BUFFALO—Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc. (ECS), the largest privately held demand response provider in the country, has announced the launch of its new website. ECS’ new site links together individual market sites, making it easier to navigate and inform the public of ECS’ PowerPay! Demand Response programs in each territory of the United States and Canada. The site will also feature case studies, tips for reducing electric use during reduction events and more opportunities to request information or contact with ECS for conference calls or meetings—additions that were not available on the previous site. “Updating our website is something we have...

OSCODA, MICH.—Oscoda Plastics, Inc., the manufacturer of PROTECT-ALL Commercial Flooring, has become a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Oscoda joins more than 15,000 member organizations working to provide a green future in building and design. “Our flooring products are manufactured from 100 percent post-industrial vinyl,” said John Rouse, national sales manager for Oscoda Plastics. “By joining the USGBC we are reinforcing our commitment to being an environmentally responsible company.” The USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program promotes sustainable building management and construction practices and provides a rating system for evaluating a building’s environmentally-friendly features....

LAS VEGAS—Oriens Travel & Hotel Management Corp., an emerging travel and hotel management company operating online travel booking site 128trip and hotel management subsidiary Hotel PURE, reported that it has added five GREEN certified hotels in Costa Rica to its Hotel PURE portfolio. Following the addition of a new eco-friendly brand, Hotel PURE GREEN, which debuted on August 20, 2008, the company has added five new hotels, which are GREEN certified or participating in the government of Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), to its Hotel PURE offerings. With the recent migration of a large number of vacation tourists...

MOUNT PROSPECT, ILL.—ESCO Institute announces the release of Green Awareness, a new publication that provides a basic understanding of green concepts, terminologies, systems, and the latest in green mechanical technology. Every day the word “Green” enters our lives. We read about it in the news, we see it on TV and we hear about it on the radio, but what is it and how does it affect us? When it comes to mechanicals, (HVAC/R, plumbing and electrical) “Green” means maximizing the energy efficiency of existing equipment, specifying the most efficient systems available for the application and the available...

PARSIPPANY, N.J. —Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, is expanding its environmental efforts through a “Global Green Day” event and the appointment of Faith Taylor as vice president, Sustainability and Innovation. “Global Green Day” will take place in Wyndham Worldwide offices around the globe including U.S. locations in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.; Indianapolis; Springfield, Miss.; Las Vegas; Parsippany, N.J.; Aberdeen, S.D.; Johnson City, Tenn.; and Redmond, Wash. International locations include: Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The event will include educational components on the WyndhamGreen program, access to eco-friendly...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—GE Consumer & Industrial is offering two new tools for establishing an incandescent-like mood with its more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps: dimmable 15-watt and 26-watt Spiral CFLs that can replace 60-watt and 100-watt incandescent bulbs used in table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and other screw-base fixtures. The new Spiral CFLs work with most standard dimmer switches and incandescent sockets, dimming to 20 percent of maximum light output. Each features a soft white color and 10,000-hour rated life. “Our dimmable CFLs offer features that users have enjoyed for years in incandescent bulbs, but with the outstanding energy efficiency, low...

ROCKLIN, CALIF.—SMA America, Inc., the United States division of global solar technology giant SMA Solar Technology AG, has launched www.Solar-is-Future.com. This user-friendly, educational website explains how solar energy can be harvested and utilized via animation, illustrations and descriptions in easy-to-understand language. At Solar-is-Future.com, visitors can research the benefits of solar power and how the sun’s abundant, clean energy can be collected through active and passive solar power systems. “SMA America is very excited about the launch of Solar-is-Future.com,” says Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America. “Now there is a one-stop, online solar resource where visitors can learn...

PANAMA CITY, FLA.—The Sugar Cane Paper Company, the largest manufacturer and distributor of bagasse-made, “treeless” paper goods in the world, announces the availability of bagasse-made napkins, toilet paper, tissue and paper towels; making it the only company with this complete line of eco-friendly products in the U.S. marketplace. Bagasse is the fibrous residue left over in the sugar-making process after the sugar cane has been crushed and the sugar extracted. All of The Sugar Cane Paper Company’s paper products are from recycled materials—85 percent is recycled waste (bagasse) and the remaining 15 percent, recycled paper. Sugar Cane Paper Company...

MORGANVILLE, N.J.—RoomService Amenities (RSA) introduces Green from NATÜRA. This toiletry collection features bottles made primarily from Plastarch Material (PSM), a corn-based biodegradable material and other environmentally sensitive packaging. After years of research in an attempt to find an alternative to plastic amenity bottles, RSA has partnered with advanced manufacturers to develop a process that successfully converts corn starch into a material that integrates the rigidity, toughness and elasticity of traditional plastic. Using PSM significantly reduces environmental impact and promotes a sustainable future. Plastarch Material (PSM), a biodegradable resin made from corn starch, is designed to supplement or replace conventional petroleum-based...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes the Waterless Company as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Waterless Company manufactures Waterless No-Flush™ urinal systems and has been in operation since 1991. Headquartered in Vista, Calif., the company manufactures plumbing products for the institutional, commercial and industrial markets worldwide. Waterless recently introduced a line of soybean urinals. They are made from approximately 30 percent soybean resin, which is a naturally sustainable resource. There is no difference in appearance, function, or maintenance with the soybean systems compared to other waterless urinals. The difference is purely...