SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a distributor of “green” hotel products and marketing programs to the hospitality industry, has donated more than 90,000 bottles of eco-friendly body washes, lotions and conditioners to improve comfort and dignity for children and families in distressed situations throughout the United States. The donations will be received by Clean the World, an Orlando, Fla.-based organization that recycles and distributes hygiene products to people in need.“We’re all aware of the economic and social distress so many families are experiencing in our own country and around the world,” says Ray Burger, CEO and president at Pineapple Hospitality....

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Wood Products announced the introduction of a new line of 4’x 8’ architectural-grade veneered panels milled from reclaimed North American wood, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. Viridian’s sliced veneers—derived from old-growth redwood previously used in wine tanks, Oregon black walnut reclaimed from urban salvage, and old-growth Douglas fir from warehouse deconstruction—are produced domestically and laid-up on urea formaldehyde-free, FSC-certified medium density fiberboard (MDF) in a variety of thicknesses, including fire-rated cores. Mitchoff said more species are being sourced for launch in the future. “These are distinctive, beautiful and rich in history, a befitting use of some amazing wood,”...

NEW YORK—Raw, an InterfaceFLOR modular carpet tile product created from yarns derived from a combination of salvaged fishing nets, post-industrial waste, and fibers from the company’s own processing of reclaimed carpet products, is among 100 products named “Best of What’s New” for 2011 by Popular Science magazine. In naming Raw to this noteworthy list, Mark Jannot, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, said, “For 24 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us—those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future. The ‘Best of What’s New’ Award is...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced a partnership with Good360 to connect hotels donating high-quality used goods to charitable organizations that can repurpose and serve needs within their communities. By utilizing LightStay, Hilton Worldwide’s proprietary sustainability performance management platform, all of the more than 3,750 Hilton Worldwide hotels globally will be able to enter goods available for donation into a tracking system that will link to Good360’s online product donation marketplace and its more than 22,000 charities that can claim items as needed. Additionally, Hilton Worldwide’s group meeting clients can track donations entered by Hilton Worldwide-branded properties in the event...

TORONTO—The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) reported the results of its greening efforts for the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Greenbuild International Conference & Expo recently held at the MTCC. Even for the world’s largest conference & expo dedicated to green buildings, the results were impressive, with a significantly reduced footprint achieved through an unprecedented 95 percent waste diversion rate, energy and water conservation and an ever increasing commitment to greening through the education of MTCC employees. The premier event featuring three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events attracted more than 23,000...

CANCUN, MEXICO—Cancun has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. The sandy beaches, the blue water and the warm weather have brought tourists back year after year. Understanding that this natural beauty is extremely fragile, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa has started important green initiatives to ensure tourists can enjoy Cancun for years to come. This resort in Cancun, Mexico, has introduced a number of important environmentally conscious programs this year. Many of them focus on cutting down waste from the Cancun hotel. For instance, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort has begun an aggressive...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has earned top honors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding achievement in food waste recycling programs at the company’s Las Vegas Strip resorts. The company will be presented with the EPA’s 2011 WasteWise Gold Achievement-Food Recovery Award as part of the agency’s annual competition, which recognizes public and private entities for their environmental sustainability efforts. The EPA will give Gold Achievement awards in 12 sustainability categories.   The EPA WasteWise Gold Achievement Award is the third national award that MGM Resorts has earned for its recycling program. The Glass Packaging Institute recognized MGM Resorts...

FAIRFIELD, N.J.—Tommy Bahama dispensers have found a home in a number of hotels along the Pacific Coast with the help of Essential Amenities, Inc. and Pineapple Hospitality. The Acqua Hotel, Hotel FIVE, The Maxwell Hotel, University Inn, and Watertown Hotel have all recently adopted the Tommy Bahama hotel amenities in all guestrooms as part of an effort to reduce waste and make a positive impact on the environment. “We’re very proud because we are the first hotel in California to feature the Tommy Bahama dispensers,” says Kurt Helmke, general manager for the Acqua Hotel, located in Marin County just outside...

NOTTINGHAM, PA.—Zandur, a green manufacturer dedicated to developing the world’s most environmentally sensitive flooring products, announces the launch of a new tile size in their “True Green” line of natural Cork Rubber Flooring. The 12" x 24" tile addition creates extensive opportunity for designers to discover their own unique patterns by mixing and matching square or plank cut tile in nearly limitless combination. Zandur’s high performance material is available in 48 standard colors.    Zandur’s Cork Rubber Flooring is made from more than 65 percent recycled and renewable cork and 35 percent rubber and meets the requirements of numerous...

NEW YORK—Protect-A-Bed, a leading supplier of bedding protection products for the hospitality industry, will focus on hygiene and showcase sustainability solutions in the company’s expanded booth (#3132) at IHMRS.  Protect-A-Bed, an established leader in the continual fight against bed bug infestations, is encouraging hoteliers to also think about another ongoing challenge. “While bed bug infestations will continue to cause problems for hotel owners and operators, there’s actually a more consistent threat that is universal: the human contamination of mattresses,” says Sandra DiVito, vice president of Hospitality at Protect-A-Bed. “Hoteliers are challenged every day to maintain clean mattresses for their guests,”...