WASHINGTON, D.C.—An emerging online waste removal sourcing agent and management system is tackling the concerns of home and business owners who want to reduce waste and implement a green waste program for their infrastructures. Grid Waste, started by D.C. entrepreneur Walker Lunn (founder of Envirelation, a D.C. composting service provider serving businesses throughout the D.C. metropolitan area), is connecting waste generators nationwide, with green waste haulers. Co-mingled recycling, single-stream recycling, paper and cardboard recycling and even organic recycling/composting are made available via the website’s interface. Understanding today’s society and its increased awareness of the ecosystem, Grid Waste hopes to...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville, Inc. has launched SpeakEasy, a porcelain tile collection offering the look of authentic, old barn wood interpreted in a range of contemporary, large format plank sizes. With its modern take on time-worn wood’s appearance and texture, this line is designed for ease in selling, design and specification as an alternative to traditional hardwoods.According to Crossville’s V.P. of Marketing Lindsey Waldrep, the name of the product reflects Crossville’s intention to present a product that reinvents the wood look and is very simple to work with across commercial and residential markets.“SpeakEasy is all about ease of selection...a great option...

BRANDENBURG, KY.—If you are staying at the Southern Grace Bed & Breakfast in Brandenburg, Ky., and can’t finish your tasty breakfast, don’t even think about throwing your food scraps in the trash. The approximately 70 chickens—free range chickens—will be more than happy to eat what you cannot. According to Theresa Padgett, owner of the 15-acre B&B with her husband David, all food scraps are either fed to the chickens or composted. The plate-to-chicken approach to waste management is just one of the ways the B&B owners work to lighten their property’s impact on the planet. In the garden that...

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y.—Rubicon Global, a leading provider of sustainable waste and recycling solutions, and BioHitech America, a leader in the development of food waste disposal technology, have teamed up to add BioHitech America’s (BHA) Eco-Safe Digester and BioHitech Cloud to Rubicon Global’s arsenal of green technological tools.It is estimated that as much as 34 million tons of food waste are sent to landfills in the United States each year. Given the momentum of statewide policies requiring food waste recycling, the message of burying food waste in landfills being no longer a sustainable or acceptable solution is being heard loud...

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y.—BioHitech America, a leading provider of organic waste solutions and the exclusive distributor of the Eco-Safe Digester, a food waste management solution, recently closed its second round of funding led by Penn Venture Partners LP, a venture capital fund located in Harrisburg, Pa.CEO Frank E. Celli welcomed this investment and pointed to the recent groundbreaking action by New York City. “We are glad to see the world’s greatest city advancing its efforts towards zero waste with the recently passed legislation. Our staff played a significant role in the inclusion of aerobic, point of generation systems like our...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes The Mustard Seed of Central Florida as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Since 2011, The Mustard Seed Recycle program has deconstructed more than 120,000 mattresses, saving more than 720,000 cubic yards of landfill space, reducing dump expenses and protecting the environment. This recycling produced bales of toppers, foam, shredable metal and mulched wood generating income to fund the furniture and clothing program.The Mustard Seed is the only furniture and clothing bank in Central Florida. Call (407) 875-2040, ext. 113 to get a quote for recycling...

BOSTON—The Patrick Administration announced final statewide commercial food waste disposal ban regulations to take effect on October 1, 2014. The ban will divert food waste to energy-generating and composting facilities and reduce the Commonwealth’s waste stream. “We are committed to protecting our natural resources and creating jobs as the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy grows,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “The disposal ban is critical to achieving our aggressive waste disposal reduction goals and it is in line with our commitment to increase clean energy production.” The ban, regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), will...

TAMPA, FLA.—Prem Thomas introduces its Guru Sandals, taking inspiration from the ancient wood methiyedi (meth-ee-yed-ee) sandal. Using primarily natural rubber, Guru sandals are biodegradable and much better for the environment than traditional flip-flops or sandals. Because Gurus come from trees, the brand will plant a tree in India for every pair sold. The traditional Indian toe post design makes Gurus more comfortable than flip-flops. Straps adjust to any ankle and foot size with an easy twist.Go to Guru Sandals.

GURNEE, ILL.—KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort has been honored with the StayGreen designation from the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) for its continued efforts to proactively use eco-friendly products and services to reduce its impact on the environment.IHLA’s StayGreen designation standards are extensive and specific. Environmentally friendly efforts outlined in the StayGreen questionnaire include efforts such as recycling and waste management programs, the use of Energy Star products throughout guestrooms and hotel, the use of only non-phosphate, nontoxic, biodegradable concentrated cleaning products and laundry detergent, and consumable paper products made from recycled fibers, such as tissue, napkins, paper...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Refinishing Touch has released a three-year snapshot of furniture asset management and refinishing trends from 2011 to 2013 as it prepares for growth in 2014.“Our proximity to brands and institutions through many completed refinishing, upholstery and remanufacturing projects and a broad client base gives us the opportunity to analyze furniture asset management trends and to ensure we maintain a strong vision as we head into 2014 and our 37th year in business,” said Mario Insenga, founder and president of The Refinishing Touch.Key trends from January 2011 to 2013 that emerged from data analyzed by The Refinishing Touch,...