ERIE, PA.—Zurn Engineered Water Solutions has introduced three new high efficiency 1.28 gallon-per-flush two-piece tank toilets, with 3-inch-high performance gravity siphon jet flushing technology. The EcoVantage Z5535, Z5545, and Z5555 water closets offer commercial grade performance. Designed with a powerful siphon jet flushing action, the bowl offers a large water surface and a 2-and-1/8-inch fully glazed trapway. The toilets are available in elongated, round front, and elongated ADA. The EcoVantage series of water conserving toilets provide significant water savings without sacrificing performance. For more information, visit www.zurn.com.

PORTLAND, ORE.—With a commitment to use less ink on business cards, to reduce the amount of CO2 generated when greeting callers and to slash the number of keystrokes needed to find the website, Meeting Strategies Worldwide is now MeetGreen. “The simple fact is,” says founder Nancy Wilson, “that after 15 years, we had to acknowledge that our company had outgrown its original name. It no longer captured the essence of our core business or the new directions in which we are moving.” Wilson and co-owner Amy Spatrisano earned notoriety for their pioneering efforts to bring green practices to the meetings industry....

TRYON, N.C.—Ozone Water Technologies has added the LaundrOzone LZB-UV to its product line. The LaundrOzone LZB-UV Series Ozone System utilizes Ultraviolet Ray (UV) technologies and ambient air as a gas feed to produce high quality ozone gas. The LaundrOzone LZB-UV is a new ozone generator aimed at giving any businesses with small laundries a viable source to reduce their gas, electric, and water consumption. LaundrOzone LZB-UV is designed for small industrial washer extractors up to 40lb/17kg capacity. Ozone Water Technologies, Inc. will be showing the LaundrOzone LZB-UV at the Clean Show at booth 4727. The event will be held June...

BOULDER, COLO.—Sustainable Travel International (STI), a global nonprofit leader in providing market-tested sustainability solutions for the tourism industry, announces the launch of STEP 2.0—its new version of the Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program. STEP 2.0, according to STI, is the world’s first comprehensive, global sustainable tourism eco-certification program offered by a nonprofit organization. The program is aligned with the minimum baseline Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC). “Now STEP 2.0 is applicable to tourism businesses of all sizes, including newcomers to sustainability, those wanting to improve their existing approach, and even businesses that have long-standing green programs,” explains Brian T. Mullis,...

NEW LONDON, N.H.—Synergistic Lighting Technologies, LLC announced the arrival of a modernization to the traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb. The Tru-Spectrum bulb is a modular bulb that utilizes a patent pending new filament wire fabrication method in a small replaceable light source driven by a ~91 percent efficient power circuit. The highly efficient light source and electronics circuit allows the Tru-Spectrum bulb to rival the energy efficiency of a compact fluorescent (CFL), while providing a pleasing lighting color, no dimming or temperature restriction and no harmful mercury. The Tru-Spectrum bulb will also meet the new efficacy requirements required by the US...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Mike Fullerton recently joined Continental Girbau, Inc. as national sales manager for the company’s newest division–Girbau Industrial. Fullerton, of Floral City, Fla., will manage North American sales of the Girbau Industrial brand of heavy-duty industrial laundry systems. Holding 27 years of laundry industry experience, Fullerton brings expertise in industrial equipment sales to the Continental Girbau team, according to Joel Jorgensen, vice president of sales and customer services. “Mike boasts a broad laundry industry background and specialization in industrial sales, which made him the perfect fit for this newly created position,” Jorgensen said. “He holds solid experience at both the...

SAN DIEGO—Koni Kim, designer of luxurious fabrics and soft goods for the hospitality industry for more than 30 years and CEO of Koni Corp., has partnered with American of Martinsville to create her first hospitality case goods collection. Selections from the three new collections will be showcased at the upcoming 2009 HD Expo, taking place at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 14 to 16. Koni’s collections for American of Martinsville complement a range of design styles and have at their core Koni Kim’s primary inspiration, nature. From hand-chiseled panels reminiscent of mahogany carvings to flowing wood grain...

DALTON, GA.—Healthier Choice Flooring, LLC, manufacturer of premium carpet cushion and acoustical underlayment, will be displaying its unique line of “green” cushions and underlayments designed specifically for the hospitality industry, at HD Expo. Sponsored by Hospitality Design, the expo runs from May 14 through May 16 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Healthier Choice hospitality cushions and acoustical underlayments are made in part with eco-friendly soybean oil, lessening dependence on petrochemicals and reducing global warming emissions. Inclusion of Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial prevents the growth of odor- and stain-causing mold, mildew and bacteria for the life of...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Evolve Guest Controls as a Founding Sponsor. Evolve is a wireless room control system designed to save 30 percent or more on a property’s utility costs as well as offering a return on investment in less than two years. Upon entering the guestroom, the guest initiates control of the lighting, heating/cooling, television and draperies by simply inserting the keycard into the wall-mounted Evolve card reader. When guests leave and remove the card, all devices are turned off and the thermostat is adjusted to a “savings” temperature, thereby eliminating...

PHOENIX—On Monday, May 4, Maui Prince Hotel Makena Resort, located in Makena, Hawaii, became the 500th lodging property to complete iStayGreen.org’s online self-audit. The property earned a 3 Green Eco-Leaf Rating. The eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions. Properties complete the comprehensive online self-audit and earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating ranging from 1 to 5 Green Eco-Leafs with 5 Green Eco-Leafs being the highest level attainable. Ratings are based on environmental initiatives in place at the property. Only nine properties...