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,...

PASO ROBLES, CALIF.—Nature’s Reward, a new line of compostable bags manufactured and marketed by Lindamar Industries, Inc., an ISO 9001-2008 certified, California-based plastic packaging manufacturer, recently received the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) ASTM-D6400 certification, proving 100 percent biodegradability.BPI, a national authority on approved biodegradable products in organics diversion programs, tests compostable products in approved, independent labs to verify that they meet certain standards developed by leading scientists, resin producers and the composting industry. These standards—American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6400 and D6868—“scientifically prove a material will biodegrade, leaving no persistent synthetic residues,” according to the association.BPI granted...

DEARBORN, MICH.—Boxed Water is Better, the sustainable boxed water company, announced that the adoba Eco Hotel & Suites Brand, the eco-friendly independent hotel brand with a commitment to green responsible design, has added its single-serve, boxed water product to its 773-guestroom Dearborn, Mich. location. The hotel selected Boxed Water because of the product’s focus on sustainability, environmental awareness and its distinct package design.The Boxed Water container is more sustainable than plastic bottled water, with more than 75 percent of its packaging derived from renewable resources. The trees used to make Boxed Water come from certified, well-managed forests. These forests...

LISLE, ILL.—Air Cycle Corp. has released the next generation of its Bulb Eater lamp crushing machine—The Bulb Eater 3 with Intelli Technology. In less than one second, The Bulb Eater 3 system crushes spent fluorescent lamps of any length, u-tubes, and CFLs into 100 percent recyclable material, while capturing more than 99.99 percent of the vapors released.The system, which is mounted to a 55-gallon drum, can hold up to 1350 4’ fluorescent lamps. A five-stage filtering process removes hazardous particulates and vapors. A recent study showed non-detectable levels of emitted mercury vapor even after crushing 1,700 lamps. A digital...

GUIYANG, CHINA—Johnson Controls, a leader in building technology and services, recently helped Hyatt Regency Guiyang become Hyatt Group’s first hotel in China to achieve gold certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, New Construction (LEED-NC Gold). Peter Templeton, vice president of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and Nellie Cheng, China director of USGBC, officially awarded the certification to Qiao Gencai, general manager of Hyatt Regency Guiyang.“Zhongtian Group promotes a sustainable lifestyle, builds green cities, practices energy conservation and reduces emissions in our work to develop western China,” said Luo Yuping, chairman of Zhongtian Urban Development Group and...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes EndInMind Design as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. EndInMind Design’s RecyclerSack reinvents in-room recycling through unique engagement with hospitality guests via fine art. When placed prominently in properties’ rooms, guests will be encouraged and reminded to recycle the water/beverage bottles, etc. that they’ve accumulated during their stay. This pre-sorting will reduce a property’s associated labor costs at the back-of-house, and the increased guest participation in recycling will translate into reduced waste-hauling fees. RecyclerSack customers also receive social media support to share a property’s innovative approach...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a Protect-A-Bed case study to its website. The case study details how the Hilton Chicago Northbrook is benefiting from having its 390 mattresses encased by Protect-A-Bed Allerzip Smooth mattress encasements.With a busy hotel and a frequent, repeat client base, General Manager Holly Allgauer-Cir said she is continually looking for ways to exceed guests’ expectations. So, last January, Allgauer-Cir chose to take the hotel’s sustainability plan one step further by proactively encasing the property’s mattresses.“It just made sense on so many levels,” Allgauer-Cir says. “With the number...

MANKATO, MINN.—All that’s left is the waiting for the official plaque from the U.S. Green Building Council. When it arrives the Courtyard Mankato Minnesota will become the first hotel in the Gopher State to receive LEED certification. Considering all of the property’s green features, the honor will be well deserved. The 93-room property, about a year old, is owned by Mercury Investments L.P. Preston Lougheed is the general manager.“As far as we know we are the first Marriott in the United States to have solar panels,” Lougheed says. “It was a big investment.” The 40 kW, 192 panel system...