CHICAGO—The Ashkin Group has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as an official Educational Provider. It is the first time the USGBC has selected a member of the cleaning industry as an official Education Provider. The Ashkin Group was acknowledged for its half-day program entitled, “Solving the Green Cleaning Puzzle.” The material and interactive activities enable participants to gain a more thorough knowledge of green cleaning in both practice and application. The Education Provider Program (EPP) facilitates access to high quality professional development courses in order to further enrich the knowledge and understanding of green building theory,...

DALLAS—In the current North American hospitality market, an estimated 18 million traditional plastic keycards are discarded by hotels and their guests every week, ultimately ending up in landfills across the continent. Additionally, experts say the industry could save as many as 9 million batteries each year by switching to more energy efficient locking systems. With this in mind, VingCard, a leading hospitality security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group, is introducing new eco-friendly initiatives to support hoteliers’ efforts to go green. Innovative recycled keycards are now available to VingCard customers, and one unique guestroom door lock not...

BURBANK, CALIF.—A new Steril-Zone room air purifier that uses a three-stage process to clean the air in rooms up to 1,000 square feet is now available from Steril-Aire, Inc. Safe and ozone-free, the portable air purifier is the first to incorporate the company’s multi-patented and award-winning UVC Emitter to clean the air of bacteria, mold and viruses. The UVC lamp combines with a high efficiency air filter and long-life carbon filter to remove all three categories of indoor air pollutants and irritants—particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and microorganisms—for enhanced control of allergens, dust and odors in hotel environments. Steril-Zone’s germicidal...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Three hospitality industry veterans have come together to form Atlantis Hospitality Group, giving hotel investment groups and developers a full-service consulting resource with more than 100 years of combined experience in providing cost-effective solutions to specific hotel operational needs. The Atlantis Hospitality consultants—Ray Hobbs (senior vice president for Kelco Management and Development), Ray Burger (founder and president of Pineapple Hospitality) and Diane Bogino (president of Performance Strategies, Inc.)—bring specialized expertise in all facets of hotel and resort management, including turn-key operational support, sales development, marketing programs, asset management, franchise alignment and temporary hotel management. “In the past couple of...

LAS VEGAS—Harrah’s Operating Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., and NativeEnergy, an international marketer of high quality carbon offsets and renewable energy credits (RECs), announced an agreement to provide Harrah’s guests the opportunity to mitigate the global warming impact of their travel to Harrah’s managed resorts by purchasing carbon offsets from new renewable energy projects. “We are continually looking for innovative environmentally sustainable practices to implement throughout our portfolio of 40 domestic properties,” said Gary Loveman, chairman, CEO and president of Harrah’s Entertainment. “Environmental stewardship is an important component of our Code of Commitment, the casino entertainment industry’s...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand announces the launch of RoHS-compliant occupancy sensors as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the environment. Specifiers, building owners and contractors who select these lighting controls can be assured that they are helping reduce the amount of hazardous waste that will enter the environment, in addition to achieving energy savings. RoHS is the European Union’s (EU) directive on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU market. It addresses the use of four heavy metals and two flame retardants used in plastics. RoHS compliance requires the design, or redesign,...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Environmentally-conscious furniture design company Maria Yee, Inc. marked its first shipment of select products made with 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified hardwood last month. “Five years ago our China factories started looking into using hardwood that was FSC-certified,” said Maria Yee, president. “To finally have our efforts validated by such a well-respected organization is incredibly gratifying.” The FSC is an international organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. Maria Yee began researching FSC certification in 2003 while the FSC was working with Chinese authorities on certification matters. During that time, Maria Yee continued to enforce...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes American Window Film as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. American Window Film, Inc., a 3M Authorized Window Film Dealer serving 50 states, offers window films that meet Energy Star and LEED energy efficiency and sustainability guidelines. 3M™ Window Films reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use by reducing heat loss, heat gain and energy consumption. Call (508) 549-0300. For additional information, call (508) 549-0300, e-mail pjd@americanwindowfilm.com, or go to www.americanwindowfilm.com.

WINCHESTER, VA.—Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), a leader in innovative, durable facility maintenance solutions, introduces its new line of Metal Housekeeping Carts that offer expanded capacity in a compact footprint. “Rubbermaid’s Metal Housekeeping Carts deliver immediate benefits: they save time, money and help ensure worker well-being,” said Bob Lauer, product manager for Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “With this new line, hospitality professionals have the option to customize carts with accessories that allow for maximum productivity and efficiency while reducing worker fatigue.” The Metal Housekeeping Carts allow for increased productivity with their expanded capacity. Cart accessories include the patent-pending removable, mobile 34-gallon fabric...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Caroma as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Caroma is a leading producer of high efficiency dual flush toilets. Averaging 0.9 gallons per flush (gpf), Caroma’s WaterSense-approved Smart Technology toilets provide water savings up to 44 percent compared to 1.6 gpf and 74 percent compared to 3.5 gpf toilets. The toilets are also available in Elongated and Easy Height (ADA height). With large trapways, Caroma toilets are virtually unblockable. Caroma is also a producer of bathroom sinks, urinals and toilet seats. For additional information, call (800) 605-4218,...