CHICAGO—The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place’s approach to sustainability is not to make one big splash with one giant investment. Instead, says Roger Martin, director of engineering at the 800-room hotel, “Our focus is to do a lot of the little things that add up to one big green initiative.” That approach is definitely working. The hotel, which is part of the giant McCormick Place complex that attracts close to 3 million visitors annually, reduced its electricity consumption by 12.7 percent from 2009 to 2010 and its water consumption by 24.4 percent. Part of those reductions was a result of...

CONCORD, N.H.—More than 8 million pounds of greenhouse gases were eliminated last year as a result of energy efficient lighting implemented in 57 lodging businesses in New Hampshire.  That is the equivalent of 358 cars being taken off the road according to Michelle Veasey, manager of the New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program (NHSLRP). That is just the beginning. Those same businesses conserved more than 7 million gallons of water with water saving devices and guest-directed conservation programs. The NHSLRP asked certified green properties to recertify under a new application that allowed the program to calculate the impact of...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Ohio Mattress Recovery and Recycling as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Ohio Mattress Recovery and Recycling works with hotels, motels, colleges, universities and resorts to help them save money through mattress recycling. In 2010 the company helped divert more than 1 million pounds of mattresses from America’s landfills. Ohio Mattress Recovery and Recycling recycles up to 100 percent of the materials it receives. Ohio Mattress Recovery and Recycling provides pick-up, transportation, deconstruction, and recycling of mattresses for one fixed cost. Mattresses, which have a life span of...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Refinishing Touch, a leader in on-site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture refinishing, re-upholstering and armoire modification for private and public organizations, announced it completed more than 120 projects of refinishing and refurbishing with public and private organizations in 2010. Customers included hotels within the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), The Hilton Family of Brands, Marriott, and Radisson Hotels, as well as government agencies such as The United States Court of Appeals. The company also added Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-complaint TV recycling to its range of services in 2010. By the close of...

DALLAS—The Fairmont Dallas announces Sean Springer of Springer Design Studio as the first Artist in Residence of 2011. Springer crafts furniture, home accessories and sculptures using salvaged wood creating purposeful, functional pieces from materials that would otherwise end up as waste. Springer’s resume is a veritable journey through a series of high-profile internships and jobs, working for and learning from artists, each in a different craft, who shaped him and helped hone the skills that allow him to create poignant, consequential pieces. The deliberate edges, complimentary contours and fluid arches of Springer’s work are manifestations of his experience, which...

MONTEREY, CALIF.—Setting the bar for environmentally-conscious hotels in Central California, Portola Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of Monterey, was recently granted its Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Portola Hotel & Spa becomes one of only three hotels in all of California and one of only six hotels in the United States to earn this level of accreditation in the Existing Building (EB) category. As an independent hotel brand, and an existing building, Portola Hotel & Spa achieved this certification as a result of a longstanding commitment by...

NEW YORK—Trove, a wallcovering company with a focus on art and nature-inspired themes, introduces REDEUX, an eco-friendly commercial grade printed wallcovering that is a recyclable alternative to PVC. REDEUX contains more than 31 percent post-consumer recycled materials, and combines Type II durability with a Class “A” fire rating. The high level of breathability in the material increases resistance to mold and mildew in humid environments, and with no harmful gas emissions and low VOC emissions, REDEUX contributes to safer air quality and up to 6 LEED point credits. A true alternative to vinyl wallcovering, Trove will also offer a reclamation...

BOSTON—In the early stages of an $18 million renovation project, one that will see a complete guestroom and corridor redesign, the 38-story, 803-room Westin Copley Place in Boston is preparing to add to its long list of environmental achievements. In 2010 the property earned Green Key and Green Seal certification, an Energy Star rating, and significantly reduced its energy consumption, water consumption and waste sent to landfill. The hotel’s green team, which deserves much of the credit for the accomplishments, is led by Jeff Hanulec, director of engineering, an industry veteran constantly on the lookout for ways to improve operational...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes TreeSmart Industries, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. TreeSmart manufactures custom imprinted pencils from 100 percent recycled newspapers. The pencils are made using no mulching or mixing with toxic recycling chemicals. They sharpen easily, are as hard as wood pencils, and last longer. All pencils are made with high-quality ferrules and latex-free erasers that do not smudge. Selective colors for erasers are available upon request. Golf-size pencils and recycled paper pens are also available. TreeSmart has been making recycled newspaper pencils since 1998 and...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a luxurious property located on the shores of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, has partnered with Clean the World, an Orlando-based soap recycling organization, to collect discarded hotel amenities and distribute them to people in need. Collections for recycling begin September 16 and will help reinforce the eco-friendly profile of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which already enjoys a strong reputation for responsible tourism and sustainable hotel management. Since opening its doors in 1890, the Chateau has been a distinguished vacation destination in the heart of Banff National Park. With 554 guestrooms and suites,...