NEWH - Spring 2013 - (Page 38)

Product Know How Sustainability The Big ‘S’ Word Four companies discuss their efforts toward and challenges with sustainability By Kelly Hushin F or many product manufacturers, sustainability or green are no longer just buzzwords—they’re words to live by. While they will admit there is still a long way to go in many aspects of the process (Asian manufacturing, for instance, is still behind in many cases), they seem to unanimously agree that at least an effort to go green is nowadays expected. “Sustainability in hospitality has certainly become a preference rather than simply a requirement for LEED points,” said Mark Fales, a senior director of sales at Moen, Incorporated. For companies like Moen, producers of kitchen and bath fi xtures, sustainability is all about water conservation (though the company does also pride itself on other green practices, like incorporating nearly 13 million pounds of recycled metals into its products). All Moen lavatory faucets meet the EPA’s WaterSense criteria and feature flow-optimized aerators that use up to 32 percent less water without sacrificing performance. Moen also offers several WaterSense-certified showerheads that use up to 30 percent less water. “Now, commonplace at most properties,” Fales continued, “is a holistic approach to green.” Kohler currently offers more than 100 toilets, nearly 200 bathroom faucets, and more than 50 showerheads and handshowers that all carry the WaterSense label. (Kohler is the only company to earn five consecutive awards in as many years as the EPA has been administering its WaterSense honors.) “We have seen a significant interest in Kohler water-conserving plumbing products,” says Christopher Hahn, manager, corporate accounts worldwide, Americas, at Kohler. “Factors cited by our hospitality customers include rising utility costs, the expectations of their large corporate customers demanding lower-footprint hotels, and new plumbing codes dictating higher efficiency products.” Sustainability is a company-wide initiative, Hahn says, as Kohler is using more efficient manufacturing equipment and improved business processes, and has 130 global sustainability champions guiding its 30,000 associates. From top: Two new offerings from Moen: the 90° Single-Handle Vessel Lav Faucet and the 90° Single-Handle Lav Faucet with a four-function handshower and flushmount body sprays; and Kohler’s WaterSense-certified Numi and Persuade toilets. 38 www.newh.org http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2013

NEWH - Spring 2013
Table of Contents
News
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Point of View
Award of Excellence
Q&A: Brooke Taylor
Q&A: Stephanie Tristani
Q&A: Jacob Cross
Have You Seen?
Product Know How
On the Scene
For Lily Jack, it’s all in the details
Project: Revere Hotel Boston
Project: Indigo Garden Curacao
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Ad Index

NEWH - Spring 2013