LAGRANGE, GA.—Interface has drawn on the natural beauty found in salvaged matter and materials for the design of its new Reclaim carpet tiles. The 25cm x 1m skinny plank series echoes the look of worn, weathered wood, lending interiors a feeling that’s both warm and inviting yet completely modern. Constructed of 100 percent recycled content fiber that combines reclaimed carpet fiber with salvaged fishing nets, Reclaim remains true to its name and at the same time is in lockstep with the company’s Mission Zero promise to eliminate any negative impact is has on the environment by the year 2020....

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association (NRA) named LeanPath Inc., creators of automated food waste monitoring systems, as a preferred supplier of its Conserve sustainability program. LeanPath provides systems which enable foodservice professionals to dramatically reduce food waste, lower food costs and operate more sustainable facilities.  “As part of our Conserve Program, NRA provides tips and tools for restaurant operators looking to minimize food waste to run a more sustainable operation,” said Jeff Clark, Conserve Program Director. “Preventing food waste has a triple-line bottom impact: environmental, social and financial. As a program collaborator, LeanPath will help us connect operators with...

NEW ORLEANS—The world’s largest sustainable building conference, The Greenbuild Conference and Expo, featuring the first “net zero” exhibit space, was held in New Orleans, October 22 to 24, with 23,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors.The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center helped Greenbuild set up the first “net zero” exhibit space by utilizing the building’s balcony as the location for solar generated panels that powered an on-site microgrid, generating power to the exhibit booths. The Net Zero Zone showcased how booths in the exhibit hall can unplug from the utility grid and operate totally on power generated by solar...

TORONTO—Totally Green recently won a Green Product Award from the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association for its unique and environmentally friendly Organic Refuse Conversion Alternative (ORCA) machine. The ORCA converts food waste into harmless water on-site at the business establishment. This cuts waste disposal costs, while eliminating pollution from landfill sites and garbage trucks. “We’re pleased to be recognized as a leading-edge organic waste solution provider,” said Shawn Dym, CEO, Totally Green.The ORCA “digests” organic food waste—up to 2,400 pounds (more than 1 ton) per day. The process is simple: Users drop the food waste into the...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Ebola cases continue to rise “frighteningly quickly” in parts of Sierra Leone, according to a report from The Africa Governance Initiative (AGI). As transmission accelerates in some areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that hand washing frequently with soap and water is one of the best ways to protect against Ebola. Clean the World is supporting infection-control measures in West Africa by shipping 5 million bars of soap to the region.Operation Soap Blitz is a new Clean the World campaign with the goal of reducing the spread of viral diseases both overseas and in North...

More than 34 million tons of food waste are sent to landfills annually and the hospitality industry is a significant contributor. The recent trend of jurisdictions implementing food waste restrictions and bans is making sustainable alternatives no longer just a social responsibility; but a mandatory requirement. The good news is some successful back-of-the-house programs can help increase profitability and subsidize the front-of-the-house improvements. The hospitality industry consumes a large volume of food and beverage through in-house restaurants, catering, buffets, and guestroom services. In some cases, hotel guests have been known to produce approximately two pounds of food waste per night...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The ultimate holiday viewing experience will come to life at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte this year, as a brilliantly colorful winter wonderland is set to occupy the entire hotel lobby level beginning Thanksgiving Day. Highlighted by a larger-than-life, often edible series of seven Holiday Sweet Scenes, the vibrantly walkable tour of every child’s holiday fantasies will feature the world’s largest croquembouche pastry tree standing eight feet in edible height; a 12-foot-tall holiday tree made of 8,000 hand-crafted French macarons; a whimsical 10-foot-tall gingerbread house offering its own charming clock tower; two glistening, eight-foot-tall upside-down trees suspended from the lobby...

BELLEVUE, WASH.—Republic Services announced the addition of 14 new compressed natural gas (CNG) solid waste and recycling trucks to serve customers throughout the greater Puget Sound area. This addition brings the total number of CNG trucks operated by Republic in the area to 109. The new CNG trucks replace older diesel-powered trucks, and represent a significant local investment in cleaner, safer and more efficient vehicles.“The Pacific Northwest is known for its pristine environment and considerable natural beauty, and we believe in doing our part to preserve this for future generations,” said Mike Huycke, Area President of Republic Services. “We...

BANGKOK—Green tourism has become an important trend in recent years, with travelers and hospitality operators alike all doing their best to minimize the impact that tourism can have on the environment.Centara Grand Beach Resort &Villas Krabi, which is set directly on the beach in a small bay that can only be reached by boat or along a pathway through the national park that surrounds the resort is especially aware of its environmental responsibilities. Last year it was awarded EarthCheck Silver Certification for its environmental management programs.As part of the resort’s ongoing commitment towards environmental responsibilities, Centara Grand Krabi has...

NEW YORK—The Waldorf Astoria, New York Hilton Midtown, and Carlton hotels have been honored for their environmentally friendly initiatives as recipients of the first ever Sustainability Awards, presented yesterday by the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) at the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show held at the Javits Center.The Hotel Association of NYC’s Sustainability Committee offered awards in three categories: Environmental Protection, awarded to the New York Hilton Midtown for its comprehensive green building efficiency program; Social Responsibility, awarded to the Carlton for its engagement with the community; and Holistic Strategy for Sustainable Hospitality, awarded to the...