BOSTON—When the 424-room InterContinental Boston opened in November 2006, its recycling rate was just 8 percent. Tim Kirwan, general manager, admits recycling was not a top priority at first. In October 2007, with the assistance of Charlestown, Mass.-based Save That Stuff, everyone at the hotel finally got serious about recycling. By 2008, the rate had increased to 32 percent. In 2009 the rate reached 38 percent. From January through March of this year, the rate, according to Fabienne Eliacin, the hotel’s engineering coordinator, reached 61 percent. The InterContinental Boston’s focus on waste reduction, in addition to its other green initiatives,...

TORONTO—The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) announced the installation of an innovative new carpet system technology that will help to reduce its environmental footprint. It is North America’s first large installation of a system that features firm plastic floor plates with hooks that lock in place, and uses a mechanical hook-and-loop bond that attaches the carpet. With frequent loading and unloading of show equipment, the occasional spill and high visitor traffic, there are certain areas where carpet needs to be replaced. “This initiative is one of many in our green strategy that emphasizes continuous improvement,” said Vince Quattrociocchi, vice president...

MINNETONKA, MINN.—Carlson’s Country Inns & Suites brand, a major player in the limited-service, midscale segment of the lodging industry, is getting serious about reducing the volume of waste produced at its approximately 500 properties worldwide. By October 31 this year, disposable tableware will be eliminated in breakfast areas. About 20 hotels have already taken this step. Steve Mogck, executive vice president and COO, Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, says approximately 200 hotels will make the transition by June 1. Disposable plates, bowls, cups and utensils will be replaced with washable counterparts. Mogck says a large volume of the waste produced in a typical...

NATIONAL REPORT—In recent years, mattress makers have taken steps to extend the life of the mattress—building in removable pillow tops and other replaceable components—but at the end of a mattress’ life there is still a great chance that it will end up in a local landfill. The biggest barrier to mattress (and box spring) recycling, according to Chuck Brickman, owner and president of Willoughby, Ohio-based Ohio Mattress Recovery and Recycling, is hoteliers not knowing there is an option to recycle. Another barrier, although this is slowly beginning to change, is the availability of mattress recycling facilities. The International Sleep...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Protect-A-Bed as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Protect-A-Bed offers a complete line of protective bedding products designed to preserve mattresses and keep them out of landfills. AllerZip is the world’s first scientifically proven bed bug entry, escape and bite proof mattress encasement featuring the patented BugLock with SecureSeal three-sided zipper system. The products also offer allergy protection, which helps hotels create a healthy and restful sleep environment. Protect-A-Bed also offers mattress pads, pillow protectors and other items. For more information, e-mail Sandra@protectabed.com, call (866) 297-8836, or...

DALTON, GA.—At Yellowstone National Park, another sight that’s as predictable as the park’s famous Old Faithful Geyser are recycling bins stuffed with food wrappers, plastic bottles, and other items generated by the park’s 3.5 million annual visitors. In recent years, Yellowstone Park has been a leader in recycling innovation with programs that have significantly reduced the park’s dependency on area landfills. A new and unique recycling partnership, forged with Universal Textile Technologies, Four Corners Recycling, CPE, Inc. and the United Soybean Board (USB), will reduce and ensure the reuse of the amount of plastic bottles that go into landfills,...

SURPRISE, ARIZ.—What to do with used hotel linens and towels? Some are kept for cleaning. Some are recycled. Most are thrown in the trash. A new nonprofit organization is encouraging hoteliers to donate used linens and towels to local animal shelters. Scott Chapman, a 20-year hospitality veteran who got his start in housekeeping and moved up the corporate ladder to senior director of training, founded Hotel Industry Partnership for Pets (H.I.P. for Pets) to help “end the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable pets.” Chapman, now head of learning and development for PetSmart Inc., said donating used linens and towels can reduce...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—XLERATOR high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryers are now available with ADA compliant stainless steel paper towel dispenser retrofit kits. The new kits provide a simple, cost-effective solution for replacing built-in paper towel dispensers with XLERATOR hand dryers. A stainless steel panel allows the dryers to mount where dispensers existed. XLERATOR completely dries hands in 10 to 15 seconds—three times faster than conventional dryers. It uses 80 percent less energy and delivers a 95 percent cost savings versus paper towels, while creating a more hygienic restroom. “XLERATOR hand dryers and retrofit kits are being specified by facility managers who are...

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—If you run an inn, or a hotel for that matter, and are considering greening your operations, you may want to chat with Rachael Solem, owner and general manager of the 44-room Irving House in Cambridge, Mass. Since purchasing the large house in 1990, she has taken almost every step imaginable to reduce the property’s environmental impact. She knows what works, what does not work, and she will level with you about it. Take amenity dispensers, for example, which she still uses. “I have not found a dispenser that is attractive, easy for the guests to use, and...

FAIRFIELD, N.J.—Essential Amenities, Inc. has signed on Pineapple Hospitality, St. Charles, Mo., as the master distributor of Tommy Bahama Travelers Collection brand gallon amenities. Licensed into the hospitality industry by Essential Amenities, Tommy Bahama Travelers Collection amenities are a complete line of hotel personal care items. Tommy Bahama Traveler’s Collection is comprised of high-quality soaps, shampoos, conditioners and moisturizer products, as well as accessory items which have been uniquely designed to support the casual lifestyle of the brand for the luxury hotel setting. The Tommy Bahama gallon-sized amenities broadens the line’s appeal by catering to those hotels that have taken...