TULSA, OKLA.—Totally Green, Inc., a provider of organic food processing systems and compostable packaging alternatives, has partnered with Toronto-based York Plains Investment Corp. for a comprehensive program that involves both financing and a new marketing model for Totally Green's ORCA Green Machine. York Plains has agreed to provide $5 million of equity financing for a 50 percent interest in Totally Green. The proceeds will be used to pay down Totally Green’s existing line of credit, and fund the general, administrative and working capital expenditures required to support the Totally Green’s growth objectives. York Plains has also agreed to provide up...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Results of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2012 Lodging Survey provide strong evidence that the greening of the U.S. lodging industry is continuing. Funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) and conducted by STR, 52,155 U.S. hotel properties were polled in the survey that is conducted every two years. Similar data has been collected since 1988. There was a healthy response rate of 23 percent to this year’s survey.While most of the questions were repeated from previous years, there were new questions as well. For example, hoteliers were asked for the first time...

CONCORD, CALIF.—It got official as it can get earlier this year on June 5. It was on that day that the Hilton Concord in Concord, Calif., was designated the Sustainability Flagship by Interstate Hotels & Resorts in a proclamation released by the Office of the Mayor of the City of Concord. The 329-key hotel was selected by Interstate to be the green prototype of what could be rolled out across the company’s other five wholly-owned and managed hotels. “Our plan is to implement similar programs and technologies at our other five wholly-owned hotels as part of our annual planned capital...

WATERFORD, N.Y.—North America’s fourth largest producer of towel and tissue paper, Cascades Tissue Group, announced commercial line expansions of their Cascades Moka 100 percent recycled unbleached bathroom tissue offerings. In addition to the single roll offering, launched in January, Cascades Moka is now available in jumbo rolls (9-inch) and a high capacity format for Cascades Tandem dispensers. The larger formats provide more options to use the product in existing dispensers that are intended for less frequent stocking.Beige in appearance, Cascades Moka offers the highest hygienic qualities and softness while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing a highly...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Dover House Resort, a division of Landex Resorts International Inc., a vacation and timeshare condominium complex based in Delray Beach, Fla., has completed a refinishing and sustainability project led by The Refinishing Touch. The project involved refinishing guestroom furniture by updating wood colors and laminate replacements, including dining tables, nightstands, armoires, dressers, built-ins and headboards.The entire project was completed on-site to minimize environmental impact and reduce costs. This was achieved through The Refinishing Touch’s unique refinishing services and methods: a non-toxic, non-flammable, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) process that allows furniture to be refinished on-site with minimum...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has just added a new case study to its website. The case study focuses on Shaw Hospitality Group’s carpet recycling program—an effort that has resulted in more than 1 million pounds of carpet being reclaimed since 2009. Through key partnerships with major hoteliers such as La Quinta Inns & Suites, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Marriott and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, this 500 tons of reclaimed carpet has been diverted from U.S. landfills.The case study specifically addresses La Quinta Inns & Suites’ partnership with Shaw which since 2009 has resulted in 800,000 pounds of old carpet...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Food2Water as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Food Waste Liquefier is Food2Water’s new technology that converts food waste into water by using patented microorganisms. The microorganisms, which are used in the “ESL Series,” convert protein, fibroid material, and fatty oil into water. The ESL Series converts food waste into water within 24 hours. It can then be discharged through a connected drain pipe. The ESL Series can remove 40 percent to 70 percent of the cost of food waste disposal, while also protecting the...

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...