CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Sterling Sleep Hospitality, Garden Grove, Calif., as a Green Product Directory partner. Sterling’s unique modular mattress systems save money by allowing one to replace any of the interchangeable parts like zippered pillow tops and other components instead of replacing the entire bed. Their environmentally friendly system reduces waste while extending mattress life. All six models come completely apart for proper cleaning. Sterling Sleep Hospitality is a registered EPA WasteWise endorser. Hotels and others that purchase modular mattress systems from Sterling are eligible to become EPA WasteWise Partners. Sterling will...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—TCP’s RECYCLEPAK will encourage consumers to return used light bulbs to home improvement stores, designated city buildings and schools, and have them sent to a recycling facility. “All CFLs must contain small amounts of mercury in order to glow and give light,” says Ellis Yan, president and CEO, TCP, Inc. “Even with the trace amounts of mercury, which is roughly equivalent to the tip of a ballpoint pen, they should be recycled. The recycling program we developed makes it easy for consumers to drop off a CFL at a big box retailer, city hall, or even their children’s...

CLEARWATER BEACH, FLA.—The Sandpearl Resort, slated to open in August, has been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification requirements. JMC Communities, the resort’s developer and owner, is resolute in following the specific LEED requirements, which include elements that preserve the beauty of Clearwater Beach so that it can be shared with generations to come. A prime example is the resort’s salt bromine pool filtration system, which, while costing twice as much as a standard system to install, was a required element of the owner. The Sandpearl resort is passionate about not putting chlorine waste into...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality has added the Buffet Burner Electric Chafing Dish Heater to its lineup of profit-enhancing products. Created and patented by Intracoastal Innovations, the Buffet Burner provides a safe, environmentally responsible alternative to costly, open-flame canned fuels used to maintain food temperature in hospitality kitchens, buffets, serving lines and banquets. Food and Beverage Managers will never have to worry about running out of canned fuel, or have to deal with the waste that comes from throwing out used fuel containers with the Buffet Burner. With this added convenience comes big savings, as the Buffet Burner is...

Motel 6’s announcement last week that it will roll out a fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program throughout its almost 900 properties was an important step that other companies should emulate. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which offer so many benefits, also include mercury, a hazardous substance. Not disposed of properly, liquid mercury quickly turns into a vapor that can be inhaled. Long-term exposure to it can damage the nervous system, the kidneys, lungs and other organs. Batteries are used throughout a hotel in items such as door locks, TV remotes and myriad other places. They consist of...

DALLAS—Motel 6, the largest corporately owned and operated hotel chain in North America, announces the rollout of the first national fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program within the hospitality industry. Motel 6, with nearly 900 properties across the country, is the first chain to implement this type of program without a federal mandate. The Motel 6 Fluorescent Light Bulb and Battery Recycling Program will be rolled out regionally over a six-month period, with complete implementation expected by the end of 2007. This recycling policy is a continuation of Accor’s Earth Guest initiatives that demonstrate Accor North America’s...

MIAMISBURG, OHIO—FreshMarx, a leader in automated date coding and the supplier of Monarch products and services, announced the release of its FreshMarx XL®PRO 29FFS three line labeler and supply system for improved efficiency and waste reduction. With the release of the FreshMarxTM XL® PRO 29FFS three line labeler and supply system, restaurant owners and food service managers will be able to reduce the amount of labeling stock and labelers they keep on hand, while improving the accuracy of their date coding systems. “XL PRO does the date coding work of seven different labels all with one labeling...

DANVERS, MASS.—At a time when many are searching for a convenient compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) recycling option, North American lighting leader Osram Sylvania has unveiled two CFL recycling options: the MiniPak CFL mail-back recycling kit, and the Community Pail RecyclePak. “It’s exciting to be the first lighting manufacturer to offer all of our customers a recycling solution,” says Jennifer Dolin, environmental marketing manager, Osram Sylvania. “With recycling and disposal options available in only a few communities, our MiniPak and Community Pail options allow consumers and small communities everywhere to recycle their spent lamps easily. Simply purchase the pre-labeled...

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Benchmark Hospitality International, the operator of Chaminade at Santa Cruz, has been awarded Green Business Certification for exceeding environmental regulatory requirements, preventing pollution and conserving natural recourses. The award was presented to the resort, which overlooks Monterey Bay, by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Chaminade is the first hospitality business in Santa Cruz County to receive the important certification. “We are thrilled to receive the Green Business Certification,” says Jeff Bloom, Benchmark’s general manager at Chaminade. “As a responsible corporate citizen we strive to be as green as possible and also encourage our guests...

NATIONAL REPORT—State-of-the-art concrete building systems can save a hotel owner money through energy savings. But equally important, concrete systems can provide hotel guests with a comfortable, healthy, environmentally friendly place to relax during their time away from home. Concrete can provide a sustainable structure that will maintain its durability, energy savings and beauty for the full life of the building. Hotels built with concrete wall, floor and roof systems that incorporate rigid foam insulation with concrete, have optimal energy performance because of their inherent thermal mass properties. Thermal mass has the ability to store heat during the hottest periods of...