WASHINGTON, D.C.—Since issuing GS-33, the Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties, in 1999, Green Seal, Inc. has certified many lodging properties in a number of states. The standard has been revised in minor ways twice, and remains a leadership standard that challenges the lodging industry to operate more sustainably. After reviewing its Green Lodging Program and the progress it has made over the years, Green Seal has decided to propose a provisional revision of GS-33. This revision will primarily enable properties to be certified at three different levels to reflect the range of performance and the difficulty in achieving a high...

PHOENIX—Many hotels and resorts now tout their environmentally friendly practices to lure eco-conscious travelers. It can be hard for consumers to tell if a hotel is truly eco-friendly or just employing sneaky PR tactics. iStayGreen’s social network will create accountability, forcing properties to own up to whether they’re truly green or greenwashing. iStayGreen.org lists more than 95,000 lodging properties worldwide with just under 3,000 currently Green Leaf Rated (their proprietary green rating system). “Our members separate fact from hype,” says Richard Varner, founder of iStayGreen.org. “We’ve created a social network structure, much like Facebook, where our members can rally together...

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.—The GE outdoor LED area light from GE Lighting Systems, Inc.—the first of many outdoor LED lighting systems the company is introducing—will provide up to 60 percent energy savings, longer life and significantly improved light-level uniformity compared with traditional HID lamp sources and optical systems, such as a standard 400-watt quartz metal halide system. High performance LED systems from Lumination, LLC, also a GE Consumer & Industrial business, enable the GE LED outdoor area light to deliver excellent system and application efficiency with up to four times the recommended service interval of standard HID systems—a 50,000-hour planned service...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc. (ECS), a privately held demand response provider, announces the addition of its PowerPay! PLUS program to its menu of demand response programs. PowerPay! PLUS is offered to members of PowerPay! PJM and allows businesses to choose when they want to reduce their electricity, giving them an extra revenue stream for their electric demand reduction efforts. This program is a best-efforts, no penalty program in which participants are paid for reducing electricity when electricity prices in the market reach a threshold pre-determined by the company and ECS. ECS will provide detailed price forecasting...

VENICE, CALIF.—Sustainable contemporary furniture-design firm Animavi announced the introduction of the Animavi Artisan Screen, a seven-section, freestanding space-defining sculpture for commercial and custom residential applications. The Artisan Screen is comprised of seven handcrafted steel bases that can be configured in a linear or serpentine form, enabling a six- to seven-foot length. The base unit is available in two finishes: artisan patina or raw steel. The seven-foot vertical planks that make up the screen can be specified in three different material options: Chroma by 3form, Varia Pure Color ecoresin by 3form or Forest Stewardship (FSC)-certified bamboo by Plyboo. “The Artisan Screen is...

SAN DIEGO—Bekaert Specialty Films, LLC reaffirmed its pledge to environmental stewardship by announcing that it has defined its carbon footprint. Bekaert Specialty Films’ solar control window films, sold under the Solar Gard and Panorama brands, have long been recognized for their role in reducing energy consumption, and the company is now the first specialized film manufacturer to make this level of operational commitment to environmentally-responsible practices. “The certification of our carbon footprint is an important step in our overall strategy to improve our environmental practices,” said Christophe Fremont, President, Bekaert Specialty Films. “As leaders, we are pushing the...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes HD Supply Hospitality Solutions as a Founding Sponsor. HD Supply is committed to doing business in a manner that is responsible to its associates, customers and the environment. With HD Supply’s new ideallygreen icon, the company has made it easy for its customers to identify environmentally preferable products throughout its catalogs and at www.hdsupplysolutions.com. Products marked with the ideallygreen icon can increase energy efficiency, help reduce water consumption, create a healthier indoor environment, facilitate waste reduction, and prevent hazardous materials from entering the environment. HD Supply is one of...

ROCKLEDGE, FLA.—Cheetah Spotz introduces its new “green” product for hotel lobbies: The Interactive Concierge. It is an interactive touch-screen directory kiosk that provides area information for hotel guests, including restaurants, activities, attractions and personal services. The Interactive Concierge will print color brochures and coupons, as well as directional maps, and also offers the possibility to make reservations directly through the kiosk. The Interactive Concierge is an alternative to the standard “brochure rack” form of information dissemination. Guests will be less likely to grab “stacks and stacks” of pre-printed brochures, few of which they will actually utilize. Instead, they will print...

LYNDEN, WASH.—Lynden Door Inc., a manufacturer of wood flush interior doors, announced that it has been third-party certified for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody (SGS-COC-003855). The FSC COC audit report found the Lynden plant to be a safe, efficient and progressive manufacturing operation. “Lynden Door’s lean manufacturing initiatives are a perfect platform from which to launch Chain of Custody certification,” said senior vice president John Ridder. “Furthermore, the company’s order flow, accounting and procurement processes all offer strong administrative support for Chain of Custody documentation. We welcome traceability as a fundamental of our overall manufacturing operation, and as...

SAINT CHARLES, MO. —Pineapple Hospitality announced that it will soon offer a full line of eco Biodegradable Bottle Amenities. Pineapple’s eco Amenities is a line of luxury hotel soaps and toiletries designed for discerning and environmentally conscious hospitality properties and guests. All eco liquids and soaps are made with minimal preservatives, all soaps are made using palm kernel oil and have a low fragrance, and the minimal packaging is made from 60 to 90 percent post-consumer, non-bleached board using soy-based natural ink. The new eco line is one of the first hotel toiletry programs designed and manufactured using the latest in...