SYOSSET, N.Y.—Emerald Brand announced a strategic partnership with Totally Green, producer of the ORCA Anaerobic Aerobic digestion machine. This alliance will allow Emerald Brand, a provider of more than 230 sustainable disposable products, to deliver Totally Green's ORCA organic digesting solution to its foodservice and facility clients and help sites in New York City become compliant with the new food waste and Styrofoam laws that are set to take effect this July 2015. The ORCA machine digests organic food waste, turning it into nutrient rich water and virtually eliminates organic food waste from corporate foodservice environments, restaurants, food manufacturers and...

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.—Pilot Pen has developed the Bottle to Pen (B2P) Line of writing instruments, which are the world’s first pens made from recycled plastic water bottles. The plastic from one bottle can be used to create approximately two B2P pens.“Although most Americans drink bottled water, they really do feel guilty about it,” said Ariann Langsam, Director of Marketing for Pilot Pen. “It’s our shared responsibility to be good stewards of our planet and do our part to protect the environment. A simple way to do this is working to recycle more often and using products that leave a greener...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—Commercial foodservice and plumbing product manufacturer T&S Brass and Bronze Works announced that the National Restaurant Assn. has bestowed its coveted Kitchen Innovations Award on the company’s new EnviroPure ozone recirculation option. Designed to eliminate the need to add fresh water during the organic food waste disposal system’s digestive process, the ozone recirculation option relies instead on water that is naturally extracted from food waste as it processes through the system.EnviroPure’s system breaks down food waste in just 24 hours through a combination of mechanical processing and aerobic decomposition. An all-natural, micronutrient additive accelerates the digestive process,...

MONTEREY, CALIF.—The Portola Hotel & Spa partnered with the Monterey Regional Airport to celebrate Earth Day. Today, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Portola Hotel & Spa staff were stationed at the Monterey Regional Airport Baggage Claim area to give away reusable bags made of 100 percent recycled materials. The phrase “I used to be a plastic bottle” was printed across the reusable bags as a friendly reminder of the utility that comes with recycling. Portola Hotel & Spa will also be giving out reusable bags to guests checking into the property on Earth Day while supplies last.“Portola Hotel...

HIGHLAND PARK, ILL.—Steve Tilkin, Principal from T2 Site Amenities, spoke on the sustainability panel at the HI-Connect conference in Nashville last month. Joined by sustainability experts from Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott, it was agreed that sustainability has to be part of the “infrastructure” of any hotel property.Tilkin noted that offering recycling bins in the public spaces and guestrooms is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways for a hotel to demonstrate its “green credentials.” Moreover, 80 percent of guests participate in some level of sustainable practices when staying at a hotel. Not only do guests...

MCLEAN, VA.—Partnering with Clean the World, Hilton Worldwide has reaffirmed its global commitment to the recycling and redistribution of used soap and hygiene products to millions of people around the world. With more than 850 hotels currently participating in soap and amenity recycling, Hilton Worldwide properties have donated nearly 600,000 pounds of soap, which have been converted into more than one million new bars to help prevent hygiene-related deaths and illness.Since 2011, Hilton Worldwide has joined with key organizations on soap and amenity bottle recycling programs that help to reduce waste at properties while providing access to basic hygiene...

LAS VEGAS—Sterling Sleep Systems, a leader in the development of sustainable bedding solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that it will showcase its award-winning line of sustainable mattresses at HD Expo 2015, the leading conference for hospitality interior design, taking place at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, May 13 to 15, 2015. Visitors to Booth #1801 at this year’s event will learn about the unique advantages in cost savings, convenience, guest comfort and environmental responsibility that a sustainable mattress can provide.  “We look forward to taking part in this year’s HD Expo and in providing attendees with the opportunity to...

CHICAGO—The Langham, Chicago announced that it has achieved the LEED Gold level of certification. The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. “The Langham, Chicago’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach farther than ever before, and The Langham serves as a prime example of just how...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its outstanding efforts in food recovery. The entertainment and hospitality company received two national Food Recovery Challenge awards for reducing food waste and, in the process, conserving natural resources.“MGM’s zero waste leadership has turned mountains of food scraps into compost to help fight waste and climate change,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest.MGM Resorts and MGM Grand Las Vegas are two of the 32 recipients that received the 2014 Food Recovery Challenge Award, and the only recipients in Nevada. The award was...

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C.—Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) announces the release of Slim Jim Step-On refuse containers, the newest addition to RCP’s hands-free waste management portfolio. Designed to satisfy the diverse needs of any facility, the Slim Jim Step-On containers maximize space efficiency with a 20 percent smaller footprint and a slim profile ensuring a good fit in even the tightest spaces.   “The Slim Jim Step-On container is designed with a slimmer profile and fulfills a gap in the market for smarter, safer, aesthetic refuse containers,” said Kristine Sickels, Vice President of Marketing, RCP. “Foodservice, healthcare and commercial environments demand hands-free waste...