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Waste Management

From the guestroom to the loading dock, waste is a perpetual challenge for hoteliers. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce waste—through intelligent purchasing, packaging, recycling and education. Got a great idea about how to turn green into gold? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Waste Management

Home Waste Management
From the guestroom to the loading dock, waste is a perpetual challenge for hoteliers. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce waste—through intelligent purchasing, packaging, recycling and education. Got a great idea about how to turn green into gold? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Decomposition Machines Can Reduce Food Waste Volume By 90 Percent

NATIONAL REPORT—At least four companies in the United States are making it easy for hotels to dramatically reduce food waste volume by up to 90 percent. The decomposition machines they make, which are available in different sizes, can significantly reduce waste hauling costs and the volume of waste typically sent to the landfill. For the environment, there are additional benefits because fewer trucks have to roll and less waste sits in the landfill producing methane—a greenhouse gas. Food waste decomposition machines can be pricey but when used regularly can pay for themselves in three to five years. Lease options...

GLN Adds Environmental Specialty Products as Directory Partner

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Environmental Specialty Products as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Environmental Specialty Products has been manufacturing leisure and park furniture made from the highest grade of recycled plastic lumber for more than 16 years. The leisure furniture has been designed to fit into any backyard setting, yet it has the strength and durability to also meet the needs of the commercial environment. The park series includes sturdy recycling and waste containers, as well as park benches and picnic tables. Other product types available include rockers, gliders, tables,...

The Peabody Orlando Rolls Out C.A.R.E. Initiative

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Peabody Orlando announces the rollout of its green initiative entitled, “The Greener Peabody—C.A.R.E. (Conserve and Recycle for our Earth). “Many of these initiatives have already been in place for some time, but we have significantly stepped up our efforts to go even greener,” said Marshall Kelberman, director of rooms for this landmark, luxury hotel on International Drive. Kelberman also heads up the hotel’s Greener Peabody committee. “Frankly, it’s everyone’s responsibility to design—and then execute—practical green initiatives for our planet’s sake and for our children and grandchildren,” said Kelberman. “Ours is a hotel-wide initiative in which all associates are...

Carpet Cushion Manufacturers Build on Green Foundation

NATIONAL REPORT—Carpet cushion, also known as underlayment, has been one of the greenest products available to the lodging industry for years. More than 80 percent of carpet cushion sold today is made from bonded polyurethane foam cushion (“bonded” or “rebond”). It comes from a combination of salvaged, scrapped or recycled polyurethane foam generated during the making of furniture, bedding and other products—cushions for car seats, for example. Polyurethane is ground up into small pieces, bonded under pressure with a binder into blocks, and then cut into thin slices of different thicknesses and widths. Used carpet cushion is also recycled...

Chicago’s Mayor Recognizes Efforts of 25 Green Hotels Initiative Properties

CHICAGO—On Thursday, October 16, Mayor Richard M. Daley acknowledged the efforts of 25 Chicago hotels that are currently striving for an environmental designation. The Green Hotels Initiative challenges hotels to obtain Green Seal certification, an environmental lodging standard with requirements in waste minimization, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste water management and green procurement. The program also offers resources, best practices and recognition to the hotels going green. “Whether you are working to install energy efficient equipment in your kitchens and laundry facilities, installing water-saving plumbing fixtures, or planning for a green roof, like the one we have on top of...

It’s Official: Proximity Hotel is First LEED Platinum Hotel

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels announced that The Proximity Hotel and Print Works Bistro have been awarded LEED Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is the USGBC’s rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and high performing buildings. Opened in late 2007, the Proximity is the first hotel and Print Works is the first restaurant to obtain the USGBC’s top level of certification. “When we started the design process four years ago, I would have never believed that we could use 41 percent less energy and 33 percent less water without...

GLN Welcomes Naturally Iowa West as Advertising Partner

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Naturally Iowa West as an advertising partner. Naturally Iowa West is pioneering the bioplastics industry with its earth friendly biodegradable plastic packaging for premium bottled water, organic milk products and other beverages made from polylactic acid. Naturally Iowa West is committed to protecting the environment and developing recovery systems for a new generation of bioplastics. Plant-based plastics are much more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics because they have the potential to reduce annual landfill waste by thousands of tons and release far less carbon dioxide in the...

Emory Conference Center Takes Big Chunk Out of its Waste Stream

ATLANTA—The Emory Conference Center Hotel (ECCH) in Atlanta is continuing its commitment to the environment and its “green” guests. The property has recently been re-certified by Green Seal, converted to a new food waste elimination system, began recycling its waste cooking oil into fuel, and introduced single stream recycling. ECCH is the only Green Seal-certified hotel in Georgia, meeting rigorous environmental standards for U.S. lodging properties that include waste minimization, water and energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible purchasing. Certification must be renewed annually and ECCH has been certified since 2004. The hotel’s new food composting system is...

Décor Group International Makes Commitment to Green Technology

MADISON HEIGHTS, MICH.—Décor Group International (DGI), a leading manufacturer of brand imaging delivery systems, has undertaken a total commitment to green technology. Based in Madison Heights, Mich., DGI has pledged to provide its clients with materials that are biodegradable and/or recyclable in an effort to better meet the needs of the growing number of businesses that are migrating towards a greener existence. Dennis Knoblock, owner and president of DGI, issued the following statement: “Making a change to green technology does not in any way translate to a sacrifice in the areas of quality, durability or presentation. The performance of these...

Shaw Hospitality Group Debuts REmix for Public Space, Guestrooms

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Hospitality Group’s new REmix Collection by Kate Korten comes to life with animated patterns and linear motifs found in advertising and art designs of the 1950s and 1960s. REmix offers coordinated guestrooms and public space carpet in both print and tufted patterns. Korten, whose father was a groundbreaking New York art director in the 1960s, grew up on shape, color and form, which are all reflected in REmix. This background influenced her career and continues to provide inspiration in hospitality flooring designs. “The style of illustrations from that era still strikes a chord in me,” Korten said. “I’ve kept...