COLUMBIA, MD.—Representing a crown jewel in environmentally friendly renovation, the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. is the latest project from First Finish, Inc. that offers a “green” hospitality experience with materials and finishes that are environmentally favorable. Coinciding with Earth Day on April 22, the completion of the Lexus Hybrid Living Suite means guests will have an eco-luxury experience including use of a Lexus LS 600h L hybrid sedan to drive during their stay. With its established credentials in renovation construction that is environmentally sustainable, First Finish worked with Organic Interior Design to refurbish the suite with reconditioned furniture made...

PHILADELPHIA—Westinghouse Lighting announces a partnership with Veolia Environmental Services (VES) North America to promote Veolia’s proprietary recycling kit, RECYCLEPAK, through Westinghouse’s website. The award-winning lighting and electronics recycling program provides a convenient way for companies to recycle large or small quantities of used lamps and ballasts. The cost of each RECYCLEPAK kit includes everything needed for recycling—environmentally-safe packaging, pre-paid shipping, labels and documentation. “We’re proud to partner with Veolia on such an important service to our customers,” says Ray Angelo, president and CEO, Westinghouse Lighting. “Veolia provides them with recycling convenience and peace of mind knowing that their used lamps and...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc.’s established reclamation program will now include FRESH bedding fabrics. These high thread count fabrics are made from 100 percent recycled polyester. FRESH is an acronym for Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards (for) Hospitality. The FRESH collection is a group of more than 1,000 fabrics that are made of 100 percent recycled polyester, that are also 100 percent recyclable. Valley Forge is the only textile company to date that has an established reclamation program to facilitate the recycling of textiles. Products made of 100 percent recycled content at a low energy manufacturing platform is important, but...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality announced that it is now offering EO (Essential Oils) Amenities and AVIVA dispensers to the hospitality industry. These new products fit into Pineapple Hospitality’s mission to promote products and programs designed to promote sustainability of both the environment and hospitality companies’ bottom lines. Not coincidentally, while both of these product lines can be purchased separately, they can most effectively be used together to eliminate the waste that comes from thousands of barely-used plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, and bars of soap that guests often don’t completely use and end up becoming landfill at tremendous...

SAN DIEGO—Planners of the Eighth Annual Resort Conference, the only conference planned by resort executives for resort executives, are educating attendees about ways to incorporate sustainable practices into their own day-to-day operations while taking steps to become more environmentally friendly. Conference planners are cutting down on paper use at the three-day conference April 16-18 at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. Attendees will receive an electronic show program on a specially produced jump drive that will replace the traditional printed program. The drive will contain session descriptions, sponsor information, speaker bios, attendee directory and copies of session presentations. “It’s a...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—WaterPure International, Inc. announced an agreement to place two Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) test units at a major international hotel chain. The two AWGs are part of a WaterPure environmental green initiative program targeting the lodging industry. The company is offering AWGs for evaluation at various hotels and expects to strategically position units throughout the lodging industry. AWGs from WaterPure produce three to five gallons of absolutely pure chilled or heated healthy drinking water each day using a condensation process that extracts moisture from the atmosphere. Similar in appearance to a traditional bottled water stand, the AWGs contradict...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc. announces the rollout of a new fabric collection from West Coast designer Thomas Schoos. Schoos’ earthy collection will debut at the Hospitality Design Exposition and Conference in Las Vegas on May 15. The collection will feature approximately 20 different hand-drawn patterns in 20 colorways with complimentary textures. “The FRESH line is a collection combining texture and color with lifestyle,” Schoos said. “Nature, when combined with these elements, is what I used to create the new look and feel of FRESH by Thomas Schoos. I think it’s very important to get this product out. I...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. and the state of Amazonas signed an agreement to support the first project of its kind to help protect 1.4 million acres of endangered rainforest. This innovative partnership between government and the private sector is one of the first in the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. Marriott has committed $2 million to fund an environmental management plan administered by the newly created Amazonas Sustainable Foundation. By year end, Marriott guests and group customers will also be able to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated from their hotel stays by contributing to this rainforest...

NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.—Napa Valley’s Silverado Resort has expanded its recycling program to include food scraps and grass clippings. The resort had already been recycling items such as plastic and paper. After six months of testing the program, the resort reports significant results: a reduction in generic garbage of almost 50 percent and a 50 percent savings on composting costs. The brainchild of long-time executive chef Peter Pahk, the program reflects the resort’s evolving and comprehensive approach to sustainability in all aspects of the resort’s operation—from farm to waste stream. The new recycling initiative is made possible with the help of...

ADELPHI, MD.—The UMUC Inn and Conference Center by Marriott (a Marriott managed property) was the first conference center and hotel in North America to be granted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in October of 2005. In 2008, to further demonstrate its commitment to the environment, the hotel has relaunched its recycling program and added a composting initiative to its food and beverage practices. “You cannot pick up a newspaper, magazine, or turn on the TV without seeing a company’s commitment to safer environmental practice,” said Mike McCarthy, general manager. “We have got to do the right thing...