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Mattress Makers Go Modular to Minimize Environmental Impact
NATIONAL REPORT—According to the American Hotel & Lodging Assn., there are approximately 4.4 million guestrooms in the United States. It is pretty safe to assume there is at least one mattress in each room. Assuming a thickness of 12 inches per mattress, the industry’s mattresses, stacked on top of one another, would reach 636 miles into the sky.
With mattresses replaced every seven years, on average, it is obvious the lodging industry has a huge waste management issue on its hands. Where do mattresses go when they are no longer useable? Most end up in landfills. Liability and hygiene issues...
It’s Time to Get a Grip on Lodging’s Mammoth Mattress Problem
Twenty-three cubic feet of space. That is how much room an average mattress occupies after it has been discarded in a landfill. As described in an article now appearing on Green Lodging News, the U.S. lodging industry has about a 636-mile-high pile of mattresses in use and waiting to be discarded. That is one impressive mountain of foam, wood and steel. Where do you send your mattresses once they are no longer suitable for guests? If it is a destination other than a landfill, please let me know. I would like to share that information with my readers.
I suspect,...
Milliken Walk Off Mats Launches Reclamation Program
LAGRANGE, GA.—Milliken Walk Off Mats, a global leader in manufacturing sustainable mat products, recently launched the mat industry’s first reclamation program during the Clean Show in Las Vegas.
“Offering an end of product life option to reduce waste fits Milliken’s sustainable practices and quality customer care,” says Chris Brown, Milliken Walk Off Mats’ global business manager.
Milliken offers an extensive range of mat products and services for the commercial, retail and rental markets in North America, Europe and Asia. The company has been the standard-bearer in mats for more than seven decades with an eco-heritage spanning more than 100 years....
InterfaceFLOR is First to Produce Post-Consumer Nylon 6,6 Carpet for Commercial Market
LAGRANGE, GA.—InterfaceFLOR is previewing new products that represent the first commercial carpet made from post-consumer, recycled nylon 6,6 fiber. InterfaceFLOR has formed an exclusive, international alliance with an Italian-American company to introduce a patent-pending technology that allows for effective and affordable reclamation of nylon 6,6 in order to recycle it for use in the commercial market.
Through the new technology, InterfaceFLOR will now be able to reclaim all types of carpet from both the commercial and residential marketplaces, regardless of the type of face fiber or backing used, thereby reducing waste sent to landfills and further reducing...
Luxury Spas Take Measures to Save Energy, Preserve the Environment
NATIONAL REPORT—Operating a spa in an environmentally responsible manner requires a lot more than using natural personal care products. Yes, offering such treatments is smart and provides a competitive advantage, but it is just a small part of running a “green” operation. How you manage water, lighting, heating and cooling, cleaning, purchasing, and even cooking is much more important. What those who have implemented green programs have discovered is that they need not sacrifice luxury—or profits—for sustainability.
To compete with leaders such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa and others that operate green spas,...
Fairmont Algonquin Has a ‘Whale’ of a Green Conservation Program
ST. ANDREWS BY-THE-SEA, NEW BRUNSWICK—The Fairmont Algonquin, which has been recognized several times by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for its environmental leadership, is doing its part to keep its idyllic location as unspoiled as possible. The 234-room property has initiated numerous green programs to conserve resources and minimize waste.
“The hotel is in a beautiful location,” says Angela Rafuse-Tahir, director of sales and marketing at the property that was built in the 1880s. “We need to take care of what Mother Nature has given us.”
The seaside hotel, which offers whale watching opportunities, sponsors a beluga whale and a right whale....
GLN Welcomes Sterling Sleep Systems as Directory Partner
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...
TCP Inc. Introduces Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Program
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...
New Sandpearl Resort Designed to Meet LEED Certification Standards
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...
Pineapple Hospitality Adds Buffet Burner to Line of Green Products
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...