Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/01/30/hotels-can-save-big-whi…

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is trialling a new on-line system called ‘Green Engage*’, which will help hotel general managers manage energy consumption more effectively. Early trials have shown potential energy savings of up to 25%. If fully adopted by all hotels across the over 4,000 strong IHG portfolio, it is estimated that the savings for hotel owners could be as much as $200 million.

The system, which was developed by IHG, has been developed for use across IHG’s seven brands including InterContinental(R) Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, following final trials in 650 hotels which will start late January 2009. It is expected the system will be offered as an option to all over 4,000 hotels across the IHG estate from mid 2009.

The IHG “Green Engage” software works by hotels directly inputting data on site. The system automatically compares hotels of a…

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Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2009/01/green-up-your-launde…

Ever think what a little tweak here and there to a huge industry such as dry cleaning? There are about 6 dry cleaners just in my one block radius, and they each get enough business to sustain themselves, so it makes me wonder; what kind of impact could a single little change do to preserving [...]

Related posts:

1. Eco-Me Clean with Green - DIY Natural Home Cleaning Kits
2. Eco-friendly and Sustainable Fashionable Bags - City Kitty Design
3. Green Materials for Eco Friendly Design - Sustainable Materials and Green Building Products

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/01/29/green-spa-network-gains…

Auberge Resorts today announced its company-wide membership in the Green Spa Network, the premiere spa industry association dedicated to bringing greening and sustainability to the health, wellness and beauty community. All of the spas at Auberge Resorts properties in Napa Valley, Southern California, Mexico and South Carolina, along with the first property under its new Solage brand, have joined the network.

With this move, Auberge Resorts becomes the first company in the hotel industry to make a corporate-level commitment to sustainable spa operations.

Auberge Resorts has been a supporter of the green spas movement since Tracy Lee, Vice President Spa Development and Operations, served on a sustainability task force for the International Spa Association (ISPA) three years ago and helped focus the industry on the need for greater environmental stewardship. The Spa at Calistoga Ranch helped pioneer the Green Spa Network as one of the original “seed spas” in 2006 by…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/01/29/hotel-indigo-coming-to-…

The all-new Hotel Indigo San Diego will open this summer adjacent to San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, a neighborhood known for its energetic business and entertainment district. Launched in 2004, Hotel Indigo caters to guests who desire affordable luxury, personal service and an alternative to traditional hotels without sacrificing any of the business amenities they have come to expect.

Currently under construction, Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter is located at 950 Island Ave., just one block from Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, and less than a mile from the San Diego Convention Center. The 12-story, 210-room property, including five suites, will feature a rooftop terrace with a reflection pool, fire pits, soft seating and an excellent view of the San Diego skyline and baseball games at Petco Park. The property will be managed by IHG’s Americas operations division, The Hotel Management Group.

Hotel Indigo San Diego will serve as a west coast flagship for IHG…

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When you are building a new home, you want to have it your way, and rightly so. Everything from the floor plan layout, the home’s character and style, features, systems, materials, and décor should reflect who you are and your philosophy on life. Hiring an architect for the design and project management of the home can make the whole process go smoothly. Here are some of the skills an architect brings to a project and some of the functions he or she performs:

1. Understands the Scope of the Project: A licensed architect understands the details and phases of the project and has the expertise to develop and refine the vision so you can understand the scope of the project.

2. Knows State and Local Codes: The licensed architect is knowledgeable in the building codes applicable to your project and designs the structure of the home to meet these codes. They usually prepare most of the documentation necessary for you to get your building permits, saving you both time and money.

3. Hires…

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/vzkgTZNtU_…

Photo by permission of Beth Terry

A couple of months ago, I wrote about Clorox’s  FilterForGood campaign which encourages people to buy a Brita water filtration pitcher rather than buy plastic bottles.  I felt their marketing campaign was an oxymoron.  At one hand, they were promoting their Brita pitcher as saving the Earth from horrid plastic bottles. However, on the other hand, the Company refused to take back their filters, which would end up in a landfill.  Brita in Europe was in fact recycling theirs.  This just did not make any sense to me.

Beth of Fake Plastic Fish and Take Back the Filter took matter into her own hands and started a campaign to urge Clorox to take back the filters.  She urged people to send her their filters and to sign a petition. She established a Take Back the Filter Facebook page, Yahoo Group, and a MySpace Page.  Her story appeared in the NY Times.  Ideal Bite listed it in one of their daily tip.   By the time Terry’s petition received…

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Author: Davina
Website: http://flgreenliving.com/blog/2009/01/28/miami-beach-commiss…

The Land Use and Development Committee met previously this month to discuss a green building ordinance.  All commissioners in attendance agreed it was best to encourage developers to build environmentally friendly structures and to get their projects LEED certified versus forcing them to do so.  Miami Beach commissioners in attendance were: Saul Gross, Jerry Libbin, Victor Diaz and Jonah Wolfson.  

LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification process upheld by the U.S. Green Building Council.  They grant certifications based on a point system; the higher the points, the more environmentally sound a building is.  The certification process can be daunting, timely and costly, yet, in the end, the building has a “golden seal of approval” that is recognized world-wide. 

Regarding the ordinances, The Real Deal South Florida, stated 

“Once passed, the voluntary green building ordinance will refund any fees developers pay to get LEED Silver certified…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/01/28/un-energy-program-put-t…

With climate change a growing concern and the economic crisis affecting their bottom line, European hoteliers are about to take part in a United Nations-backed program designed to reduce energy consumption and lead to significant savings in operating costs with a goal to achieve a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency and a 10 percent increase in using renewable, energy-new technologies.

The Energy Efficiency Excellence for the Tourism Industry project aims to research and develop future energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for hotels in the 27 member countries of the European Union. According to the UNWTO, the international hotel sector is one of the tourism industry’s largest drivers of employment and economic revenue and also is among the most energy-intensive sectors.

Worldwide carbon dioxide emissions from the accommodation sector were estimated at 274 million tons in 2005, or 21 percent of the total from the tourism industry.

In practical terms, the…

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Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2009/01/renewable-cork-barwa…

Given my recent articles on all things cork and organic spirits for green cocktails, it seems only fitting to feature a cork bar set to bridge the two. A fully cork wrapped mixer, ice bucket, wine cooler, serving tray and bartender utensils and accessories such as a strainer, jigger, zester and bottle opener are included [...]

Related posts:

1. The Magic of Cork - Renewable, Sustainable and Good For Global Warming
2. Eco Game of High Low - Green-ish Turntable Record Players for all you Vinyl Lovers
3. MetaForm Studio

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/tTIovwjSsm…

 
Photo by Shawn Ford 

Millions of broken crayons are thrown away every day. Since they are petroleum based, it will take centuries for them to biodegrade.  Did you ever stop to think that you could recycle or reuse those old crayons?  Here are some suggestions:

 Recycle those Old Crayons with Crazy Crayons or The CrayonBin

 Wisconsin based Crazy Crayons collects old crayons and recycles them into new crayons and fire starters. The Company has collected over 34,000 pounds of crayons since its inception in 1993.  Their hand crafted crayons are like a work of art where no two are the same.  They offer hundreds of shapes and themes such as teddy bears, insects, and custom designs.  Unfortunately, none of their designs are listed on their website.

 Crazy Crayons not only uses recycled products, they also care about how the crayons are packaged for resale. All crayons are packaged in recycled cardboard boxes.  Some are packaged in cellophane, which is made from tree gum,…

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