WESTON, MO—McCormick Distilling Co., Inc. has confirmed plans to introduce 360 Vodka, the world’s first “green” vodka, through its new division, Earth Friendly Distilling Co. 360 Vodka is a super premium brand designed to compete with the world’s finest vodkas. It’s the world’s first eco-friendly premium spirit. The introduction and rollout of 360 Vodka, which is currently under way, establishes a new paradigm in the distilled spirits industry, which is built around a complete philosophy and commitment to eco-awareness throughout the product development and packaging process. “We are proud to set a new standard in the distilled sprits industry,” says...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes the JMBM Global Hospitality Group® as a Founding Sponsor. The company represents developers, owners and lenders. Led by hotel lawyer Jim Butler, author of www.HotelLawBlog.com, the Global Hospitality Group® includes a team of 50 seasoned professionals with more than $40 billion of hotel transactional experience, involving more than 1,000 properties all over the world. In the last five years, Jim and his team have assisted clients with more than 100 hotel mixed-use projects, all of which involve multiple components and are frequently integrated with energizing lifestyle elements. Jim...

DIAMOND BAR, CALIF.—SteamSuite, a high-end steam shower manufacturer, has created an amenity that provides guests with a relaxing spa environment in the privacy of their own room, while also enabling hotels to save exponentially on their water bill while adding an up-charge to guests’ overall room charges. “Steam bathing is clinically proven to release toxins from the body, improve respiration and circulation, and ease tense muscles,” says SteamSuite president Jari Ristola. “The benefits of steam not only improve a guest’s experience at your hotel, but encourage them to return.” It is a fact that the steam shower is a more functional...

CHICAGO—Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a full line of commercial refrigeration systems, recently unveiled its optional MBWA-1 digital walk-in alarm and light management system. The new factory-installed MBWA-1 replaces less accurate mechanical thermometers, separate alarms and light switches with one convenient unit. It saves energy with its door open alarm as well as its internal light timer, which automatically switches off the light. It comes equipped with a number of features including high/low temperature alarms, light management and a panic alarm. An optional battery backup is also available. The MBWA-1 is designed to help eliminate the two biggest energy wasters on a...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—Neenah Paper Inc., a premium paper manufacturer, has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). CCX is the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary but legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. By joining CCX, Neenah Paper has not only committed to tracking and reporting carbon dioxide emissions, but also to achieving a 6 percent reduction by 2010 versus their baseline. CCX’s trading system establishes limits on overall emissions and sets company allowances for members. Businesses with emissions below their allowances can trade the remainder to other companies, whereas businesses that do not achieve their committed...

PHILADELPHIA—National Chemical Laboratories, Inc. has unveiled SHA-ZYME, a no-rinse daily cleaner and degreaser for use on porous hard surfaces such as concrete, quarry tile, ceramic tile, brick, or any grouted floor surface without floor finish or wax. Especially in kitchens and food preparation areas, SHA-ZYME removes grease and grime below the surface to make quarry tile floors (and grout) more slip resistant. SHA-ZYME removes breeding sites for unwanted pests (such as fruit flies) by dissolving organic waste on floors that attracts insects, creating a more sanitary condition in these areas. A specialized SMB (Synergized Multi-Blend) biologically engineered bacteria/enzyme combination continues...

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO—The San Juan Marriott has joined forces with Sustainable Travel International (STI) on its pioneering TravelGreen program, which will allow it to offer carbon neutral accommodations—the first hotel in Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, to do so. Carbon neutral means the point at which greenhouse gas emissions have been identified, measured, reduced where possible, and 100 percent of the remaining emissions have been offset through high quality renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. TravelGreen allows San Juan Marriott guests the opportunity to do something proactive and help offset greenhouse gas emissions. A typical one-night hotel stay...

KO OLINA, OAHU, HAWAII—The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina is the first property in Hawaii and one of the first in the nation to adopt the PURE system which creates an allergy-friendly environment. All of the hotel’s 13 guestrooms and Presidential Suite on its 17th (top) floor have been converted to the system, and indoor meeting facilities and the Ihilani Spa will be converted by the end of the year. The allergy-friendly environment can help ease respiratory problems, asthma and allergies that affect more than 70 million Americans. “By providing PURE allergy-friendly hotel rooms and conference...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—GE Consumer & Industrial introduces its new HIR Plus lamp. The company says it is the highest energy efficient PAR 38 in the marketplace as measured by lumens per watt (LPW). A new instrument for retailers and other commercial end–users fighting to reduce energy wastefulness—available in 45–, 48–, 54–, 60–, 67– and 83–watt spots and floods—the HIR Plus is designed to replace higher wattage, standard PAR 38 lamps while delivering as much as a 54 percent reduction in energy costs. Because the new GE lamps offer over two times the rated life of standard halogen lamps (4,200 hours...

LAGRANGE, GA.—Milliken Walk Off Mats, a global leader in manufacturing sustainable mat products, recently launched the mat industry’s first reclamation program during the Clean Show in Las Vegas. “Offering an end of product life option to reduce waste fits Milliken’s sustainable practices and quality customer care,” says Chris Brown, Milliken Walk Off Mats’ global business manager. Milliken offers an extensive range of mat products and services for the commercial, retail and rental markets in North America, Europe and Asia. The company has been the standard-bearer in mats for more than seven decades with an eco-heritage spanning more than 100 years....