MINNEAPOLIS—Zip Express Installation, the first nationwide next-day option for electronics installation, announces the availability of its consumer electronics removal and disposal service. Zip Express provides the only service where technicians remove recyclable electronic items and take them to a certified recycling location. “When handled properly, electronic waste is a valuable source for secondary raw materials,” said Chris Mauzy, president and CEO of Zip Express. “If not, it’s a major source of toxins and carcinogens. Currently, consumers have the option to either move their major electronics to the curb for pickup, or haul it themselves to a recycling center....

LAS VEGAS—Concept Amenities has introduced Ideology, a unique range of hotel guest amenities that cater to skin allergy sufferers. The collection reflects the global trend toward catering to environmentally conscious consumers. The brand has been designed to suit all individuals by providing a range of gentle skincare that targets growing consumer concerns. Formulations in this range have been designed to suit people who suffer from allergic reactions to skin and hair products. This is a very common condition that partly developed from the abundance of chemical ingredients found in many formulations in both guest amenities and retail brands. However, when...

ATLANTA—The Rittenhouse, a AAA Five Diamond luxury hotel on Rittenhouse Square in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, has selected The Refinishing Touch, a world leader in providing environmentally-safe, on-site furniture refinishing and re-upholstery services, to refinish more than 700 pieces of furniture in its 98 rooms. While planning an upgrade of the televisions in its guestrooms, The Rittenhouse discovered that the rooms’ existing armoires would be unable to house new 42-inch screens. Rather than go to the expense and waste of replacing them, the hotel worked with The Refinishing Touch to modify the armoires by removing the top of each...

LAS VEGAS—NaturesCast, Inc. of Las Vegas, a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council, has entered the U.S. hospitality market with a line of chic and modern furniture, and décor accessories made from agro-forest waste. A Filipino-based eco-friendly master furniture and décor accessories manufacturer, NaturesCast functional and artistic décor products are unique in that they are constructed from agro-forest waste including dry leaves, dead twigs and barks from the forests around Compostela, Province of Cebu, Philippines. The collected materials are shredded through a special machine and bonded together using an odorless water-based binder and then shaped into a variety of unique...

CINNAMINSON, N.J.—Quickie Manufacturing Corp., the largest maker of cleaning tools in the United States and inventor of the Automatic Sponge Mop, has unveiled “Green and It’s Clean,” a line of eco-friendly cleaning tools. Made from recycled, natural and sustainable materials, these new “green” cleaning tools are designed to enhance cleaning while protecting the environment by reducing landfill and the need for harsh chemicals. The “Green and It’s Clean” line of cleaning tools, which consists of stick goods like mops and brooms, and smallwares such as scrub brushes, utility and dish brushes, etc., is made in two distinct eco-friendly variations. ...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Pacific Hospitality Design, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Pacific Hospitality Design manufactures quality custom furniture and furnishings for the hospitality and high end residential industries. Pacific Hospitality Design has made a long term commitment toward sustainable manufacturing in seating and case goods. Products are manufactured in various species of kiln-dried Forest Stewardship Council lumber. The company also offers kirei board and kirei bamboo for exposed areas as an optional design element. Other components include: foam which is a 100 percent recycled rebound material, upholstery...

INDIANAPOLIS—Continuing its dedication to water conservation and energy efficiency, Delta Faucet Co. announced that it has added a water-efficient showerhead to its product line. Designed with the hospitality industry in mind, The Water-Efficient Showerhead with H2Okinetic Technology uses only 1.6 gallons of water per minute (gpm) as opposed to the standard 2.5 gpm, while still delivering a superior shower experience. H2Okinetic Technology provides greater control over the showering experience by managing the water droplet size and velocity, spray coverage and thermal dynamics. Its water-conserving properties deliver the feeling of a standard showerhead at a lower flow. Standard showers deliver 2.5...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Roebic Laboratories as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Roebic Laboratories manufactures a full line of natural cleaners and treatments for drains, grease traps and plumbing. Roebic products contain patented bacterial cultures that produce powerful enzymes to eliminate fat, grease, oil and soap without using toxic chemicals. Roebic’s products help meet environmental standards. For additional information, call (203) 795-1283, e-mail lgifford@roebic.com, or go to www.roebic.com.

APPLE VALLEY, MINN.—The new Climate Control Zoning System from Uponor uses the latest wireless technology for complete radiant control in every room of a building—offering users a system that is more convenient to control and requires less time for contractors to set up and install. “When designing the new Climate Control Zoning System, we wanted to offer our customers a convenient way to control room temperatures while providing a system that would be faster and easier to install,” says Mark Hudoba, senior product manager, Heating and Cooling, at Uponor. “By eliminating the hassle and expense of running thermostat wires through...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Control4 Corp. and LG Electronics announced plans to co-develop an integrated automation system for HDTV sets that will allow hotel guests to control lighting, room temperature, draperies and entertainment systems through the television with a single remote control. The companies are collaborating on a card, based on the proven Control4 Operating System, which will be integrated with LG Electronics’ hospitality HDTVs via their unique interface port—eliminating the need for a separate controller box. “Integrating our automation operating platform with LG hospitality TVs represents a new chapter for Control4 and the industry,” said Will West, chief executive officer...