CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF.—Bentley Prince Street announced that all of its standard broadloom and carpet tile products have achieved Scientific Certification Systems’ (SCS) Sustainable Choice Gold/Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) certification under the new Sustainable Carpet Assessment Draft Standard, NSF-140. This new draft standard for sustainable carpet replaces the previous EPP standard, to which all of Bentley Prince Street’s standard products were certified. In addition, all of the company’s standard broadloom products are certified to the stringent “California Gold” standard required for State of California carpet purchases. Also achieving California Gold certification are broadloom products using the optional Prestige...

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS—Royal Philips Electronics has been rated the top climber among the "Leading 50" companies in the latest biannual survey of leading practice in corporate sustainability reporting. Philips now ranks number 12 in the survey, up from 39 in 2004. Philips earned top scores in reporting on governance and strategy, illustrating that its efforts to embed sustainability throughout the organization are taking hold. In what it calls “The Corporate DNA test,” Tomorrow’s Value explains that “Philips describes how its business strategy links to work it is doing in different markets, and how it is innovating to improve...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—Universal Lighting Technologies introduces the latest addition to the Basic-12 family of ballasts with the B260IUNVHP for use with F96T12 and energy-saving F96T12ES lamps. This new Basic-12 ballast is designed to replace traditional magnetic T12 ballasts in existing or new fixtures while reducing energy consumption by more than 15 percent. Basic-12 ballasts provide the same amount of light as magnetic T12 ballasts with reduced operating costs and improved lamp performance. Plus, electronic ballasts are significantly quieter than their magnetic counterparts. Basic-12 ballasts fully comply with today’s new federal ballast efficiency requirements for installation into new fixtures as...

VANCOUVER—Florida’s Fairmont Turnberry Hotel has chosen Energex Inc. to design and build its proprietary guestroom energy management solution. “Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a leader in hotel management,” says Rami Y. Belson, president and c.e.o. of Energex Inc. “It is another solid vote of confidence in favor of our technology.” The Energex SentryWatt system is based on advanced passive infrared occupancy sensors which are installed in each guestroom and adjusts the temperature according to the room occupancy status. If guests leave the rooms with the HVAC running, the sensors automatically reset the room temperature to a more...

DENVER—Osram Sylvania announced that it has developed a business association with Veolia Environmental Services, the largest lamp and ballast recycler in North America, to provide environmentally responsible recycling alternatives. As a leader in environmentally preferable, energy-efficient lighting solutions, Osram is now expanding its range of lighting and recycling solutions by offering the sale of Recyclepak, Veolia’s proprietary recycling kit, through www.sylvania.com/recycle. Using the Recyclepak makes recycling easy for large or small quantities of spent lamps and ballasts. Prepaid packaging allows for a convenient way to manage lighting waste. One price includes everything needed for complete lamp and ballast...

ROSWELL, GA.—Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products has become an Energy Star Partner. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that helps businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products will use its Energy Star Partnership as part of its efforts to help commercial, institutional and industrial facilities improve their heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system energy performance. Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products supplies HVAC system air filter media with lower pressure drops than conventional air filtration media, which translates into reduced energy costs to operate the...

NEW YORK—As an antidote for the jet-lagged road warrior, Philips Electronics debuted The Stumble Light at the International Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Show in New York City. This motion-activated device lights a path from the bed to the bathroom with only enough light to enable a safe journey, but without the bright light that usually results in total alertness. The Stumble Light is designed primarily for hotel applications and will be available during the first quarter of 2007. “We were investigating potential products that would simplify the hotel experience, and our research quickly focused on the business executive who...

CINCINNATI—Procter & Gamble (P&G) Professional, in cooperation with Homewood Suites by Hilton and the National Coalition for the Homeless have combined efforts to donate freshly laundered, hotel-quality sheets to homeless shelters across the United States through their “Mission S.O.F.T.” program. This program provides homeless persons with a way to “Start Out Fresh Today.” “When people donate to homeless organizations, they typically think of the obvious necessities including clothing, food and toiletries,” says Michael Stoops, acting director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. “Sheets are an often overlooked necessity that many shelters need and want.” The three...

ALSIP, ILL.—Litetronics International introduces its Micro-Brite BR30 cold cathode compact fluorescent lamps. These 8-watt bulbs directly replace incandescents up to 65 watts, saving as much as 88 percent in energy costs. Low-wattage Micro-Brite BR30 lamps deliver brighter, higher color temperature light while reducing energy consumption. Micro-Brite BR30 lamps are designed for indoor or outdoor use in table lamps, recessed cans, general area lighting, signage and most medium-based lighting fixtures. Cold cathode technology allows Micro-Brite BR30s full dimming and flashing without shortening the life of the bulb. The extended 18,000-hour life is 18 to 20 times longer than the...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—A new product from Minibar Systems combines cutting-edge technology, upgradeability, eco-friendly materials, upscale design, and a strong in-room retail profit potential for hoteliers. Smartcube is designed to give hoteliers maximum flexibility in all areas of minibar operations. Smartcube features Peltier cooling systems, glass door designs with sensors for products, unlimited product choices and the unique ability to upgrade the technology, modify the configuration and change the look at any time. Smartcube is manufactured to the technical specifications of the industry and is available in both insertable and stand-alone models. To enhance visibility and guest usage, an...