FAIRFIELD, N.J.—As a division of Nouveautes, Inc., Better World Brands will be making its hospitality debut at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in booth 2965. Better World Brands distributes top chocolates from around the world for in-room hospitality and incentive gifts. Besides being among the world’s favorite gourmet brands, those companies that are part of Better World Brands will sponsor various environmental initiatives for a better world. Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate A pioneer in organic and fair trade products, Green & Black’s uses only the very best USDA-certified organic ingredients to make its chocolate. Green & Black’s is the...

DALLAS—Motel 6 is saying “goodbye” to carpet and “hello” to a clean, green, wood-effect laminate flooring in its new Phoenix Prototype and property renovations (retrofits). Motel 6’s new flooring is made of 80 percent pre-consumer recycled material, including an inner wood core comprised of oak and cherry wood chips that would otherwise be burned or thrown into a landfill. The new flooring is also a critical component of the updated Motel 6 design. As the literal foundation of the room, this flooring plays a major role in defining the feel of the space, giving it an updated, larger, and...

HILLSBORO, ORE.—Caroma, a leader in dual flush toilets, urinals, and bathroom sinks, announces the newest high efficiency waterless urinal (HEU): H2Zero. The H2Zero urinal utilizes breakthrough technology to use zero water for optimum performance and water conservation. The vitreous china urinal addresses key challenges that have been associated with other waterless urinals, including performance, operation, odor management, durability, and waste build-up, ensuring a consistently superior product. The H2Zero’s unique patented cartridge technology does not use an oil-based seal, as is traditionally used in waterless urinals. Within the cartridge is a Bio Fresh deodorizing block that is activated during use....

HASTINGS, MINN.—The Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Assn. (MBBA) is taking steps to add green criteria to its quality assurance inspection process. The program will be discussed at the association’s conference that will be held April 20 to 22 at the Greysolon Ballroom in Duluth, Minn. The conference will be followed by workshops that will be held throughout the state to help explain the new program. According to Pam Thorsen, MBBA has not yet decided whether or not to tie a tiered rating system to the QA process. The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, for example, awards one, two or...

PITTSBURGH—Hotels and other multi-unit facilities battling bedbugs now have an effective, chemical-free alternative with the ThermEx Heat Remediation Solution developed by Chromalox, a leading manufacturer of electric heat and control products, and Massey Services, a leading service provider in the pest management industry. Research shows that heat is more effective than traditional pest management approaches in eliminating bedbugs, because they hide in cracks and crevices and do not come in contact with residual products. However, bedbugs are vulnerable to high temperatures sustained over a short period of time. ThermEx Heat Remediation Solution includes a Chromalox custom heating unit and comprehensive...

NIANTIC, CONN.—The luxurious Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has become the first Hyatt property to upgrade its energy management system with the environmentally-friendly ecoMODE option from INNCOM. Niantic-based INNCOM develops, manufactures and markets integrated room automation systems for the international hospitality industry. Situated on 40 acres along a three-mile stretch of the Ka’anapali Beach coastline, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa features guest suites accentuated with plantation-style wood furniture and Hawaiian elegance, and 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. The property is on Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” of Best Places to Stay in 2008...

KOHLER, WIS.—Kohler Co., a leader in kitchen and bath design and technology, was chosen by the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program as the Manufacturing Partner of the Year. “Kohler is honored to be recognized by the EPA for the company’s efforts promoting the WaterSense program, and overall water efficiency,” said Shane Judd, senior product manager for water conservation at Kohler. “Public education, along with new water-efficient products and building design methods, are critical to contain water use. Kohler has responded to this need by developing new products that use less water, but don’t sacrifice performance.” EPA launched the WaterSense Awards program...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Environmental Specialty Products as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Environmental Specialty Products has been manufacturing leisure and park furniture made from the highest grade of recycled plastic lumber for more than 16 years. The leisure furniture has been designed to fit into any backyard setting, yet it has the strength and durability to also meet the needs of the commercial environment. The park series includes sturdy recycling and waste containers, as well as park benches and picnic tables. Other product types available include rockers, gliders, tables,...

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, centrally managed solutions for integrated energy management, networking, building automation and proactive support services, has won a contract with Columbia Sussex, a leading national developer and manager of more than 70 hotels and casinos across 30 states. Approximately 1,300 guestrooms in the Doubletree in Rochester, New York, the Sheraton in Philadelphia City Center, and the Westin in St. Maarten have been equipped with the versatile Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE) in-room, occupancy-driven energy management system, with additional properties scheduled for TSE implementation by the end of the year. After a comprehensive analysis of competitive...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Eco Drain Dragon as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Eco Drain Dragon offers a chemical-free way to unclog drains. It attaches to a wet vacuum and instantly sucks the clog into the vacuum. Unlike chemicals, it produces no heat or gases to irritate the skin, eyes or lungs. Eco Drain Dragon works quickly—typically less than a minute—and produces no messy splash. For additional information, call (717) 248-0600, e-mail ferguson@pa.net, or go to www.ecodraindragon.com.