Eco

February 4, 2009 - T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Motorola today announced the retail availability of the MOTO W233 Renew, the ideal mobile phone for eco-conscious consumers. A first of its kind, and initially exclusive to only T-Mobile customers, the plastic phone housing for the Renew is comprised of recycled water bottles and is entirely recyclable.

The Renew, available for $9.99 with a two-year service agreement, is an affordable option for T-Mobile customers committed to making a difference and reducing their carbon footprint. Through an alliance with Carbonfund.org™, Motorola offsets the carbon dioxide required to manufacture, distribute and operate the phone through investments in renewable energy sources and reforestation, making it the first carbon-neutral mobile phone. Read more

January 15, 2009 -- No styrofoam cups or solvents can be found anywhere in the 100% non-smoking Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills, which opened last fall with a full green agenda from the start. What guests will find is one of the area's few hybrid parking places that the hotel installed to increase consumer awareness and encourage guests to save gas and use lower emission transportation.

The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills is helping set eco-standards in the travel industry by instituting creative and aggressive programs to save water, energy and reduce solid waste. For example, in the area of water conservation, the hotel has implemented "Conserving for Tomorrow," an environmental program developed exclusively for InterContinental Hotels Group (the hotel's franchise company). There are low flow systems for faucets, toilets and showers, and guests are asked to use linens more than once to save water, detergent and energy. This program saves the hotel 7,200 gallons of water and 51 gallons of detergent per month. In addition, any chemicals used are eco-friendly.

Guests are greeted by a front desk and lobby Kirei board both made from reclaimed agricultural fiber, an eco-friendly wood substitute. Wall coverings are low VOC (volatile organic compound); Shaw Indigo wood laminate in guestrooms is made with 70% pre-consumer recycled content, and Johnsonite Millwork Base (an economical alternative to real wood that contributes to forest conservation) is featured in guestrooms and corridors. Read more

October 1, 2008 — Vroom Vroom Vroom, an eco-conscious car rental site, announces its official U.S. launch, bringing stateside consumers a fast, hassle-free and environmentally friendly car rental booking service. The new site enables customers to make reservations with all major car rental companies in more than 2,000 U.S. locations, including major airports, city centers, and smaller regional towns, and boasts the industry’s fastest interface (28.5 seconds to complete a reservation). Vroom Vroom Vroom is the first car rental site to provide carbon offset credits with each rental, at no cost to the customer. Renters get the benefit of no cancellation restrictions and a lowest price guarantee that offers $10 if a lower rate is found elsewhere. And one lucky renter each month will get their entire booking FREE. With no extra fees and Vroom Vroom Vroom picking up the tab on carbon offset credits for all rentals, Vroom Vroom Vroom takes customer service and social responsibility as seriously as it takes its unconventional name.

An Australian-born brand with success in several countries including Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and Canada, Vroom Vroom Vroom has established its U.S. headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. The U.S. platform has been three years in the making, but Vroom Vroom Vroom didn’t spend that time buried ‘down under’—they were developing technology and building relationships to offer real-time pricing and direct connections to key car rental providers, giving American consumers a new choice for renting with ease. Read more

Fairmont Hotels and Lexus have joined forces to unveil two “Lexus Hybrid Living Suites,” the Fairmont San Francisco and Fairmont Washington D.C. The suites have found a way to marry the concept of the “Green Movement” with luxury and offer guests a fully sustainable and organic experience. Every room includes eco-friendly bath amenities, mini-bats with local wines, organic farmstead cheeses and much more.

Visitors are offered complimentary use of a 2008 Lexus Hybrid luxury sedan while staying in their luxury suite comprised of organic and rapidly renewable resources. Eco-friendly comes at no cost to chic style with interior designs by famed eco-designer Kelly LaPlante, whose designs are based on organic fabrics, mattresses, paint, recycled leather from Lexus vehicles, pillows, towels and robes. Guests also receive a Green Guide and audio podcast that recommends environmentally friendly activities that can also be found on the Lexus Hybrid Living website. And now through December 30, 2008 the Eco is the new Chic package includes accommodations in the Lexus Hybrid Living Suite, access to the Lexus Hybrid sedan, complimentary parking and a bottle of organic wine and is available for $869 plus tax per night. Read more