PORTLAND, ORE.—The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Portland-Lloyd Center is doing its part to help make Portland one of the greenest meeting destinations in the United States. Host to the Green Meeting Industry Council’s recent Greening the Hospitality Industry Conference, the 476-room hotel is a national leader because of its commitment to sustainable hotel operations. From the lobby area, where recycling containers can be found, to the back of the house, where food scraps are collected for composting, the Doubletree’s commitment to waste reduction is evident. Purchasing policies ensure that waste and recycled content is considered before anything is...

NATIONAL REPORT—In a three-week period, Denver was hit with three major snowstorms unlike any the area has experienced in decades. Each one caused the city to essentially shut down. At about the same time this was happening, New Yorkers were enjoying near 70 degree weather, at least 30 degrees warmer than what is expected this time of the year. Although global warming may indeed be playing a part in this year’s crazy weather, scientists say a lot of it is because of El Niño, a weather pattern that has played havoc in North America before. In the past it has...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Environmental Protection Agency is releasing a final specification for the latest generation of water-saving, high-efficiency toilets. Those that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush and meet performance standards for quality will qualify for EPA’s WaterSense label to help consumers make informed buying decisions about water-efficient products. “The WaterSense label will help consumers identify high-performing, water-efficient products,” saYS EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Benjamin H. Grumbles. “By purchasing WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, consumers can help protect the water supply and their wallets.” The new toilets are the product of extensive research in fluid dynamics conducted...

KOHLER, WISC.—Kohler Co., a leader in kitchen and bath design and technology, has joined the Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments. Founded in 2003, the mission of the Alliance’s international corporate members is to educate the marketplace and top management on the benefits of reducing the overall impact facilities have on the natural environment and on building occupants. Members include Johnson Controls, Milliken & Co., Forbo Flooring, Philips Lighting, JohnsonDiversey, Owens Corning, USG Corporation, and now Kohler. The Alliance invited Kohler to join based on the company’s commitment to water conservation through its product offerings, its recognition of sustainability...

VISTA, CALIF.—Facility managers may now take advantage of a free evaluation sheet to determine if waterless urinal systems will help them save money and water. Developed by Waterless Co., makers of Waterless No-Flush urinals, Vista, Calif., the evaluation sheet asks facility managers a series of simple questions, such as: • How many males populate the facility? • Number of urinals in the facility? • Hours of operation? • Amount of water used per urinal, per flush? • Local water and sewer rates per 1,000 gallons? Most urinals use between one and three gallons of water, depending on...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Using less water and energy than other conveyor dishwashers with equal productivity on the market today, the Conveyor Dishwasher Line by Electrolux Professional North America is the highly efficient solution for medium to high output warewashing demands. The Electrolux Conveyor Dishwasher can be set to clean at either 130 or 200 racks per hour to accommodate varied requirements. At 200 racks per hour, the dishwasher uses only 79 gallons of water per hour. It is ideal for use in hotels, catering and full-service restaurants. The Electrolux Conveyor Dishwasher provides energy savings through the use of...

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with OzoneSolutions Inc. to help Florida’s lodging industry protect the state’s environment. The partnership is the latest component of DEP’s Green Lodging initiative to encourage hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving ‘green’ practices that conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality and reduce waste. “Through the Green Lodging program, DEP is encouraging the lodging industry to become environmental leaders in their community,” says DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Florida’s certified Green Lodges and program partners continue to save money and conserve resources while at the same time...

VANCOUVER, WASH.—The Hilton Vancouver Washington—one of the country’s first green, environmentally sustainable hotels—has been certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, the nationally accepted benchmark for green buildings. This coveted certification recognizes buildings’ superior performance in areas such as water savings, low-impact landscaping, reduced energy use and indoor air quality. The Hilton Vancouver Washington is the first LEED-certified Hilton in the world and one of only a handful of LEED-certified hotels in the United States. “We are obviously very proud to have a hotel in America’s Vancouver receive this prestigious certification,” says Mayor Royce Pollard. “It is...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Mirage’s $7 billion City Center project, an 18-million-square-foot development that will encompass 76 acres of the Las Vegas Strip between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts, is moving closer to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification one big bucket of dirt at a time. Construction has been underway for nine months now and foundations have been poured for each of the project’s seven towers. Set to open in late 2009, the mixed-use project will include the following: a soaring 60-story, 4,000-room hotel tower, casino and convention center; a five-star, 400-room Mandarin Oriental; 400-room Harmon...

Many business owners and managers are well aware of the problems caused by hard water—from clogged pipes and iron stains to spotty glassware and inferior drinking water. What they’re not always aware of, however, is the impact of hard water on energy use and the associated costs. In hotels there are several types of equipment that can be affected by hard water, in terms of impaired efficiency and wasted energy: boilers, hot water heaters, cooling towers, humidifiers, washing machines, dishwashers, and shower heads to name a few. Let’s take a look at how hard water affects the energy efficiency of boilers....