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...

ALLENDALE, N.J.—After three years spent as a leading provider of organic waste decomposition equipment, BioHitech America has partnered with Marathon Equipment Company, a leading supplier of solid waste and recycling equipment worldwide. BioHitech and Marathon will be working together to provide their combined customers with green technology that diverts the maximum amount of food waste possible while minimizing environmental impact.   “We are excited about leveraging Marathon’s many years of manufacturing experience and distribution network to increase the presence of our newly branded Eco-Safe Digester (formerly known as the GOHBio 1001) worldwide,” said Frank Celli, CEO for BioHitech America. “BioHitech brings its...

HOUSTON—Waste Management and Cartridge World Group Holdings Pty Ltd and Cartridge World North America, LLC launched a new recycling program to increase the collection of used printer cartridges and the sale of remanufactured cartridges. The program, called “Recycle-2-Save,” offers businesses free recycling of their used printer cartridges and the opportunity to purchase replacement inventory for less than the cost of new cartridges. Under the collaboration, WM LampTracker, Inc., a subsidiary of Waste Management, will provide free recycling services for used ink and toner cartridges. Free recycling boxes are available by logging onto www.wmlamptracker.com and clicking on “Cartridge Recycling” under the...

ROCKPORT, MAINE—Samoset Resort, one of New England’s premier resorts, has partnered with Sleep Inc., a 40-year-old mattress company with factories throughout the United States, to utilize a new recycling method invented by Sleep Inc. This technology was created for and is only used by Sleep Inc. to ensure that old mattresses are 97 percent recycled (as opposed to a few select parts being reused and the rest becoming trash). The Samoset is the first hotel to take advantage of this unique opportunity to avoid having its old mattresses wind up in landfills.  “Our response to Sleep Inc.’s offer to...