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More and more, hotels are discovering that environmental conservation has a positive impact on their bottom line. Saving energy, water and waste makes sense for the environment and your business. Here’s are some ideas:
- Get buy-in at all levels. Instate an environmental policy, and communicate it to all hotel employees, from upper management down.
- Start a linen reuse program; place cards in guestrooms telling guests how to indicate whether or not they want sheets and towels washed each day and ensure housekeeping staff are trained to recognise these instructions.
- Install water saving devices for showerheads, toilets and faucets in guest bathrooms.
- Use non-toxic cleaning agents (MSDS Health Hazard Rating of 1 or less) throughout the property.
- Establish a procurement policy to purchase more environmentally friendly products including paper and plastics.
- Start or expand your on-site recycling program to capture paper, metals, glass, and plastics, and separate and compost organic waste. Contract with a private recycling company or see if the city government will collect your recyclables.
- Install bulk dispensers for soaps, shampoos and creams in guest bathrooms or ensure unused individual toilettries are donated to a local shelter or charity.
- Initiate an energy management program to reduce consumption of electricity. This can include switching from incandescent to fluorescent lighting; using low-wattage bulbs in some areas; installing motion detection devices for room lighting; or installing key-activation for electricity in guestrooms.
- Use reusable linens, dishes and cutlery in catering and food service areas of your facility.
- Install an air filtration system for cleaner in-house air.
- Install a Building Automation System for temperature control.
- Tell your guests about your greening programs; include a fact sheet in the room directory.
- Keep track of your progress - both environmental and cost savings, and use the information to promote your success.
- For more ideas, see the Food & Beverage and Meeting/Event Venues page.
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Boston Park Plaza’s greening efforts involved a major revision in the facility’s operating practices in order to reduce water and energy waste, eliminate toxins and chemical cleaners and use more recyclables. The installation of thermopane windows reduced heating costs by $84,000 per year, and a recycling system cut laundry wastewater in half. The hotel also offers the ‘Boston Naturally’ Package, a guest service that includes a canvas knapsack left on guest beds with walking maps of the city and public transit passes. (Source: "Hotels Go Green" by L.C. Nojechowicz, Natural Life - www.life.ca, March 1997) |
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