ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL.—The VITO X-Series—the first patented vacuum filtration system in hospitality—is now available. “The industry needed a filtration solution for restaurants serving a high volume of fried dishes, food productions with larger fryers or catering operations requiring a time efficient and convenient way to filter their frying oil,” says Andreas Schmidt, CEO of VITO AG, Germany. “We at VITO decided to fill this void by manufacturing the first ever vacuum filtration system called the X-Series. We are proud to announce the availability also in the United States.” The X-Series works based on a simple principle with a focus on...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes TQ Industries Hotel Carts Manufacturing and Sales to its Green Product & Service Directory in the “Carts/Housekeeping/Laundry/Luggage” category. There is no plastic involved with TQ Hotel carts. All models are manufactured from 30 percent post-consumer aluminum. Manufacturing from aluminum enables TQ to create an extremely durable product, lightweight to push, capable of being customized and 100 percent recyclable. Models for: room make-up, small “roll into the room” carts, houseman baskets, luggage and custom carts. Thousands of dollars are wasted repairing scratched walls each year. TQ models are equipped with lowered “durable” rolling bumpers that...

MARKHAM, ONT.—Green practices and environmental responsibility are growing property prerequisites for many travelers. Maestro’s most recent property software innovations reduce paper use and simplify the guest journey at every touchpoint beginning with Digital Signature Registration Card through to Mobile Check-Out, streamlining operations and reducing the dependency on paper. “Many Maestro PMS users are independent operators committed to running their properties in ways that protect the environment,” said Warren Dehan, Maestro PMS President. “Maestro works with these operators to create responsible system processes that support their sustainability goals.” “Sustainability is now a defining element for trendy urban properties and stylish beach resorts,”...

For those of you not familiar with Hersha Hospitality Trust, it is a real estate investment trust that invests in hotels (48 hotels, 7,644 rooms). The company is organized in Maryland, with its principal office in Harrisburg, Pa. Hersha created its award-winning sustainability program, EarthView, in 2010. Hersha just released its 2018 Sustainability Report. According to Hersha, since 2010 it has seen a $65 million increase in portfolio value thanks to EarthView. It has also experienced $11 million in savings. Compared to 2010, Hersha has seen a 15 percent reduction in energy per square foot, 41 percent reduction in greenhouse...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Boxed Water Is Better™ to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Water/Sustainably Packaged category. Guests want to do all they can to help end the plastic pollution problem. Boxed Water offers award winning pure water in a box that is made from 74 percent sustainable materials (paper). When Boxed Water Is Better customers post pictures on social media, the company will plant two trees in national forests. Boxed Water Is Better has planted 790,000 trees so far. Boxed Water is Better can also help hotels organize events that support sustainability. Visit boxedwaterisbetter.com,...

Boxed Water Is Better A Sustainable Alternative to Plastic Water Bottles Guests want to do all they can to help end the plastic pollution problem. Boxed Water offers award winning pure water in a box that is made from 74 percent sustainable materials (paper). We also help you create a memorable experience; when your customers post pictures on social media, we will plant 2 trees in our national forests. We’ve planted 790,000 trees so far. We can also help you organize events that support sustainability. Visit our site at boxedwaterisbetter.com, e-mail us at hello@boxedwaterisbetter.com, or call 1-844-429-3987. Boxed Water Is Better » Email...

Plastic has been the topic of several of my columns recently. I would like to add one more to the list for three reasons: Orbitz, Yelp, and the results of a very important study published earlier this month in Nature Geoscience. First, Orbitz is helping travelers stay at waste-conscious hotels by listing hotels and locations on its website that are doing their part to reduce or eliminate waste—specifically single-use plastic. The website includes a clickable U.S. map that explains specifically what type of plastic has been banned by the entire state or part of the state. In Illinois, for example,...

As a society, we are more aware than ever before of the damage our lifestyles are causing the environment and the rest of the world. We are much more aware of environmental issues than any generation before us, so many of us seek ways to live a greener lifestyle to try and limit the damage being caused to our planet. You may initially feel overwhelmed by what changes you should make in order to live a more environmentally-friendly and greener lifestyle, but there are many small but significant changes you can make that will make a huge difference. Here are...

NATIONAL REPORT—Rechargeable, “flameless” LED candles have been around for quite some time but technological advances, design improvements and environmental and economic awareness have made them the preferred choice for thousands of hoteliers and restaurateurs.The environmental impact of the burning and disposing of wax candles is significant. According to The Amazing Flameless Candle, a 48-table restaurant will go through 122,000 tea lights, 61,000 votives or 17,000 non-recyclable, oil saturated plastic fuel cell containers over five years as compared to just 48 flameless candles.In addition to the waste-related costs associated with disposable candles, there...

CHICAGO—Orbitz is helping travelers stay at waste-conscious hotels by listing hotels and locations on its website that are doing their part to reduce or eliminate waste—specifically single-use plastic. The website includes a clickable U.S. map that explains specifically what type of plastic has been banned by the entire state or part of the state. In Illinois, for example, part of the state has banned plastic bags. In South Carolina, part of the state has banned plastic straws. To get your property listed, write to press@orbitz.com.