MIAMI—Cradle to Cradle, the highly regarded design paradigm that qualifies products by their eco-effectiveness, has bestowed Bio-Glass with its Silver Certification. “Coverings ETC has developed a valuable, ecologically-intelligent product made from 100 percent recycled content that can easily be recycled by the final customer as well. Bio-Glass has no colorants or other additives. Following its use, Bio-Glass can be placed into the same recycling containers as drink bottles,” said Steve Bolton, senior consultant of MBDC, the environmental consulting and design firm that developed Cradle to Cradle design. Bio-Glass surface material is at the heart of Coverings ETC’s mission to...

NATIONAL REPORT—Alternatives to the traditional 100 percent cotton or cotton/polyester blend towels are becoming more common in the lodging industry—especially at luxury and boutique properties. In fact, many suppliers now offer organic cotton towels, organic cotton towels with a blend of bamboo fibers, or 100 percent bamboo towels. One can also find 100 percent cotton towels with super-fine, Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton. Each of these new towel styles are more environmentally friendly in their own way when compared to the towels the lodging industry has been using for so long. There is a cost premium to buying “green” alternatives—sometimes a...

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton’s new mid-tier extended-stay hotel concept, is utilizing state-of-the-art post-consumer recycled content carpeting by InterfaceFLOR, the largest modular carpet tile manufacturer in the world, to outfit its model prototype at the Memphis, Tenn. headquarters. The “Hip and Humble” brand intends to outfit each new location with a variety of eco-friendly design elements and flooring is one spotlighted area. “Home2 Suites is a brand that focuses on marrying style and value while remaining conscious of our environmental impact,” said Bill Duncan, global head, Brand Management. “InterfaceFLOR shares our commitment and has an excellent reputation for providing...

DEVENS, MASS.—Fifty employees of the Devens SpringHill Suites by Marriott donned green wristbands and “gathered for the green” in a hotel ballroom in late April to convert approximately 140 guestroom and public-space trash cans to single stream recycling bins. The Devens SpringHill Suites by Marriott is the first area hotel to adopt this recycling approach. Single stream (also known as “fully commingled”) recycling refers to a system in which all recyclable materials are mixed together in the same collection container, eliminating the need for separate and/or specific bins. “Making recycling more convenient will likely encourage more recycling,” said Maura Peeler,...

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA.—Allegheny Printed Plastics is introducing biodegradable plastic cards as part of an ongoing commitment to provide more environmentally friendly product alternatives. The biodegradable PVC core card stock and laminate material perform just like standard plastic and is ideal for many common card applications. The biodegradation process begins when the product is introduced into a fertile environment (soil, water, compost, or wherever microorganisms are present) and works in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The absence of oxygen or water will not keep the product from biodegrading. All that is needed are the presence of microorganisms which consume the plastic...

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.—Worrell Water Technologies announced enhancements to its Next Generation Living Machine system, a proprietary ecological wastewater treatment system. Unlike today’s approach to wastewater treatment, the Living Machine operates as a decentralized, on-site system for water treatment and recycling, creating quality fresh water without chemicals, odor or nasty by-products. The Living Machine is a ‘turbo-charged’ engineered wetland system which combines the compact footprint of traditional wastewater treatment technologies with the energy efficiency of conventional constructed wetlands. In operation in more than two dozen locations worldwide, the Living Machine system is a patented and trademarked technology offered only by Worrell...

PORTLAND, ORE.—What was once a vacant bank building in downtown Portland will open in May as the Courtyard by Marriott—Portland City Center. The 256-room hotel was built to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The structure, which has been given a new shell, three new floors and brand new mechanical systems, is expected to be the first LEED Gold hotel in the Pacific Northwest. Certification is expected this fall. Green hotels are becoming the norm in Portland. The Avalon Hotel & Spa announced its LEED certification last summer, The Nines hotel is expected to be...

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIF.—Cal Springs, the maker of BioGreen Bottles, an environmentally innovative plastic water bottle that is completely biodegradable once its drinking days are over, has recently announced the release of the Hollywood Bottle, the newest addition to their eco-friendly water bottle line. The Hollywood Bottle offers a sleek, contoured design and comes in a variety of colors. Although new in size and shape, the Hollywood Bottle is made of the same reusable, recyclable and biodegradable material that made BioGreen Bottles a popular choice. The bottles are lightweight and safe for kids to handle, making them a practical, green...

MONTREAL, QUEBEC—To celebrate Earth Day, Kaba Lodging Systems (KLS) is introducing two types of environmentally-friendly keycards today. The “green keys” are made either from 100 percent recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic or from polylactide acid (PLA) plastic. The high-performance PLA is made from a corn byproduct and is both recyclable and biodegradable. Both key types function like traditional magnetic stripe keycards, carrying important information such as a guest’s room number, duration of the stay, and an encrypted lock access code recorded onto track three. A leading global electronic lock provider, KLS expects hotels will be receptive to these green keys....

MINNEAPOLIS/ST.PAUL—Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found most containers employed for storage and transportation of used fluorescent lamps to recycling centers do not provide necessary levels of protection against mercury vapors emitted from broken lamps. The release of mercury vapors, which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, presents an environmental and occupational hazard for workers involved with handling and transport. Mercury is a toxic chemical that can lead to neurological damage. The results of the study were published in a recent issue of the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. The...