the...

WARWICK, N.Y.—Impact Enterprises, Inc. was recently awarded the 2011 ADEX Award for Design Excellence for two of its product designs. The ADEX PLATINUM Award for Design Excellence was presented to Impact for its creative and uniquely designed Surfboard Menu Cover. This menu cover design is solid wood, cherry, and has the unique shape of an authentic surfboard. This menu “board” comes with its own solid wood base which allows the board to stand vertically on a table-top, and be removed and reinserted easily. A unique wood frame was created for the “interior” side of the surfboard that allows for...

ROCKPORT, MAINE—Samoset Resort, one of New England’s premier resorts, has partnered with Sleep Inc., a 40-year-old mattress company with factories throughout the United States, to utilize a new recycling method invented by Sleep Inc. This technology was created for and is only used by Sleep Inc. to ensure that old mattresses are 97 percent recycled (as opposed to a few select parts being reused and the rest becoming trash). The Samoset is the first hotel to take advantage of this unique opportunity to avoid having its old mattresses wind up in landfills.  “Our response to Sleep Inc.’s offer to...

LAGRANGE, GA.—InterfaceFLOR, LLC officially rolled out its Interface Hospitality division at HD Expo in Las Vegas. Dozens of new designs have been added to the initial library of modular carpet tile patterns that specifiers will be able to access when composing a floor covering for their hospitality projects.  “Whether it’s for guestrooms, corridors or public spaces, Interface Hospitality is ready with a solution that’s equally attractive as it is practical,” said Charley Knight, vice president of Interface Hospitality. “DYF—design your floor— is the Interface Hospitality mantra, because what we’re offering is an extensive selection of patterns that can be...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a provider of energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, is expanding its LED Outdoor PARK portfolio with the introduction of three new LED luminaries—the Tersen Ratio PG, Lithonia Lighting VAP and the Lithonia Lighting ALX. All three products provide uniform light and maximize visibility for drivers and pedestrians in open and enclosed parking facilities. Tersen Ratio PG is a contemporary, architectural-styled LED luminaire for parking garages. Designed to meet IESNA RP-20 standards, it delivers up to 100 lumens per watt in multiple lumen output packages. Its modern “finned” housing serves as an efficient heat sink, achieving 25 percent...

SAN DIEGO—SkyBlue has been founded to deliver high-performance, fashion-conscious protective bedding technology for the global hospitality and retail markets. SkyBlue’s  DreamTec bedding technology offers advanced protection from bed bugs as well as stains and liquids in an attractive streamlined encasement style.  The DreamTec line includes a selection of designer quality fabrics that are Nanotex treated to strengthen the material and provide stain and fluid resistance. Plus, its patent-pending BB-Lock technology provides maximum control of bed bug entry and escape, along with bite-proof protection.  “DreamTec is more than the most advanced technology for protecting your bedding investment, including the mattress,...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently released the highly programmable Logi Pro Control, now available on the 20-pound capacity E-Series Washers and the complete line-up of M-Series Washer-Extractors. The new Logi Pro Control offers up to 25 individually modifiable programs—each with up to 11 baths, including multiple pre-wash, wash and rinse phases. “The Logi Pro delivers superior control over the wash process,” said Joel Jorgensen, Continental Girbau’s vice president of sales and customer services. “It’s designed to improve productivity and efficiency at a wide array of on-premise laundries. The Logi Pro offers precise control over wash variables to ensure optimum efficiency...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Skyware Hospitality Solutions as a Product & Service Directory partner. Skyware provides Web-based (or “SaaS”) services that save a lot of extra energy by eliminating the use of on-site computer servers and network equipment. Studies show a 25 to 1 savings in electrical power consumption running Skyware versus running the same applications on premise. Skyware’s Web-based hotel management solution seamlessly integrates property management, online bookings, and marketing all on one single, easy-to-use platform. Skyware’s next generation property management system solution includes the following suite of products: PMS, Sales...