SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—ClearWater Tech, representing EcoTex Ozone Laundry Systems, has been evaluated and approved for energy and water efficiency by the U.S. Department of Energy. The U.S. Department of Energy commissioned a report to evaluate energy efficient technologies within the commercial on-premise laundry (OPL) market. After consideration of several alternative technologies, they chose to do their research on ozone for the report.The study proved the validity of EcoTex Technology as a quick return-on-investment, energy and water savings, and customer satisfaction.“Although this report does not begin to reflect our more typical eight month ROI from EcoTex,” says ClearWater Tech’s...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, continued to demonstrate its leadership in sustainability best practices in 2013, reducing its operationally controlled asset water usage globally by 16 percent per square foot and its carbon emissions by 13 percent per square foot from the 2010 baseline. In the company’s fourth year of formal sustainability reporting, its 2013 Sustainability Responsibility Report details its strong commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. Wyndham Worldwide is one of the first hospitality companies to use the progressive G4 Sustainability Reporting Structure to report its economic, environmental and social performance.“Our...

ORLANDO, FLA.—It is hard to miss the lush, green tropical lemongrass and other plant life that adorn the green roofs that are sprouting on buildings throughout Central Florida and beyond. What you might not see at first glance, however, is the innovative soil media that keeps the grasses and plants firmly rooted and thriving. Developed by the University of Central Florida’s Stormwater Management Academy, the patented Bold & Gold soil media also provides significant filtration and reduction of stormwater runoff and is now deployed on more than 50,000 square feet of green roofs throughout Florida.For its part, the Bold...

KA‘ANAPALI, MAUI, HAWAII—Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is celebrating its LEED Silver EBOM (Existing Building Operations and Maintenance) certification, awarded as a result of a long term commitment to environmental sustainability. This certification is the first of any building in the state of Hawaii. The property recently completed renovations throughout the resort, including the pool area, Drums of the Pacific Luau, and dining outlets. Throughout the renovation process members of the Hyatt Regency Maui operations team worked closely with property owner Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and with third-party consultants Green Building Hawaii to make the necessary environmentally...

NATIONAL REPORT—You need not take more than a quick glance at the U.S. Drought Monitor to see that something is awry in California. Much of the state is in dark red—exceptional drought. Other parts of the state are in either extreme or severe drought. Sources of water for the Golden State are shrinking—both above ground and below ground. According to University of Colorado geoscientist Brad Udall, drought, combined with overuse have produced some of the Colorado River’s lowest flows in more than 1,000 years. As many as 40 million people in the Southwest rely on the Colorado for drinking...

VISTA, CALIF.—What is interesting about the California drought currently impacting the area is not necessarily the severity of it. Instead, it is how the state seems to be handling it in stride, with relatively minor impact on communities. While some industry sectors are definitely being impacted—and we may not have seen the worst—compared to the last “major” drought in California (1976-1977), there have been considerable changes for the better. One of the big differences is that, compared to the current drought, the 1977 drought involved two very dry years—1976 and 1977—with 1977 being the then-driest year on record. The current...

MINNEAPOLIS—IrriGreen, Inc. has introduced its IrriGreen Genius™ Irrigation System. It uses up to 50 percent less water than other systems. IrriGreen digitally controls its sprinklers to match watering patterns to the exact shape of any lawn. IrriGreen thereby curtails inefficient spray overlap, reins in wasteful over-spraying, and reduces runoff. Property owners enjoy green lawns and lower water bills. Landscape contractors save time and reduce costs because IrriGreen requires the installation and maintenance of up to 80 percent fewer sprinkler heads and up to 85 percent less underground pipe.Smart controllers process environmental data to regulate the timing and duration of...

LOS ANGELES—Energy and environmental enthusiasts are increasingly calling businesses to take green action and implement sustainable initiatives. Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is continuing to make great strides and is one of the few Green Seal Silver certified environmentally conscious lodging facilities in California. The hotel executives understand sustainability as the ability to meet present needs without comprising that of future generations.The property is committed to energy conservation, waste minimization and executing an environmentally friendly operation. By doing this, the hotel is not only helping to reduce the greenhouse emissions that impact global climate change and save energy; but also...

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.—Surrounded by the six million protected acres of the Adirondack Park—the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous U.S. states—Whiteface Lodge is mindful of the very special place it occupies in the world. From the timber used in its construction in 2005, all of which was found on-property, to its reuse of dying trees on its land as mulch and in landscaping, the rustic resort continues to strengthen its conservation commitment as awareness increases and technology improves. Among its recent meaningful green measures:•    A total of 7,993 bars of soap (and counting) recycled and distributed to families...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—T&S Brass and Bronze Works announces the release of their ECR-D0810-107, a new ChekPoint Rinse Faucet and spray head. The ECR-D0810-107 combines the reliability of ChekPoint faucets with the rinsing ability of B-0107-series spray heads for use in ware washing applications. The faucet features a rigid 90° riser and B-0107 spray head attached via a 360° swivel, making it easy for users to direct the rinse spray.Other features of the ECR-D0810-107 include: reliable and robust below-deck electronics; heavy-duty brass construction; 4 ‘AA’ batteries included along with 12 ft. (3.66 m) plug-in wall transformer with split-tail with additional...