MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—Concept Amenities, a provider of environmentally responsible guest bath amenities, has established an independent charity known as Soap Aid. Aimed at saving millions of lives worldwide, Soap Aid will address one of the most critical needs facing our planet today—the lack of soap in third world countries—resulting in millions of unnecessary deaths; more often children.Concept Amenities plans to unveil this ambitious humanitarian effort during a luncheon for hospitality leaders at the 12th Annual Australia, New Zealand, & Pacific Hotel Industry Conference (ANZPHIC) July 25 to 27 at the Hilton Sydney.“Across the globe, 2.6 billion impoverished people lack adequate...

THE PUEBLO OF SANTA ANA, N.M.—The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, located on the Pueblo of Santa Ana between Santa Fe and Albuquerque in New Mexico, has been named the Organics Recycler of the Year by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition. The award recognizes individuals, business, and communities that work to reduce waste and support recycling and composting in New Mexico. The resort was named the Organics Recycler of the Year for its green and eco-friendly initiatives including its green team, a group of associates dedicated to making environmentally conscious decisions for the resort. The green team works to...

NATIONAL REPORT—At the Bardessono in Yountville, Calif., wood from reclaimed Claro walnut and Bay laurel trees form desks and doors. At the new Jekyll Island Convention Center in Jekyll Island, Ga., reclaimed pine from South Georgia was used to create the flooring in the Ben Porter Salon event room. When the Hotel Vermont opens next April in Burlington, Vt., the hotel lobby will feature reclaimed antique red oak flooring. Using reclaimed wood in flooring, furniture and for other uses is becoming increasingly common in projects as more suppliers collect and revitalize this wood from sources ranging from deconstructed barns...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership and a brand of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp., announces a partnership with Clean the World Foundation, Inc. Clean the World recycles partially used bars of soap and bottled amenities from resorts in the United States and distributes the new soap and hygiene kits to communities that lack access to these essential items.Each day 9,000 children around the world die from diseases such as acute respiratory illness and diarrheal diseases which can be prevented by washing with soap. Clean the World has a mission to put soap in the hands of...

FRESNO, CALIF.—The VA Medical Center has selected the Hospitality Battery Holder for all of its AD Series (Schlage) electronic locks. By doing so the VA Medical Center, located in Fresno, San Joaquin Valley, Calif., has become the first hospital in its local category to utilize these products.The VA Medical Center is affiliated with the University of California School Of Medicine. They will be discontinuing the expensive wrap-around battery packs and will save on the battery replacements to power their electronic locking system.The Hospitality Battery Holders can be used with alkaline or rechargeable batteries without compromising the function of the...

LAS VEGAS—For the second consecutive year, Caesars Entertainment Corp. is sponsoring Dartmouth College’s Big Green Bus tour across America. The converted Greyhound bus, operated by students, will run on recycled waste vegetable oil (WVO) as it travels the country educating individuals on best sustainability practices. The 11-week, 12,000-mile journey will take the 13 students across 24 states and will make refueling stops at Caesars resorts including Harrah’s Cherokee Casino (June 26), Harrah’s Tunica Casino (July 1), Harrah’s New Orleans Casino (July 3), Harrah’s Phoenix Ak-Chin Casino (July 14), Flamingo Las Vegas (July 19), Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Casino (July 24),...

HIGHLAND PARK, ILL.—The Houstonian Club & Spa made a commitment to sustainability three years ago with a comprehensive program addressing energy conservation, purchasing sustainable products, and waste reduction. Cher Harris, Club assistant general manager for the Houstonian Club & Spa, noted that the 14,000 members and 2,000 visits a day created challenges in diverting waste from the landfill. A survey among its members demonstrated a strong interest in recycling.The Houstonian is well known for its elegance and style sense and they were not about to add “blue plastic” recycling bins to their lobbies and other public spaces. They therefore...

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville, Inc., a domestic porcelain tile manufacturer based in Crossville, Tenn., announced the latest results of two of its recycling initiatives: the Tile Take-Back Program and the collaboration with TOTO USA. Both initiatives are based on Crossville’s proprietary process for recycling fired porcelain products, including post-consumer materials; this is a capability unique to the manufacturer.Between both Tile Take-Back and the TOTO USA partnership, Crossville has diverted 11.2 million pounds of fired porcelain from landfills during the last two years (as of April 30, 2012). All of the company’s U.S.-made products contain a minimum of 20 percent scrap fired...

CHICAGO—Interface was recently awarded Best of NeoCon honors for its new Urban Retreat modular carpet tile collection, celebrating its global launch at this year’s show. Urban Retreat, which explores the intersection of manmade and Mother Nature, earned Silver in the Carpet: Modular category.This year’s competition drew 325 entries in 40 product and furnishings categories, and was sponsored by Contract magazine, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and McMorrow Report.com.Urban Retreat was inspired by Biophilia—man’s innate attraction to nature. Designer and constant collaborator David Oakey drew from the growing global...

MORGANVILLE, N.J.—RoomService Amenities introduces its Sig|Natüra collection. It includes minimal packaging and a resealable Doypack option to traditional bottles. The Signature Natüra Collection includes: 20 ml easily recyclable PET cylinder bottles; 30 ml resealable Doypacks; three soap options; biodegradable shower cap; and deluxe travel bag. Originally created in 1962 by French inventor Louis Doyen, the unique eco-efficient Doypack is a resealable, stand alone pouch that utilizes 65 percent less plastic than a typical 30 ml bottle. This packaging offers several environmental benefits. The reduction in raw materials prevents unnecessary waste while creating a lighter weight product, allowing for more energy-efficient...