NATIONAL REPORT—Green Lodging News recently sent queries to more than 30 suppliers of green amenities, asking them what “new and hot” products they will be making available to the hospitality market in 2013. Eleven companies responded and sent product descriptions as well as photos of their product lines. Throughout the material there was common language—indicators of what is now accepted as “green” when considering amenities. Several suppliers mentioned adding an additive to their tubes or bottles to accelerate the speed at which the plastic biodegrades in landfills. Others mentioned cardboard packaging made with recycled content. Also common: the use of soy-based ink. Of course the words “organic” and “natural” were used often and vendors made a point of saying what their products do not include: parabens, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, surfactants sodium laureth, harsh preservatives, artificial colorants, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA, and propylene glycol.
“Cruelty-free” and “no animal testing” were also common mentions and suppliers offering dispensers emphasized the availability of product in bulk, a purchasing option that allows one to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of amenity purchasing.
Here then are the descriptions provided by the vendors:
Concept Amenities’ Jean-Michel Cousteau collection offers a comprehensive line of liquids, soaps and accessories to complement any luxury hotel accommodation. This signature collection is inspired by the beauty and wonders of the oceans and reflects Jean-Michel Cousteau’s life-long commitment to the environment. Each formulation is enriched with 100 percent organic seaweed extract and infused with the aroma essences of apple, coconut and florals. The plastic packaging components biodegrade in landfill to CO2, water and humus, leaving nothing that’s harmful to the environment behind. All packaging is ERP; both recyclable and biodegradable.
Gilchrist & Soames’s Verde Collection refreshes the senses with the rich, warm, natural palette of the Mediterranean featuring the climate’s abundant botanical extracts of olive leaf, basil, grape seed, lemon, and fig to nurture the hair and skin. Verde is available in 1oz and 2oz recyclable HDPE bottles along with a selection of vegetable-based soaps and necessity items. The skin-friendly formulations contain no parabens, phthalates, petrol-derived ingredients, mineral oil, urea, DEA, TEA or propylene glycol. They do contain food-grade, naturally derived USP glycerin and natural conditioning agents from honey and the brassica plant. Gilchrist & Soames never tests on animals.
The EARTHOLOGY from Pineapple Hospitality story begins with natural and organic plant-based essences cultivated to create luxurious hair and skin care. Earthology cruelty-free products refresh, condition and nurture without the use of sulfates, parabens, harsh preservatives and artificial colorants.
April Introduction from Sysco Guest Supply
Coming in April is Earthtempo Bodycare from Sysco Guest Supply. Earthtempo Bodycare is an eco-chic personal care amenity line that combines gentle 100 percent paraban free formulas that protect the water and waste stream. Soaps are pure vegetable base and accessories are packaged in recycled paper printed with natural soy inks. The tubes and caps have been blended with a non-toxic compound, EnvoClean, which enhances their biodegrading in a typical landfill.
Drawing on the personality of the sprawling beauty of Italian city gardens where aging statues, fountains, and intricate botanical gardens abound, the Borghese Giardino amenity collection found its inspiration. The scent includes notes of orange, litsea cubeba, coriander, lemon, basil and bay. Liquids are “green-based” paraben-free and do not contain synthetic colors or fragrances nor SSL (surfactants sodium laureth) or SLS (sodium laurel sulfate). Borghese encourages sustainability by using recyclable PE tubes printed with soy-based ink. Introduced in 2013, Borghese Giardino is available from JRS Amenities in 30 ml tubes and/or 5-liter bulk formulations.
Hotels are experiencing that today’s guests do not merely want to consume. Ethical and ecological values increasingly have become deciding factors. Especially body care products are expected to be safe, both for the skin and the environment. Naturals from Swisssol Inc. offers the essence of organically grown lemons, oranges and olives. The modern formulation emphasizes skin friendly ingredients from organic farming, a very mild preservation and the omission of a majority of synthetic additives.
Drawing on LATHER’s longstanding heritage as a modern apothecary, and inspired by the company’s signature retail products, the new Bamboo Lemongrass collection features botanically-rich, refreshing formulations to nourish the body and pure lemongrass essential oil to invigorate the senses. Gentle on the earth as well as the skin, environmentally-responsible packaging is exemplified in this collection, which utilizes post-consumer recycled materials including recycled water bottles and cartons made from recycled paper, printing with soy-based inks, and EcoPure technology which aids in the biodegradation process. Formulations are free of parabens, DEA/TEA, propylene glycol, and contain no synthetic colors or fragrances.
Pacific Direct Relaunches Eco Boutique
Pacific Direct’s most successful environmentally friendly brand has been given a chic new makeover. Following its original launch in 2009 to meet the growing demands of ethical and environmentally conscious luxury hoteliers, Eco Boutique has been relaunched with a sleek new look and a unique, elegant fragrance. The delicate scent of Mimosa has been combined with extracts of organic green tea and natural aloe leaf. Pacific Direct never uses parabens, sulphates, silicones, mineral oils, DEA or artificial colors. The stylish new bottles are made from packaging that is 97 percent derived from post-consumer recycled plastic, while the 98 percent natural soap is wrapped in paper derived from a sustainable source.
Custom Amenities Inc. announces the newest addition to their in-stock guest room toiletry collection: Hydro Spa byECOSciences. Hydro Spa guest amenities are made up of salon grade liquids and guest soaps. Hydro Spa byECOSciences features frosted soft touch squeeze bottles with easy to use flip top caps and eucalyptus blend formulas. Hydro Spa guest amenity bottles are made using ESA bio-tech degradable plastic. This new technology allows the bottles to biodegrade (once disposed of) in nine months to five years. (Regular plastic literally takes tens of thousands of years.) Hydro Spa guest amenity soaps are made using vegetable base ingredients. The body soap is an oatmeal blend, and both soaps use the company’s newest fragrance formula: Honey Spice.
RoomService Amenities’ new personal care line is Signature NATÜRA. Sig|Natüra offers modern style from a budget friendly, eco-conscious perspective. This unique eco-efficient doypack is a resealable, stand-alone pouch that utilizes 65 percent less plastic than a typical 30 ml bottle. A reduction in raw materials prevents unnecessary waste while being fully collapsible and recyclable. The doypack offers multiple uses via a tamper-evident attached resealable cap, which guarantees safety and prevents clogged drains. The flexible material is easily squeezable and allows for full use of product.
Garden Voyage Botanicals (Select Amenities) is launching an amenities range which will be available in the hospitality market in the second quarter as the distribution network is finalized. Inspired by the great botanical gardens, the brand invites the traveler to “take a voyage through our garden” and incorporates essential oils for their calming and uplifting benefits and enriching ingredients like Shea Butter to better moisturize dry skin. The American made all vegetable soaps have recycled paper wrappers and feature striking (and a bit quirky) botanical illustrations printed with soy inks.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
