MORROW, GA.—TOTO announced that it has expanded its sustainability initiatives at its manufacturing facility in Morrow, Ga. The company has formed a cross-industrial strategic partnership with Crossville, Inc., manufacturers of premium Porcelain Stone tile, which has developed proprietary systems for processing pre-consumer sanitary ware, fired tile, and filtrate waste back to powder that is used in the manufacture of new tile. Crossville will introduce its new EcoCycle Recycling Processes at NEOCON, where both companies will display in Chicago, June 13 to 15, 2011. “There’s no ‘silver bullet’ when it comes to reducing a facility’s carbon footprint,” said Bill Strang, senior...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has increased the recycled content in Eco Solution Q, the company’s premium branded Cradle to Cradle Silver certified carpet fiber, to 45 percent. Eco Solution Q now contains 20 percent pre-consumer recycled content and 25 percent post-consumer recycled content sourced from caprolactam (the monomer or ‘building block’ of Nylon 6) recovered through Shaw’s Evergreen Nylon 6 Recycling facility in Augusta, Ga. The recycled content is based on allocated nylon fiber from Shaw’s total nylon fiber production and determined as a percent of total Eco Solution Q nylon output; based on this method, recycled content...

RICHMOND, CALIF.—Excellent Packaging & Supply, a wholesale distributor of sustainable, biodegradable, and nature-based packaging for foodservice and other applications, has added the complete range of Bridge-Gate compostable serving ware and take-out packaging made from 100 percent renewable resources to its extensive selection of products available through its BioMass Packaging division. Excellent Packaging now carries Bridge-Gate plates, bowls, clamshells and hinged containers, trays, platters and lids—all of which are made entirely from renewable, organic, GMO-free agricultural wheat fibers that are a natural by-product of crop harvests and certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). “Consumers and foodservice businesses are looking for...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—For Earth Day this year Choice Hotels International issued a press release that included an update on its more than two-year-old Room to Be Green program (see article). Room to Be Green is an optional program for Choice licensees that gives them an opportunity to receive marketing recognition—a green leaf icon—on the Choice website based on their commitment to implement at least three green programs at their properties in the areas of energy conservation, water conservation, and recycling. Green Lodging News recently spoke with Christopher Schrader, project director of brand programs for Choice, to get more details...

WAYNE, N.J.—RecyclingBin.com, a provider of recycling equipment, announced a new program designed to help green up the environment. With each order placed at the company’s website for recycling bins and other recycling equipment, they will ship a free tree sapling. RecyclingBin.com specializes in creating green recycling bins, bringing the process full circle. All bins are manufactured with a minimum of 35 percent recycled materials. In addition, all of their equipment is recyclable. Each product is designed and manufactured in the United States as well, which reduces the impact of international shipping on the environment. Finally, there is no middleman for...

RICHMOND, VA.—Some 2,000 pounds of food waste each month will no longer be sent to local landfills, thanks to a new composting initiative implemented by the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown in the restored Miller & Rhoads building. “While we are proud to be a participant in the Virginia Green program, we wanted to expand our efforts by adding composting in 2011,” said John Cario, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown. Virginia Green, the state’s program to encourage green practices in tourism, has nearly 1,000 participants, including more than 400 lodging facilities. “To be the very first hotel...

TULSA, OKLA.—Totally Green, Inc., a leader in organic food processing systems and compostable packaging alternatives, has installed its ORCA Green Machine at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. The hotel implemented the ORCA Green Machine to establish on-site composting of organic food waste generated by its restaurant and cuisine services. The organic composter saves the hotel tipping or disposal costs. The organic refuse produced by the hotel no longer needs to be hauled away. The ORCA Green Machine composts up to 2,400 pounds of organic refuse per day into harmless, nutrient rich grey-water that can be safely put into the...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Biodegradable Food Service as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Biodegradable Food Service manufactures more than 82 bio-based, single-use food service products like the compostable Earth Cup hot beverage cups and the Earth Bowl portion containers, along with eco-friendly lid options made from bamboo fibers and corn starch. The company’s extensive biodegradable potato-starch TaterWare food service line includes plates, bowls, clamshells, deli trays, cutlery and more. Biodegradable Food Service pioneered sustainable food-to-go containers and has a loyal following among stewards of the environment. Customization with low...

CORONADO, CALIF.—Established in 1888, the legendary Hotel del Coronado has achieved another milestone by being the oldest hotel in the United States to receive Bronze Level certification by Green Seal. In accordance to Green Seal’s environmental management system, the hotel has made significant progress against the four pillars: climate change, waste, natural resources, and health and well-being. “The entire staff embraced a culture of environmental responsibility, which supported our efforts to overcome the challenges associated with being a 123-year-old property,” says Donna Gonser, hotel manager. Paper, cardboard, wood pallets, plastic containers, aluminum cans and glass are separated and recycled resort-wide....

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Representatives of Valley Forge Fabrics attended Unifi’s official opening of the REPREVE Recycling Center early last month in Yadkinville, N.C. The $8 million investment will allow Unifi to expand production capacities of its REPREVE recycled fiber. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Valley Forge was recognized by Unifi along with other major brands such as Nike and Patagonia as customers with REPREVE in their product offerings. REPREVE is a family of first quality recycled polyester and nylon fibers that can be used in a wide range of applications, including apparel, automotive, seating and paneling fabrics. Since its introduction in...