VERO BEACH, FLA.—Kimpton’s oceanfront Vero Beach Hotel & Spa announced its receipt of the Environmental Certification-Silver by Green Seal (GS-33), a nonprofit organization that uses science-based standards to measure sustainability. Located on South Florida’s Treasure Coast, the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa is the first of only two hotel properties in Florida to be certified Silver by Green Seal. An endeavor that required an extensive time commitment and many operational changes on behalf of the hotel, the Silver level certification is the second among three levels of environmental achievement recognized by the GS-33 standard and signifies that a property...

TROY, OHIO—Hobart has launched Advansys, an advanced warewashing system. Advansys technology includes innovations that save operators time and money, makes the equipment easier to maintain and service, and improves productivity. The first product available in the Advansys line is Hobart’s new Advansys Ventless Door Type, which was introduced earlier this year as the AM Select Ventless warewasher. The unit is a recipient of this year’s National Restaurant Association Kitchen Innovations award, which recognizes groundbreaking foodservice equipment as selected by an independent panel of experts and received the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) Product of the Year award for 2010. The patent-pending...

BOULDER, COLO.—HOMER Energy has designated Sustainable Travel International (STI) as its exclusive partner in the marketing of HOMER software and services to the travel and tourism industry. As part of the arrangement, STI will offer HOMER software and services to its global network and membership at preferred rates. In return, HOMER Energy will partner with STI on renewable energy projects in destinations around the world. HOMER Energy modeling software helps users plan power systems that combine renewable energy with storage or conventional backup. Some resorts operate off the grid while others use backup diesel engines to cope with power interruptions...

VISTA, CALIF.—Sustainable Industries named Solatube International’s Solatube 750 DS Daylighting System as one of its 2010 Top 10 Green Building Products award winners. This is the second consecutive year the Solatube 750 DS has been selected as a “Top 10” product by Sustainable Industries, making it the first product to earn the distinction more than once. The Solatube 750 DS, designed for use in all retrofit and new construction commercial applications, was selected by Sustainable Industries from more than 100 entries based on its environmental performance, scalability/market impact, innovativeness, design aesthetic, value and compatibility with the U.S. Green Building Council’s...

LOS ANGELES—Falcon Waterfree Technologies, a leading global manufacturer of waterfree urinals, earned ‘2010 Money-Saving Product’ recognition by Buildings Magazine for the new Falcon F7000 splash-free waterfree urinal. The Falcon urinal was selected from a field of hundreds of products for its cost savings based on utility bills and ease of maintenance. Like all Falcon urinals, the new F7000 waterfree urinal is engineered to provide simple operation for new construction and restroom upgrades. The low purchase price and life cycle cost provides better payback than other urinal technology options. Besides saving up to 40,000 gallons or more of water and sewer...

ATLANTA—Hyatt Hotels in New York City; Jersey City, New Brunswick, and Morristown, N.J.; Fairfax, Va.; and Greenville S.C. participated in demand response curtailment programs during the recent record setting heat wave, and as a result saved approximately 760 kW of electricity in one day alone, which is the same amount of power needed to supply about 117 homes.The Hyatt Hotels’ participation in demand response during these emergency conditions helped their local utility companies meet the power demand of all customers and avoid power outages and blackouts. Demand response is a relatively new concept gaining wide acceptance as an effective...

ORLANDO—INNCOM International recently unveiled a new Radio Frequency (RF) Tabletop/Bedside Controller as part of its Integrated Room Automation System (IRAS) that is completely customizable. It is a multi-purpose device that features customizable touchscreen guest control of room temperature, lighting, drapes and alarm clock. The Internet-enabled TBL-80LCD can also display guest services information and online communications, automated CRM information delivery and easy staff reporting functions. INNCOM’s Privacy/Make-up Room, its patented ecoMODE, and in room/outdoor temperature also are part of the branded and customized display. INNCOM debuted its TBL-80LCD at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC). Also on display was...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes HEALTHY MINI BAR as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. HEALTHY MINI BAR is a provider of healthy, environmentally conscious amenities and specialty foods to hotel guestrooms and convenience centers. HEALTHY MINI BAR strives to meet all the definitions of healthy lifestyle, therefore the company offers a variety of  foods like low calorie options, organic, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free snacks, and diabetic friendly options, just to name a few. HEALTHY MINI BAR items do not contain high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils/fats also known as “trans...

MIAMI—Vero Water, a Miami-based pure water resource corporation owned by entrepreneur and CEO Joshua Kunis, announces the national launch of its seven-step water refining system designed to offer high-end restaurants and hotels eco-friendly, ultra-purified and made-to-order still and sparkling water with zero carbon footprint. As green initiatives continue to gain traction in the hospitality industry, many restaurateurs and hoteliers are having to make compromises on luxuries to help build an environmentally friendly brand. One of these concessions includes making a change from offering patrons premium bottled water to filtered tap water. This method reduces the amount of energy used to...

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.—Sweet Flavor announces the launch of its new site specializing in biodegradable disposable tableware. The company also announces a new line of bamboo and pine disposable tableware. “This is giant step forward in the growth of our company,” says Jamil Bouchareb, co-owner of Sweet Flavor of Florida. “Market research shows that four out of five caterers and consumers choose to use a sustainable food serving solution over a more harmful, non-biodegradable choice. Sustainable disposable tableware is the wave of the future.” Sweet Flavor of Florida sells to hundreds of eco-conscious fortune 500 companies. Some of its major clients include...