DALLAS—In the current North American hospitality market, an estimated 18 million traditional plastic keycards are discarded by hotels and their guests every week, ultimately ending up in landfills across the continent. Additionally, experts say the industry could save as many as 9 million batteries each year by switching to more energy efficient locking systems. With this in mind, VingCard, a leading hospitality security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group, is introducing new eco-friendly initiatives to support hoteliers’ efforts to go green. Innovative recycled keycards are now available to VingCard customers, and one unique guestroom door lock not...

LOS ANGELES—The Finer Designer Wastebasket Liner is now available in a recyclable form. The Finer Liner currently sells a recyclable plastic designer wastebasket liner in seven styles. Owner Annette Savio decided to offer the recyclable, biodegradable liners to hotels that typically use plastic wastebasket liners. “Hotels and cruise lines use huge amounts of resources that can be potentially recycled,” Savio says. “My first liners produced are recyclable and highly reusable which will cut down on using thin plastic bags that are difficult to recycle and usually end up in the landfills. But our biodegradable liners will break down in landfills...

MARATHON, TEXAS—Newspapers guests read at the Eve’s Garden Organic Bed & Breakfast and Ecology Resource Center will definitely get recycled. In fact, they may even end up in a wall or one of the many domed structures at the five-room inn here in Marathon, Texas. The owners—Kate Thayer and Clyde Curry—don’t like to waste anything. Bottles and cans are recycled, kitchen and yard waste are composted, and energy is saved when sheets and towels are hung out to dry on a clothesline. When you put the words “organic” and “ecology” in your inn’s name, you are expected to deliver and...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.— Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc. has been honored by Sustainable Florida with a Best Practice award in the Large Company Category. The winners were announced June 9 at an awards ceremony in Tallahassee. Sustainable Florida is an alliance of business, government, and civic leaders and organizations committed to defining excellence for Florida’s economic, environmental and social future. Winners of the Best Practice award were selected by an independent panel of nine representatives from private and public sectors involved in the sustainability movement. Valley Forge, in business for 30 years, recently took a FRESH look at its business model....

MACKINAC ISLAND, MICH.—The Grand Hotel is in the approval phase of being designated a green hotel by Green Lodging Michigan. The process was started in the fall of 2007 and should be complete by the end of the 2008 season. Behind the scenes of Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island’s ageless “Somewhere in Time” ambiance are aggressive programs to seek out and implement the latest technology to protect the island’s pristine environment. These efforts include: • The water-based air-conditioning system Grand Hotel designed and installed in its most classic rooms; • An island program that composts all biodegradable waste on the island; • State-of-the-art water and wastewater...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality announces the addition of four new products to its repertoire of products: EcoSmart Pillows; Green-Key keycards; Buffet Burners; and Zero Odor. Either individually or as a part of a larger greening process, these four products demonstrate to guests a commitment to clean, green operations and, in most cases, end up saving a lot of money. “As the premier distributor of green products and marketing programs to the hospitality industry, Pineapple Hospitality is proud to serve as a conduit for bringing fresh ideas to the market,” says Ray Burger, president of Pineapple Hospitality. “With the green trend...

NATIONAL REPORT—Summer-like weather is here and there is nothing better than kicking back on the beach or close to a pool. Why not kick back on some recycled plastic? There are a number of U.S.-based companies that manufacture outdoor furniture from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is made from recycled plastic milk and water jugs. By purchasing furniture made from HDPE, one can help to close the recycling loop. In fact, at the end of its life, the furniture can be recycled and made into new furniture. From a design standpoint, there are literally hundreds of appealing color and style...

VANCOUVER, WASH.—The Hilton Vancouver, Washington, one of America’s first sustainably-designed hotels, is making history again this month as the first hotel in the world to earn both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Seal certifications. The Green Seal environmental certification accolade comes three years after the hotel became the first major U.S. hotel—and the first Hilton Hotel—to earn LEED certification. “The Hilton Vancouver, Washington is the only hotel in the world to achieve environmental sustainability certification from two top universally accepted and independent analysts,” said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president, brand management—Hilton Hotels & Resorts. “This hotel...

MIAMI—Swisssol USA LLC, a company specializing in importing environmentally-friendly upscale European creative body care products to the U.S. hospitality industry, is now distributing a new and innovative shower and sink dispensing system. “Press+Wash is a long-lasting and tamper-proof patented dispensing system that is leak proof and drip free,” said Jackie Good, vice president of sales and marketing for Swisssol USA. “Unlike other dispensing systems, the manufacturer takes full responsibility for liability of the new system.” A savings of 30 to 35 percent per year over individually packaged products can be achieved with Press+Wash, Good said. “Press+Wash is available in different high image...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—The hospitality industry has a new resource at its disposal. Eden Textile, one of the country’s leading hospitality suppliers, has launched a unique textile-recycling program aimed at reducing vast amounts of the industry’s post-consumer waste. Now Eden Textile’s clients can take advantage of this recycling program while also alleviating the suffering of families in Africa. Through a nonprofit partnership with the organization Africa We Care, textiles will be diverted from the landfill and donated to a worthy cause each year. The donation of products like bedding, towels, pillows, drapes and duvets to Africa We Care will not only...