Sustainability is Good for Business
HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT
Introduction
– Our customers are looking for accommodation that is
working to improve its sustainability and reduce negative
environmental impact
– The hotel is making efforts to reduce its water and energy
consumption and to minimise the production of waste
– All departments are able to contribute to this effort
Housekeeping – Energy Reduction
– Turn off unnecessary equipment in guest
rooms i.e.
– lights
– TVs (do not leave them on standby)
– air conditioning / heaters
– if these must be left on then adjust to a
suitable temperature
•
26OC when cooling,
•
18OC when heating
• Check for poorly fitting doors, windows,
draughts etc. and report to maintenance
Housekeeping – Water Reduction
– Don’t leave taps running while cleaning
– Check for malfunctioning toilets,
excessive water flow, leaking plugs
– Report any issue to maintenance
immediately for prompt repairs
– If there is a towel / linen reuse
programme in place then ensure it is
followed
– Consider implementing top to bottom
method of linen change if appropriate
Housekeeping – Waste Minimisation
– Use bins that do not require a plastic bag
liner
– If a plastic liner is used, only replace
when soiled or damaged
– Collect any recyclables from guest rooms
separately to general waste
– Use refillable amenity dispensers
– If small disposable ones are currently
in place, only replace partially used
bottles on checkout
Case Study - Caribbean
– Pirate’s Inn, Barbados
– Action
– The hotel has implemented a policy
where all lights and air conditioning is
turned off in unoccupied rooms
– Guests pay an additional $10 per day
for air con usage and are advised of
the policy on arrival
– Impacts
– The hotel reduced energy consumption by 5.4% in 2010 compared to
previous consumption levels saving over 5,000 kWh annually and reducing
CO2 emissions by 4 tonnes
Action Planning
– Discuss what options there are for reducing
energy, water and waste in your operations
– create a list of potential actions
– who needs to be involved to ensure that
these actions can take place?
– how quickly do you anticipate these
actions being put into place?
– will any further training be required?
MAKING
A WORLD
OF DIFFERENCE…