LOS ANGELES—Acorn Engineering Co., a manufacturer of water-saving plumbing fixtures and systems, is now featuring a stainless steel waterless urinal made from 80 percent recycled content in its lineup. It operates without the need for chemical cartridges. Acorn Engineering’s hand-welded and sustainable waterless urinal is built to outlast other fixtures and reduce impact on water resources, landfills, and a building’s budget. The waterless urinal has furthered Acorn Engineering’s commitment to the environment by utilizing a well-known technology that does not require messy and expensive liquid replacement cartridges. Landfill waste is minimal, and the unit can be cleaned regularly without voiding...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has just added a new case study to its website. The case study focuses on the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and its installation of dehumidification and HVAC control technology from Dectron Internationale, Roswell, Ga. The engineering firm for the project was TLC Engineering for Architecture (TLC), Fort Myers, Fla. Four DRY-O-TRON model DA-5 dehumidifiers manufactured by Dectron were installed in four aquatic areas: the men’s spa, the women’s spa, the rain shower/co-ed pool, and wet treatment area. The result of the investment for the Fontainebleau Miami Beach: $16,000 in annual energy savings.To read the complete case...

RYE BROOK, N.Y.—Doral Arrowwood, located in Westchester, N.Y., announced that it has partnered with American DG Energy of Waltham, Mass. American DG will serve as the hotel’s clean energy supplier. As part of this initiative, Doral Arrowwood will soon receive a significant portion of its energy from a 375 kW combined heat and power (CHP) system. Using energy produced by the CHP system, Doral Arrowwood will reduce its carbon emissions by up to 1,800 tons per year or 43 percent. The partnership is the latest addition to Doral Arrowwood’s green initiatives, which include measures to reduce energy usage, increase...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes The Comphy Co. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Recyclable sheets from The Comphy Co. weigh less, thus increasing sheets per wash load and decreasing total energy costs. Products from The Comphy Co. are constructed from a soft micro-fiber that is luxurious to the touch. They are durable and treated for stain-release. In addition to sheets, The Comphy Co. offers duvet covers, pillow cases, quilted blankets, throws, and more. Quilted bed skirts will be available at the end of the summer.For additional information, e-mail robert@comphy.com,...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—As part of its commitment to environmental responsibility, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has taken an important next step—the offering of environmentally-friendly water bottles at its North American hotels and select properties in the Caribbean. Noting the waste that is caused by using an estimated 5 million 16-ounce plastic bottles every year at the properties, Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, challenged his team responsible for sustainable programs to find a better solution.“Plastic bottles are made from crude oil, take a significant amount of energy to produce, and less than...

ERIE, PA.—Zurn Engineered Water Solutions, a manufacturer of commercial plumbing products, has introduced the HydroVantage sustainable hydro generator flush valve. The HydroVantage flush valve is designed to create energy during each flush cycle. As water passes through the valve, the turbine spins, creating electrical energy which is then stored in a rechargeable cell. This stored energy then powers the electrical needs of the flush valve for subsequent flushes. It eliminates the need for external electrical power or battery replacement for more than 10 years under normal operating conditions. The HydroVantage flush valve provides optimal energy efficiency, low maintenance and ease...

CHICAGO—Technomic, a leading fact-based research firm, recently released findings that outline an overwhelming response from consumers in regard to their green dining expectations. The survey reported consumers displaying strong feelings about how they value the verification of green claims. In addition, those consumers chose which type of certifier or recognizer is most trustworthy in providing green distinctions to restaurants. In the survey findings, 82 percent said they will decrease or stop going to a restaurant that is falsely claiming to be green. Ninety-four percent trust a restaurant’s green claims when they are verified by an organization as being true....

KENNER, LA.—Pellerin Milnor Corporation announces new laundry planning files for prospective customers for all industries, including healthcare, hospitality, athletics, rental, corrections, firefighter and architecture. These comprehensive and complimentary booklets are designed to assist in choosing the right machinery for any facilities’ laundry needs. The Laundry Planning Files include new Milnor installation success stories, washer-extractor capacities worksheets based on linen type, and general guidelines for setting up an on-premises laundry. Call (504) 712-7656 or e-mail mktg@milnor.com for a free laundry planning file. Go to Milnor.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes room3seven as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The company offers the new reCollect2 guestroom recycler for hotels and resorts. Made in the United States, it consists of two independent hubs that sit within a decorative set-base. They are easy to use and empty and are made from materials with recycled content. They are non-toxic and BPA-free. “We’ve developed a product that truly stands for something,” says room3seven president Ann Riphenburg. “The reCollect2 was designed for both functionality and high fashion in order to meet and support...

SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS—Is green going mainstream? Travelocity reports green hotel bookings in the first quarter were 65 percent higher than their non-green counterparts. And now the company has formed a relationship with EC3 Global—a certifier of sustainable travel and tourism organizations—to show consumers sustainable hotels throughout Asia-Pacific. Unlike some travel sites, Travelocity does not accept “self-certified” hotels for its Green Hotel Directory. “It’s important that our eco-friendly leaf icon in the hotel shopping path is a symbol consumers can trust,” says Alison Presley, manager of Travelocity’s Travel for Good program. “There is no way to verify that a self-certified hotel is...