LAGRANGE, OHIO—West Development Group (WDG), a leader in sustainable roofing products and practices, introduces E-VersiBlock, a high-performance, versatile, and sustainable alternative for mounting commercial rooftop accessories. WDG’s E-VersiBlock rooftop equipment mounting system can be used in a variety of ways to support HVAC unit rails, gas pipes, electrical conduit, and walkways. It can also be used for equipment curbs, solar panel mounting, and structural framing mounts. These units are connectable and offer increased versatility when used with metal framing, pipe clamps, struts, couplings and other attachments. Each E-VersiBlock is designed to allow for two-way drainage that significantly reduces...

DALLAS—Coming to this year’s HITEC 2010, VingCard Elsafe, a global leader in hospitality security, debuts its next generation of wireless solutions, designed to help hotels go green for guests—and contribute to hotels’ environmentally friendly initiatives. Energy expense is the second highest cost for hotels and by changing the way properties consume energy, hoteliers will dramatically increase energy savings and reduce expenses at hotel properties of all sizes. VingCard’s new technology, designed with hoteliers’ and guests’ needs in mind, promises to change the way properties use and save energy. VingCard Elsafe will demonstrate its new product innovation on Tuesday, June...

ATLANTA—Lithonia Lighting, a leader in indoor commercial and architectural lighting, announced that it is fortifying its presence in the LED lighting market with the introduction of RTLED. RTLED is a high-quality, volumetric recessed luminaire that delivers ambient white light throughout an entire space while reducing energy costs, maintenance costs and a building’s environmental footprint. “RTLED is an innovative breakthrough for high-quality LED lighting solutions in commercial interior spaces,” said Dave Ranieri, vice president of Lithonia Lighting Fluorescent/LED Business Unit. “In addition to maintaining high efficacy and excellent color over a 50,000-hour system life, RTLED creates an optimum balance...

LOS ANGELES—Green Globe International, Inc., the worldwide owner of the Green Globe brand, announced that at the recent World Travel & Tourism Council Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Beijing, a cooperative agreement was signed for the deployment of the Green Globe Index sustainability assessment program to be implemented by China’s Hotel Purchasing and Supplying Association (HPSA), which is headquartered in Beijing. HPSA is the most renowned and influential trade association in China’s hospitality industry, with 6,000 corporate and individual members from the industry and their supply chains. The Green Globe Index sustainability assessment program will help China hotels and...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—For the past four years, Save Your World, in conjunction with Conservation International, has been successful in raising funds to save more than 200,000 acres of Guyana rainforest—some of the most pristine on Earth—through the sale of its “Earth friendly” hotel amenity products. During this time, Pineapple Hospitality, a distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has been a leading distributor of the Save Your World amenities and a key contributor to the conservation efforts. Due to this success, Save Your World has decided to discontinue the manufacture and selling of personal care...

KNOXVILLE, TENN.—Sansin Corp. released its new Purity Interior Zero VOC Penetrating Stain (0-VOC), a water-based interior wood stain with a base free from any harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that penetrates both soft and hard woods with consistent, uniform coverage. Sansin has been a leader in researching and developing environmentally friendly interior and exterior wood stains for a quarter century. The Sansin Purity Interior Zero VOC Stain is available at participating dealers or can be shipped direct from a nearby dealer location. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified VOCs as a source of unhealthy indoor air with health...

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...