CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Totally Green as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Totally Green’s ORCA Green Machine turns food waste into a water effluent in 24 hours, using the company’s proprietary microorganism solution and Bio-Chips to thoroughly digest food waste. The result is nutrient-rich grey water that can be sent into the sewer system or repurposed. The ORCA Green Machine offers an environmentally-friendly method of on-site food waste disposal. The machine is available in three sizes, processing 600, 1,200 or 2,400 pounds of food per day. The ORCA Green...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Central Florida Marriott Business Council, a sponsor of the Inaugural Clean the World Gala, is showing what kind of impact a dedicated group of hotel properties can have when they make a decision to help Clean the World. The council of 17 Central Florida hotel properties, representing a variety of Marriott brands throughout the region, will be well-represented at the Gala—in person and with the soaps and bottled amenities they have collected for Clean the World. Since partnering with Clean the World in 2009, the Central Florida Marriott Business Council properties have made 466 shipments to Clean the World,...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide and its portfolio of 10 hotel brands announced the 2010 results of LightStay, its sustainability measurement system. Since the introduction of LightStay, the company continues to improve sustainability and economic performance and saved more than $74 million in utility costs as a result of the following reductions: 6.6 percent reduction of energy use; 7.8 percent reduction of carbon output; 19 percent reduction of waste output; and 3.8 percent reduction of water use. To date, Hilton Worldwide’s efforts are equivalent to the removal of more than 50,000 cars from the road, water savings that could fill more than...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—LittleFootprint Lighting, a California-based maker of sustainably designed LED task lighting products made in the USA from recycled materials, including plastic from e-waste, announced its official designation as an “e-Stewards Enterprise.” The designation underscores LittleFootprint Lighting’s dedication to responsible recycling practices and commitment to reducing e-waste. |LittleFootprint Lighting holds a unique position as the first e-Stewards Enterprise that actually makes products from recycled e-waste, “closing the loop” on plastics from e-waste. “At this pivotal moment in the worldwide e-waste crisis, LittleFootprint Lighting joins a growing number of business, academic and governmental leaders taking action to stem a toxic tide,”...

BOULDER, COLO.—St Julien Hotel & Spa announced that it has attained a 70 percent diversion rate, indicating that 70 percent of the waste produced by the hotel is diverted from landfills for recycling, re-use or composting. “This is a significant achievement that keeps us on track with our goal of becoming a ‘zero waste’ property,” said Peter Walstra, general manager of the hotel. “We have worked tirelessly to identify opportunities to reduce consumption, recycle materials or eliminate needless waste—all without impacting the exceptional environment and experience the St Julien brings to guests. It has been, and continues to be, a...

DALLAS—Accor North America (ANA), one of the largest hotel chain owner and operators in North America, was recognized at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Sustainable Materials Management ceremony recently for its environmental stewardship. ANA successfully met two key environmental goals as part of its commitment to the EPA’s National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP), a partnership focused on reducing hazardous chemicals from products and processes. ANA’s first goal—to divert one pound of mercury from unsafe landfill disposal—was achieved through the company’s fluorescent light bulb recycling program. Since 2009, ANA locations have recycled 9,529 fluorescent lamps, amounting to just over one...

PLANO, TEXAS—Glass Recycled, a manufacturer of environmentally-friendly products that serve the construction and interior design industry, announces hundreds of new color combinations that are now available for use in their recycled glass countertops, walls, flooring and décor items. GlassSLAB is the company’s premier product. Made from recycled glass and epoxy in a terrazzo-like manufacturing process, GlassSlab can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, bars and in other countertop applications. Offering the durability of granite, GlassSLAB’s patented process brings the added benefit of nearly limitless color combinations. Whereas granite users may only select from what nature provides and is currently being mined,...

FREMONT, OHIO—Crown Mats and Matting, one of the oldest and largest matting manufacturers in the United States, announces that the company has made significant strides to operate in a greener and more environmentally responsible manner. According to company CEO and president, Bob Moran, several environmental concerns regarding the manufacturing of matting systems have now been addressed. “We are now recycling much of the PVC scrap material, vinyl trimmings, and vinyl foam used to make mats,” Moran says. “This totals about 25,000 pounds of scrap material trucked from the company every four to six weeks for recycling or reuse purposes.” Crown also...

BARRIE, ONT.—With recycling becoming more and more prominent, the need for more diverse recycling container options has come to the forefront. Busch Systems, a leader in recycling, compost and waste containers, has introduced a new recycling container called the Billi Box to the market. This compact recycling bin comes in either 7 gallon or 10 gallon sizes and incorporates different openings based on which recyclables or waste are to be collected. “This is a first for the recycling industry,” says Busch Systems sales manager, Serena Brooks. “In the past, there have been larger recycling bins with openings and labels but...

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK—Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts has received a top 2011 environmental achievement award from the National Park Service (NPS) for initiating a comprehensive composting program for Yosemite National Park. Delaware North operates Yosemite’s visitor services, including lodging, dining, recreation, retail and transportation services as a national park concessioner. The global hospitality management and food service provider launched the composting program in August 2009 to expand its longstanding recycling efforts at the park. Through November 2010, Delaware North’s composting initiative diverted 216 tons of organic waste—including food waste and paper products—from Yosemite’s kitchens and restaurants to Mariposa County’s...