SHEFFIELD, MASS.—Cypress Hotel & Spa, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxurious bathrobes, towels, slippers, and sheets for the hospitality and spa industry for more than 25 years, announced that their exclusive MicroCotton Green Earth towel has been re-engineered to be more absorbent, durable and eco-friendly. “In today’s eco-economy, it is critical for hotels to reduce energy usage and expenditures,” stated Gene Faul, Cypress founder and CEO. “However, most hoteliers have been reluctant to implement the use of ‘green’ or organic linens because they are typically not as soft, durable or luxurious as traditional ones. Our new Green Earth...

DENVER—The Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center has begun to implement a comprehensive sustainability program designed to minimize the hotel’s overall carbon footprint and decrease its environmental impact. “Sparked by the passion of our staff and our customers, and Hyatt’s desire to be a part of the solution, we felt compelled to develop and implement long-term sustainability programs that would have lasting, positive results,” commented John Schafer, general manager of Hyatt Regency Denver. “Living in Colorado and waking up to one of the most magnificent views every day is a constant reminder of our connection to the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The EPA is accepting nominations for the 2008 Water Efficiency Leader Awards to recognize organizations and individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in water efficiency. Winners will be chosen by a panel of national water experts and based on three criteria: leadership, innovation, and water saved. “We encourage organizations and individuals who are saving water, energy and money for our nation’s families and communities to apply for the 2008 Water Efficiency Leader Awards,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA’s assistant administrator for water. “Together, we are proving innovative technology and environmental stewardship can help conserve our country’s greatest...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Caroma as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Caroma is a leading producer of high efficiency dual flush toilets. Averaging 0.9 gallons per flush (gpf), Caroma’s WaterSense-approved Smart Technology toilets provide water savings up to 44 percent compared to 1.6 gpf and 74 percent compared to 3.5 gpf toilets. The toilets are also available in Elongated and Easy Height (ADA height). With large trapways, Caroma toilets are virtually unblockable. Caroma is also a producer of bathroom sinks, urinals and toilet seats. For additional information, call (800) 605-4218,...

VISTA, CALIF.—Nearly 100 commercial, educational, and government building facility managers, who have installed waterless or no-water urinal systems in their facilities, were asked their thoughts on waterless or no-flush urinals. “This is one of the few surveys taken on the subject,” says Klaus Reichardt, founder and managing partner of Waterless Co. LLC, the oldest U.S. manufacturer of waterless urinals. “However, with the growing interest in greening building operations, the systems are becoming quite common and are now found in many locations.” As to overall opinions, when asked if they had a choice between installing conventional or waterless urinals again, 60 percent...

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...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes ConservCo Water Conservation Products as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. ConservCo provides water conservation auditing, consulting, planning, and implementation services. By utilizing its many water-conserving products, ConservCo can reduce water waste, lower energy and sewer expenses, and help hoteliers earn two water efficiency points toward LEED certification. ConservCo begins with a thorough audit of the property to evaluate how much water is being used, and to determine how much water is actually wasted. ConservCo then identifies available local water utility rebates. Each audit is tailored to...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—Hilton Hotels Corp. announced short and long term goals and objectives towards building sustainability into the core fabric of its businesses worldwide. Christopher J. Nassetta, President & CEO, outlined directional targets for improvement in the company’s sustainability performance throughout the next five years within systemwide hotels globally. By 2014, goals for the Hilton Family of Hotels are to: • Reduce energy consumption from direct operations by 20 percent; • Reduce Co2 emissions by 20 percent; • Reduce output of waste by 20 percent; and • Reduce water consumption by 10 percent. “Upon becoming a truly global company with the acquisition of Hilton International and following the...

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Assn. launched “Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability”, an initiative designed to support the United States’ nearly one million restaurant and foodservice locations as they become more eco-friendly, at the Association’s recent Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. The Conserve website will educate restaurateurs on how taking small steps over time—or bigger steps for those who choose to do so—can make a difference for the future of our planet, as well as be positive for business. “We are launching Conserve to raise awareness and provide resources and information about eco-friendly practices to the entire restaurant and foodservice community,” said...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality now offers fully customizable linen and towel reuse cards. Cards are 4 inches by 6 inches, and are printed on 80 percent recycled paper with minimum 40 percent post-consumer content coated stock with vegetable and soy-based inks. Pineapple Hospitality offers multiple categories of stock designs for its custom linen and towel reuse cards. Most colors and fonts can be changed. Layout of images and text also can be changed. The card size can be customized as well. If that’s not enough, Pineapple’s graphic design team can create something new just for a property—be it posters,...