CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added a new case study to the Green Lodging News website. The case study focuses on the InterContinental San Francisco’s recycling program and how the hotel was able to save more than $120,000 annually in waste removal fees. Integral to the hotel’s efforts was the placement of Metro recycling receptacles supplied by T2 Site Amenities in public spaces and Treela Recycling wastebaskets in guestrooms. “They are in very public areas and look terrific,” said Harry Hobbs, director of engineering at the hotel, in regard to the Metro Recyclers....

LOS ANGELES—Last week, officials at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles announced that the property had received the city’s first Green Seal Silver Certification. In a press release announcing the honor, it was stated that the hotel expects to save approximately $225,000 a year because of its energy-saving and waste reduction initiatives. However, according to Steve Silva, chief engineer at the 1,354-room hotel, the Green Team has “just scratched the surface” of what can be saved and he expects the $225,000 number to eventually grow to $1 million a year. According to the online publication “blogdowntown,” the certification of...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Bancroft Hotel, a National Registered Landmark and a premier boutique hotel based in Berkeley, Calif., has teamed up with The Refinishing Touch to update furniture as part of a large-scale renovation project. The Bancroft Hotel was built in 1928, was designed by noted Bay Area architect Walter T. Steilberg, and has come to be known for its historic charm, personalized service and eco-friendly practices. Located directly across the street from the University of California at Berkeley and next door to the Berkeley Art Museum, the Bancroft is part of the rich and diverse history of the Bay...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Vivaro Water as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Vivaro Water’s water delivery system utilizes advanced technology to purify water. A nine-stage process removes dirt particles, chlorine, chemicals, pesticides, metals and other solids. The appliance delivers fresh clean drinking water utilizing existing water sources and eliminates the need to store and handle bulky water jugs. Vivaro’s stand-alone, high tech, high gloss “appliance” takes up less space than the outdated bottled water coolers. They can be conveniently installed anywhere on the premises without permanent alterations to buildings. The...

VALLEY CENTER, CALIF.—Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort has diverted more than 400 tons of recyclables, reduced Styrofoam use by 25 percent and cleaned up more than eight miles of San Diego County beaches. These conservation efforts are the result of the employee driven “Green Committee,” which meets bi-weekly in support of the company’s CODEGreen Commitment. “CODEGreen is our commitment to conservation and sustainability,” says senior vice president and general manager Janet Beronio. The Green Committee is comprised of Harrah’s employees who want to make a difference. “There were so many ideas at the first meeting,” exclaims Brendan O’Kane, facilities manager...

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—Simple, effective, visible green programs are among the easiest ways to send a message of corporate social responsibility. CynerGreen, a leading authority on sustainable hydration solutions in the hospitality industry, has launched Bottle Free programs designed for hotels and resorts. Becoming a Bottle Free hotel or resort is simple. By eliminating the purchase and distribution of plastic water bottles in retail areas, guestrooms, conference services, back of the house, and replacing them with a reusable solution, a hotel can become certified Bottle Free. This year alone, more than 73 billion beverage cans and plastic water...

CINCINNATI—Cintas continues to build on its eco-friendly tailored line with the addition of The Momentum Suiting Collection. The stretch, wrinkle-resistant fabric is made using a 54/42/4 blend of recycled polyester, wool and Lycra. The recycled polyester is comprised of 13 recycled plastic water bottles. While eco-friendly, this high-end collection offers an ideal combination of sophistication and long-wearing performance. It can be laundered at home, saving employees approximately $1,000 in dry-cleaning costs each year. The collection is available in black, charcoal and navy. Go to Cintas.

UPLAND, CALIF.—Green Suites International announced that it is now offering the new Sonoma Soap Company amenity collection in waste-reducing paper bottles. The environmentally sound packaging is fully collapsible and leaves behind, on average, only 1 percent of product after use compared to plastic bottles which contain 20 percent to 30 percent leftover product. The result is each guest needing less product to get an ample amount and ultimately means a reduction in waste, energy, and shipping materials. The soaps contain vegetable base and are also packaged using water-based inks that are cured with non-threatening UV rays. The product inside the...

LAS VEGAS—CityCenter announced that it has received three Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council for: ARIA Resort’s hotel tower; ARIA Resort’s convention center and theater; and Vdara Hotel. ARIA and Vdara will open in December on the Las Vegas Strip and are the first of CityCenter’s developments to be LEED certified. CityCenter anticipates Gold or Silver LEED certification for its remaining developments which include Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental; Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district; Veer Towers, the community’s only strictly residential buildings; and The Harmon (opening late 2010),...

NEW YORK—Green Choice Vendors Distribution, a wholesale distributor of sustainable products and packaging for food service, announces the launch of their online store FoodBizSupply.com. FoodBizSupply.com offers a one stop shop for more than 300 biodegradable and compostable products made from natural renewable resources, like sugarcane bagasse, bamboo fiber and corn. Unlike Styrofoam and petro-based plastics, FoodBizSupply.com products are biodegradable with 70 percent being compostable. Their plant-based offerings combined with biodegradable polymers create products that help reduce the impact on the environment in absolute carbon footprint terms. FoodBizSupply.com products include straws, hot and cold cups, plates, bowls, trays, cutlery, take-out containers,...