DALLAS—Prota Culture, a waste management solutions company, announces the launch of BioPod Plus, a highly advanced compost bin that utilizes native grubs to speed up the bioconversion process. The BioPod Plus provides a unique composting experience that recovers valuable proteins and lipids for domesticated animals and wildlife. Unlike traditional composting that slowly breaks down food and yard waste to create soil for yards, grub composting is a rapid process that produces nutritious feed for chickens, fish and songbirds. “With the unveiling of BioPod Plus, composting food waste will be taken to the next level, as improvements for ease of use...

NATIONAL REPORT—Whether for disposing of trash or for holding items purchased in a hotel or resort gift shop, bags—unless they are used over and over again—have historically been a detriment to the environment. There are not a lot of things that are created just to be thrown away but most bags fall into this category. Plastic bags account for 10,000 tons of landfill space in the United States. It takes a thousand years for a plastic bag to naturally degrade. Less than 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled each year. Plastic bags are blamed for the annual death...

CHICAGO—In honor of Earth Day 2010, PoopBags, Inc., which sells 100 percent biodegradable dog waste bags, is giving away an electric bicycle and complimentary reusable bags to help people reduce their carbon footprints and live a greener lifestyle. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for every 500 miles an electric bike is used in place of a car, an average 25 gallons of fuel is saved, thereby eliminating more than 25 pounds of carbon monoxide. Hence, an electric bike is a great alternative to a car for its cost efficiency and Earth-friendliness. Paul Cannella, owner of PoopBags, is...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently welcomed the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center into the Florida Green Lodging Program. The 1,406-room resort is one of the largest in the state to participate, and the first in Osceola County’s popular Kissimmee resort corridor. In addition, the resort announced the upcoming rollout of a new guest communications program, called “We’re Eco-Logical,” designed to share the spirit of the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives with guests and meeting planners, while encouraging them to take an active role in the programs. “Together with the citizens of Osceola County, we have created...

WINCHESTER, VA.—Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), a leader in durable facility maintenance solutions, introduces its new Two Stream Glutton Recycling Station. The Two Stream Glutton Recycling Station combines the Glutton and Slim Jim strength and durability into a fully integrated station that provides sorting capability and containment for up to two waste streams—making it easier to build a recycling program and encourage compliance. “Providing the right container for each point in your recycling stream is the key to a successful program,” said Jarret Chirafisi, product manager for RCP. “And because both the blue Glutton and Slim Jim are made...

SEDONA, ARIZ.—The Kings Ransom Sedona Hotel is following in the responsible footsteps of its sister property, the Kings Ransom Inn, by converting 95 guestrooms into EcoRoom Accommodations. The positive guest reviews, good corporate citizenship and savings from reduced utility and waste costs convinced the owners it was the proper path to follow. Both properties are located amongst the stunning red rock beauty of Sedona, Ariz. In an effort to assist in the protection of that environment, the hotels have contracted Green Suites Hotel Solutions, a leading supplier of environmental products and programs, to convert each guestroom with standard amenities into...

LAS VEGAS—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas, two Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., Las Vegas resorts, the agency’s WasteWise New Partner Gold Achievement Award. The Gold Achievement Award is presented to new partners that implement successful comprehensive waste reduction programs that epitomize the objectives of the EPA’s WasteWise program. The first casino entertainment company to be awarded an EPA WasteWise Gold Achievement Award, Harrah’s is also the only national casino entertainment company to belong to the EPA’s WasteWise member list. “Harrah’s Entertainment employees at the Bally’s Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas hotel implemented an impressive array...

PUNTA GORDA, BELIZE—The management at Machaca Hill Lodge, located in southern Belize, is offering guests another way to preserve the sensitive environment surrounding the rainforest canopy lodge. The PURE H2O station allows eco-conscious travelers to refill their aluminum water bottles, provided upon check-in, whether they’re heading out on an adventure or spending time by the pool. “Now our guests can truly utilize their welcome gifts, and hopefully we’re planting the ‘seed’ here at Machaca Hill that will reinforce the value and importance of reutilization of products and enable them to go home and continue with this practice,” said Brian Gardiner,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes FoodBizSupply.com as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. FoodBizSupply.com is a source for more than 400 sustainable tableware, paper products, catering supply products, to-go packaging, bags, green cleanup supplies, and much more. All products are biodegradable/compostable or recyclable. The website includes a Frequently Asked Questions area with information on PLA (polylactide) corn plastic and sugarcane bagasse, as well as links to information on composting and zero waste. For more information, e-mail rosetta@greenchoicevendors.com, call (888) 740-8831, or go to www.foodbizsupply.com.

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has partnered with CynerGreen to provide a “bottle free” solution for hotels and meeting planners looking to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. CynerGreen offers a complete line of hydration products and services including: adult and children’s reusable, stainless steel water bottles, HealthyTap natural portable water filters, reusable shopping bags, high volume hydration stations, and certification programs tailored to the hospitality and meetings industry. The company’s Bottle Free solutions pave the way for hotels, cities, communities, organizations, events and schools to eliminate...