DUBAI, U.A.E.—HMH is progressing well on its ECO Vision 2020 with the aim of reducing energy and water consumption at the various hotels managed by the group by 20 percent year over year.Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO of HMH—Hospitality Management Holdings, said, “We have been conducting regular audits across our properties to measure, manage and reduce our carbon footprint. We have developed practical, cost-effective strategies to reduce our carbon footprint by upgrading infrastructure and changing behaviors. Actions such as these are critical to mitigating the devastating impact of climate change on people and nature. We are very pleased with the...

NATIONAL REPORT—With many areas of the United States experiencing from abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions this summer, many hoteliers are taking a close look at opportunities for water savings. One area of operations where there is an opportunity to reduce water use significantly is the laundry. At least two companies—P&G Professional and Ecolab USA—are gaining traction with programs that not only save water but also reduce energy consumption and extend linen life as well. P&G Professional’s Tide Professional Coldwater Laundry System helps reduce the water used in a commercial washer by up to 40 percent. Ecolab’s Aquanomic Laundry...

SAN RAMON, CALIF.—According to fishnick, it has launched its Fe3 online sustainability training for foodservice professionals. Fe3 (Foodservice Energy Efficiency Expert) is an online training program designed specifically to educate and certify foodservice professionals in the fundamentals of energy and water efficiency for commercial foodservice.A few years ago, the fishnick team started the discussion of creating certification training for foodservice professionals that would be delivered on an e Learning platform. Fishnick enlisted a small team to help execute the idea and bring Fe3 to life.Fe3’s development team consists of: Richard Young (Curriculum Development - Fe3; Dir. of Education -...

PALATINE, ILL.—Shopmarketnet.com, a new e-commerce website, has been launched by MarketNet Associates LLC (MAI), an authorized distributor of products in the plumbing and service industries. Shopmarketnet.com stocks and sells a variety of soap and bathroom products for hotels, inns and lodges, including soap dispensers, soap dispenser refills, grid strainers, p-traps, flush valves, faucets and shower drains. The user-friendly website is designed to make ordering refills and products easier for plumbers, contractors, facility owners or anyone in the industry.The website's online ordering process allows for the purchase of refills and products in a fast, simple manner. Orders can be taken...

ITHACA, N.Y.—Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) has released the latest benchmarks from an ongoing international project to create default sustainability data for the global hotel industry. The report, “Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index 2016: Energy, Water, and Carbon,” led by Eric Ricaurte in collaboration with 11 global hotel firms, analyzes data provided for 8,880 properties. The report, which details the Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmark Index (CHSB), is available at no charge from the CHR at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.“By adding new segmentation by climate and hotel type, we have strengthened our industry-centric approach to this effort, given...

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.—The new Maytag Commercial Laundry Single-Load, Front-Load Washer is now available. Powered by an enhanced drive system, the high-efficiency machine uses approximately 10.71 gallons of water per cycle. “The machine’s enhancements help deliver outstanding efficiency, qualifying it for the Energy Star designation and making it an ideal choice for owners and route operators looking to boost their bottom line,” said Trey Northrup, General Manager of Maytag Commercial Laundry. “We are dedicated to manufacturing innovative products that deliver unmatched user experience, and this machine does just that.”Top innovations include:Advanced Spin Technology that offers excellent wash performance—Advanced Spin Technology...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Chicago Faucets, a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, introduces its new 3600 Series. The 3600 Series is the latest addition to the Chicago Faucets Metermix line of metering faucets. All 3600 Series faucets feature user-adjustable temperature control for a superior hand washing experience. Chicago Faucets’ MVP metering cartridge, the heart of the 3600 Series, provides precise water flow, automatic shut-off, and adjustable run time to save water with every use. A choice of flow rates from 0.35 GPM (1.3 L/min) to 1.5 GPM (5.7 L/min) allows specifiers and building owners to strike the right balance between water...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—The next generation Monolith system for wall-hung toilets adds new color selections, umber and sand, to its existing design palette. The new iridescent safety glass finishes join white and black options already available. The award-winning Monolith system also features a new “shadow gap” design for a tailored and fresh look.Geberit Monolith radically alters the look of the toilet tank while offering all the water-saving advantages of Geberit in-wall systems. Monolith’s sharp, modern design makes a bold statement, and a revamped installation technique makes installation easier than ever. The system is perfect for replacing a floor-mounted toilet with...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the inventor of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced that it has signed a $500,000 deal with commercial launderer Scarab Group in St. Thomas for its award-winning polymer bead cleaning laundry system. In one of the largest laundry deals on St. Thomas this year, the Scarab Group replaced all of their conventional washers with Xeros laundry systems to reduce their water and energy costs without sacrificing the quality of service to their luxury hotel customers. Based in St. Thomas, the sustainably focused Scarab Group provides laundry services to the majority of hotels across the island. Caribbean businesses...

PHILADELPHIA—It was just a year ago that Hersha Hospitality Trust released its first Sustainability Report. Last month, Jay Shah, CEO of the lodging REIT, announced the release of the company’s second Sustainability Report. According to Bennett Thomas, Senior Vice President of Finance and Sustainability for Hersha, it is one of only a few lodging REITs to issue a sustainability report. “Hersha is one of the few lodging REITs that report on sustainability,” Thomas says. Hersha’s second report reflects the activities of its 55 owned hotels.Last year was another strong year for sustainability accomplishments for Hersha. For the third time...