NEW YORK—Sofitel Luxury Hotels announced that all nine North America properties received a rating of 3 Keys or higher (based on a 1 to 5 Key rating) following a comprehensive environmental audit by the Green Key Eco-Rating program, the hotel group’s official green lodging certification program. In some cases, Sofitel properties were the first and only hotel in their respective states to earn a Green Key rating. Sofitel Montreal, Sofitel Philadelphia, Sofitel Washington D.C., Sofitel Minneapolis and Sofitel San Francisco received a 4-Key rating, while Sofitel Miami, Sofitel Chicago, Sofitel New York and Sofitel Los Angeles received a 3-Key...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Representatives from Shaw Industries Group, Inc. joined California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and William McDonough at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. recently for an event marking the launch of the Green Products Innovation Institute (GPII). The first nonprofit institute of its kind in the United States, the GPII is dedicated to transforming the way companies design and manufacture products by advancing the Cradle to Cradle framework developed by architect and designer William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart. Speaking at the event, Shaw CEO Vance Bell said that Shaw, an early adopter of Cradle to Cradle design, was...

RICHMOND, CALIF.—SunWater Solar, one of the only companies in California that specializes in solar thermal technology, released a new video: “Solar Hot Water Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.” This five-minute video is an excellent source of information for anyone looking to learn more about solar thermal, an efficient, low cost, renewable energy source. “Solar Hot Water Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” provides an overview of solar thermal technology and its history, benefits and applications. The video is narrated by SunWater Solar’s executive team. Loaded with insightful commentary and high-quality footage of solar thermal systems in...

WAUKESHA, WIS.—room3seven LLC has introduced its reCollect2, a new in-room recycling unit. 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 each hotel property’s recycling and style needs. Moreover, we’re committed to practicing and supporting all aspects of sustainability, while emphasizing...

SAINT-GEORGES, QUEBEC—Victor Group, a leading North America-based textile company, announced that the company is partnering with cf stinson, a leading supplier of contract fabrics, to launch the Jazz Collection, a new fabric collection that features the Victor Group’s Eco Intelligent PC Recycled Polyester with Agion. The fabrics in the Jazz Collection—inclusive of the antimicrobial, dyes and chemicals—are certified Cradle-to-Cradle Silver by MBDC. Cradle to Cradle certification is a multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s safety to humans, the environment and design for future life cycles. The Jazz Collection, created by renowned designer Jane Wicks, represents the next evolution in cf...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Control4 as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Control4 delivers a personalized experience for guests with control of lighting, drapes, TV, stereo, thermostat and more through a single remote control. Property managers can configure and update rooms remotely, and centrally manage energy usage. Control4’s Suite System utilizes wired IP and wireless ZigBee technology to save money and construction costs. Currently, Control4 Suite Systems are being implemented in projects from Las Vegas to London. At the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas, the property collaborated...

GARDEN GROVE, CALIF.—Sterling Sleep Systems’ 625 Imperial Pillow Top mattress was presented with the Award of Excellence in the 2010 Annual International Interior Design Association (IIDA)/Hospitality Design Product Design Competition at the recent Hospitality Design Exposition and Conference in Las Vegas. Sterling Sleep Systems won an award in the Case Goods and Freestanding Furniture category. Judges selected the winners based on the following: innovation, technical advancements, cost effectiveness, environmental responsibility, aesthetics, need and usage in the hospitality industry, and both client and user benefits. “As the developer of Sterling’s sustainable bed system, the idea of being able to replace worn...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville has enhanced its Empire Porcelain Stone line, which echoes the grandeur of 19th-century France with the look and feel of natural marble. Empire now boasts 20 percent SCS-certified recycled content, has an updated color palette (including a stunning new Alabaster white), and is offered in a range of sizes and shapes, from newly designed mosaics to 21" x 21" large format to popular plank shapes. A choice of polished and unpolished finishes increases Empire’s versatility. Designed by renowned color forecaster, Barbara Schirmeister, ASID, DC, CAUS, for both commercial and residential installations, Empire’s Porcelain Stone is durable,...

GREAT FALLS, MONT.—eComponents Technology, a leading provider of hotel energy and environmental management solutions for the past decade, announced that as an Energy Star Partner it will offer automated benchmarking services for Energy Star certification. President and CEO Keith Kemble explained what this means for current and future clients: “Our Energy Star Automated Benchmarking Service allows your organization to compare facilities’ performance and energy usage with thousands of similar buildings across the United States. Organizations that use our ABS will reduce the costs of using Energy Star by eliminating the complexity of manually entering facility and enterprise energy consumption data.” ...

SPOKANE, WASH.—Sister Sky introduces its hotel amenity line that captures the indigenous essence and spirit of Native American heritage. Indigenous cultures have rich and meaningful plant traditions respecting nature’s own healing herbs from the Earth. Honoring this tradition, Sister Sky infuses botanical ingredients to enhance health and wellness. Sister Sky is a certified minority business enterprise owned by sisters Monica Simeon and Marina TurningRobe of the Spokane Tribe. “As Native Americans, we are deeply committed to creating products that honor the Earth and soothe the spirit,” said Simeon. Sister Sky’s signature fragrance is Sweet Grass which is long believed by Native...