DALLAS—Sofitel Luxury Hotels, the French luxury hotel brand within the Accor group, has adopted the Green Key Eco-Rating program as its official green lodging certification program for the United States. By instituting Green Key as a brand standard, Sofitel has committed to having its entire U.S. portfolio comprised of eight properties on the program by the end of April 2010. Accor is widely recognized within the hospitality industry as one of the most progressive companies in regards to sustainability initiatives. Sofitel’s commitment to Green Key follows on the heels Accor North America (ANA) launching a Green Key pilot earlier this...

MINNEAPOLIS—Entropy Solutions, Inc., a Minneapolis-based thermal technology development company, has introduced PureTemp for HVAC (heating, ventilation and air- conditioning). A vegetable oil derivative, PureTemp is a phase change material (PCM) that captures wasted ambient energy, and then releases this energy as necessary to hold specific temperatures for extended periods of time without requiring additional energy. PureTemp for HVAC is the world’s first and only 100 percent renewable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly material designed to work with HVAC systems. When integrated into the infrastructure of an HVAC system, PureTemp captures the tremendous amount of wasted energy generated every time a furnace,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Gilchrist & Soames as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Gilchrist & Soames is a purveyor of fine English toiletries to luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. The company provides products ranging from house-brand collections to complete bespoke services. Gilchrist & Soames employs an advanced traceability system that allows it to document all ingredients and ensure quality and safety through the entire supply chain. The company is committed to cruelty-free development and manufacturing and never tests its products on animals. Gilchrist & Soames collections feature one of two...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has bolstered its lineup of earth friendly amenities. New amenity products are now available from Save Your World, EO Amenities and Pharmacopia in both traditional amenity sizes, as well as cost-saving amenities for dispensers. “People care a great deal about the personal hygiene products they use, and that doesn’t change when they are on the road,” says Ray Burger, president of Pineapple Hospitality. “With Save Your World, EO Amenities and Pharmacopia, your hotel guests will find all-natural luxury products that are good for...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Sonoma Soap Company has added something to its all-natural line of Sonoma Soap Products. Beginning this month, the Sonoma brand began carrying the Clean the World logo on its packaging. The co-branded natural bar soaps are part of a unique marketing effort with the nonprofit, Clean the World. In addition to the awareness generated by the new packaging, Sonoma will donate a portion of the proceeds of each co-branded bar purchased to help in its mission of saving lives and recycling soap. “We are proud of this alliance with Clean the World to generate funds and awareness to help...

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Windsor/Aughtry Company announced an agreement with FLS Energy to provide solar hot water technology for the new Courtyard Marriott hotel at the intersection of Main and Broad Streets in downtown Greenville, S.C. This marks the first Marriott property in the United States to boast a commercial-scale solar hot water system. The plan includes 60 solar panels that have been installed to heat 2,900 gallons of hot water a day for the hotel. The hotel is scheduled to open late this month or early May. According to Paul C. “Bo” Aughtry, III, principal with Windsor/Aughtry Company, this environmentally sustainable venture represents...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—A new, more sustainable adhesive has been developed for use on carpet tiles that, according to initial reports, is as effective as conventional adhesives and holds up well when cleaned with professional carpet extraction methods. Adhesives are typically used to bind the layers of carpet tiles together. However, some adhesives in use today make the carpet tiles difficult to recycle. Because of this, it is estimated that in Europe more than 154 million pounds of carpet tiles end up in landfills each year. Although the data were not broken down by type, the nonprofit Carpet America Recovery Effort estimates...

NEW YORK—Carnegie, a manufacturer of textiles, has introduced X-Protect Barrier Backing for its Xorel line of textiles. Technologically advanced, environmentally sound and inherently anti-microbial, Xorel has been widely trusted as a problem solving material by architects and designers since its introduction in 1981. This new protective backing is engineered specifically for Xorel fabrics to protect and prevent stains and other substances from reaching the foam, thereby increasing cushion protection and enhancing Xorel’s performance attributes. This new protective barrier can be applied to any Xorel fabric approved for upholstery use and meets ASTM resistance to blood and...

STOWE, VT.—Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont has received the Sustainable Community Certification from Audubon International, becoming the first ski resort in the United States to earn this environmental achievement. Members of Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program are eligible for certification, which recognizes dedication to the process of becoming a more sustainable community and beginning to act on a sustainability plan. The plan covers 15 focus areas, and members must choose timelines and measurable goals. Once progress is documented, members become certified. “As the first Private Sector Track member to receive the Audubon International Sustainable Community Certification, Stowe Mountain Resort has...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Bedding manufacturer United Feather & Down recently made a difference for two Chicagoland homeless shelters, donating much-needed bedding, including pillows and comforters, as part of the United Relief Foundation’s (URF) Project Restoring Hope program. Project Restoring Hope is dedicated to easing the suffering of homeless individuals and families, especially veterans, in America. United Feather & Down’s donation enabled URF to kick off the Project Restoring Hope program sooner than expected. Company co-president Stephen Palmer was on hand to deliver the comforters, which have been given to two Chicago area shelters: the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton,...