ATLANTA—Georgia-Pacific Food Services Solutions announces the latest addition to its product line of Dixie Insulair insulated paper cups—the new Interlude design. The new look of Interlude combines vibrant musical accents and warm red and gold hues to complement the performance of triple-wall layering that keeps beverages hot. “The new Interlude design is created to provide operators with a product that matches the experience demanded by today’s consumers,” said Chuck Knudsen, senior Hot Cup category marketing manager, Georgia-Pacific Food Services Solutions. “Our goal is to continually provide operators with single-use products that perform at a very high level in functionality and...

CAMARILLO, CALIF.—Hygiena has just released its newest rapid detection equipment system, the SystemSURE Plus ATP hygiene monitoring system. This new sanitation monitoring system is used to gauge performance of cleaning processes and to verify that cleaning has been done. The SystemSURE Plus detects both microbial and non-microbial contamination in just 15 seconds, allowing cleaning professionals to verify cleaning and record the results. For more information, visit www.hygiena.net.

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes American Hotel Register Co. as a Green Product & Service Directory sponsor. American Hotel Register has been a leading supplier to the hospitality industry for more than 140 years, and is a one-stop source for 50,000 items. The company offers 1,600 brands, four private-label brands, plus nearly a thousand eco-friendly products to help keep a property green. Call (800) 323-5686, e-mail info@americanhotel.com, or go to www.americanhotel.com for more information.

DALTON, GA.—The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recently announced the first commercial vacuums to earn certification under its new Seal of Approval/Green Label testing program. An independent testing laboratory certified that the vacuums meet high industry standards for soil removal, indoor air quality and carpet fiber protection. This announcement coincided with the 2007 ISSA/Interclean trade show in Orlando, Fla., where CRI showcased the newest addition to its Seal of Approval program for carpet cleaning solutions and equipment. Nearly 300 products carry the CRI Seal of Approval. The Proteam Sierra CM and the TTI Rubbermaid prototype earned the highest gold...

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.—Architects, building developers, owners and renovators now can use the MechoShade Systems’ Mecho/5 solar shading system with EcoVeil shadecloth to contribute to a LEED Innovation in Design point. The point can help buildings achieve LEED Green Building Certification, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Mecho/5 with EcoVeil shadecloth is the first complete solar shading system that contributes to an Innovation in Design product. The environmentally friendly system qualified when the U.S. Green Building Council, which manages the LEED program, included Cradle to Cradle certified building products in the Innovation in Design category. Mecho/5 with EcoVeil received Cradle to Cradle...

FALCONER, N.Y.—Zurn’s EcoVantage Pint Urinal System was selected as the “Best New Product” in the “Green Essentials” category at November’s International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York City. Zurn’s EcoVantage Pint Urinal System reduces water consumption by 85 percent per flush. Typical installations easily conserve more than 30,000 gallons per year. The system is easy to retrofit, and the sensor flush valve offers sanitary, hands-free operation. “The Editor’s Choice Awards serve as an opportunity for exhibitors to position their new products in the marketplace as the must-have new product of the year,” said Christian Falkenberg, show manager. “This year’s...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes To Market, LLC as an advertising partner. The company’s “Alternative Materials for Interior Spaces” includes product lines such as Atmosphere Recycled Rubber Flooring, Fusion Commercial Carpet, Preserve Bamboo, Formis Solid Surface Flooring, Unicork Flooring, and the Wallware Wallcoating System. To Market, based in Oklahoma City, Okla., was founded in 1998. The company focuses on the creation of specifications as it partners with specially selected manufacturers to bring environmentally responsive alternatives to market. Go to To Market, write to pwexler@tomkt.com, or call (866)-772-4772 for more information.

SUN PRAIRIE, WISC.—Glama Natural recently expanded its Forest Stewardship Council-certified (FSC) Glama Natural offering to include 12 new surfaces/basis weights as well as a wide range of envelope sizes. Glama Natural Recycled paper is manufactured with 30 percent post consumer waste in three weights. CTI Paper USA is certified by the Rainforest Alliance SmartWood program as meeting FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) requirements and its code number is SW-COC-1981. Buying FSC-certified paper and envelopes supports well-managed forests, where people, wildlife and the environment benefit from the forestry practices. The leading line of naturally translucent printing paper in North America, Glama Natural...

MINNEAPOLIS—Tennant Co. recently introduced ech2o (pronounced “echo”), a new cleaning technology that electrically activates plain tap water, making it behave like a powerful detergent without any added chemicals. The new ech2o offers significant customer advantages including lower costs, ease of use, improved operator safety, plus an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cleaning methods. Its cleaning effectiveness is proven to be the same or better than general purpose cleaners, without the negative environmental impact and health issues associated with producing, packaging, transporting, using and disposing of traditional cleaning chemicals. The new ech2o begins as water and ends as water. “Our new...

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—Bentley Prince Street’s California mill has become the first carpet manufacturing facility in the country to receive a silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB), company President Anthony Minite announced. The mill is also the first manufacturing facility of any kind to be certified under LEED-EB v2.0. “Certifying our building under LEED-EB is an important part of our sustainability mission on a number of levels,” Minite said. “Not only is it in line with our mission to eliminate any negative...