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....

DAWSONVILLE, GA.—Project Planet Corp. and the Willard InterContinental Washington were recently featured on Channel 4 NBC in Washington, D.C. The “Going Green” news segment focused on the many ways the hotel has greened its operations, including the implementation of Project Planet’s linen and towel reuse program. Project Planet’s program is helping the hotel in many ways: reduced water consumption, lower energy costs and a reduction in the need for laundry chemicals. “We applaud the the hotel’s efforts and wish them big savings with the program,” says Karmen Pharris, sales and marketing director for Dawsonville, Ga.-based Project Planet....

OAK PARK, CALIF.—Designed to conserve water and reduce costs associated with water consumption, the Cyber-Rain XCI eight-zone sprinkler controller is an easy-to-use computerized system that manages an area’s watering needs. It is the most effective solution for hotels in areas with severe water shortages. The Cyber-Rain XCI combines the power of a PC, the internet, and the latest wireless technology to automatically manage a property’s watering schedule based on weather conditions. Features include software that allows you to set your watering schedule in minutes. The system will also automatically check your local weather forecast several times a day...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Water & Salt Consulting, Sac City, Iowa, as a Green Product Directory partner. The company’s Wellness Shower system not only removes 99 percent of chlorine from water for up to 24 months but also removes a host of other potentially harmful chemicals. It also enhances the water unlike any other shower system on the market. “The Wellness Shower is the only shower filter on the market that removes contaminants and also enhances the water for healthier and better looking skin and hair,” says Stan Zimmer, owner,...

NEW YORK—Last week’s International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, which drew more than 35,000 people, was packed with innovative products to help hoteliers clean naturally, save energy and water, and minimize waste generation. Also on hand were vendors offering everything from environmentally friendly wall coverings to nontoxic tub refinishing. Here are a just a few highlights from the 1,250 companies who exhibited at the lodging industry’s No. 1 trade event. Action Comax Environmental Inc., Newark, N.J., introduced its BioX high-volume organic waste decomposition system. Inside of a large steel container, food waste is broken down to liquid through biological decompostion. It...

OTTAWA, ONTARIO—A year and a half after launching its Green Key Eco-Rating program, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has rated more than 400 hotels and will soon have an additional 400 properties participating. Anthony Pollard, president of HAC, anticipates having 2,000 hotels on board by the end of 2007. With approximately 6,800 hotels in Canada, 2,000 properties would represent almost 30 percent of the total number. Even though there are other rating programs to choose from, hoteliers in Canada appear to have locked in on this one. Several factors are driving the program’s success. The first is...

MATLACHA, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the addition of the Bridge Water Inn to its Florida Green Lodging Program. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving green practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. “More than 60 percent of the average hotel’s solid waste is recyclable,” says Colleen M. Castille, DEP secretary. “By implementing reuse programs and conserving resources, the Bridge Water Inn is reinforcing its commitment to preserving Florida’s environment.” The Bridge Water Inn conserves water and energy through linen...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—An increasing number of organizations are recognizing benefits to their bottom line and the environment by committing to go beyond regulatory requirements. Among the 32 additional facilities added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Performance Track program is Aspen Skiing Co. “The more organizations that are engaged in the search for continuous improvement, the more we can achieve in terms of environmental results and effective partnerships,” says Performance Track director Dan Fiorino. “We congratulate our newest round of member facilities as they chart new paths toward environmental excellence.” The National Environmental Performance Track program recognizes...