Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT SECOND EDITION ︳ MATT A. CASADO

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CHAPTER Main Concepts 12 Environmental Management and Sustainability Environmental Concerns Recycling in Lodging Properties Hazardous Waste Disposal Indoor Air Quality Green Lodging Facilities Green Lodging Certification Sustainability and the Lodging Industry

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS The planet’s ozone layer is deteriorating because of the use of some chemical compounds such as chloroflourocarbons. Carbon dioxide and methane gases are causing a greenhouse effect, elevating the temperature on the earth’s surface dramatically changing the climate.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS (CONT.) Waste disposal is another environmental problem. Traces of discarded prescription drugs, corrosive materials, drain cleaners, and strong chemicals can pollute the drinking water supply. Toxic particles from public incinerators are contaminating the atmosphere. Indoor air pollution can be caused by strong chemical cleaning compounds.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS (CONT.) Hospitality managers should develop skills and strategies to convert operational procedures into environmentally friendly ones. The housekeeping and engineering departments can implement programs to recycle materials, dispose of hazardous waste, and minimize in-door air pollution.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. RECYCLING Some experts suggest that recycling can reduce the amount of solid waste to landfills by 70 percent. Source-reduced products prevent waste from occurring before it starts. Lodging properties should put in place recycling programs and emphasize purchasing products that minimize waste.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL Products labeled toxic or dangerous should be disposed of safely. If placed out with regular trash, they contaminate the atmosphere if disposed of in incinerators. Particularly polluting when burning are synthetic foams and some solvents and cleaning agents whose atoms destroy the ozone layer. Some basic cleaning jobs can be performed with green cleaners such as vinegar, vegetable oil- based soaps, borax, and baking soda.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. INDOOR AIR QUALITY Indoor air pollution can have negative health effects on guests and employees. Lodging properties, if polluted, can cause workers and guests to suffer headaches, dizziness, allergies, and other problems associated with poor air quality. Some of the chemicals commonly used in housekeeping and engineering may be air pollutants. The most effective way to improve air quality is not using toxic chemicals in buildings and by increasing ventilation and cleaning.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. INDOOR AIR QUALITY (CONT.) Faulty vacuum cleaners can spread more allergens that they remove. To prevent air contamination when vacuuming, high-retention vacuum cleaners should be used.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. GREEN LODGING FACILITIES Environmentally helpful improvements in lodging establishments may lead to economic benefits and competitive opportunities. By implementing programs aimed at minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption, lodging properties lower operating costs and help the environment. By advertising to guests the actions taken, lodging properties can gain customer loyalty and enhance their public image.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. GREEN LODGING FACILITIES (CONT.) Some companies have introduced the concept of environmentally friendly rooms, green rooms, that appeal to “green-travelers” or environment- conscious guests. The extra fee charged to guests is gladly paid by travelers sensitive to indoor-air quality and by those in favor of the preservation of the environment. A survey has shown that about 34% of travelers seek hotels that are environmentally friendly.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. GREEN LODGING FACILITIES (CONT.) Marriott International has been at the forefront of implementing recycling and energy-savings programs. Marriott’s strategy is to reduce its carbon footprint by 25 percent by Lodging properties can save around $5 per occupied room per day when they give their guests the choice of re-using towels in guestrooms.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. GREEN LODGING CERTIFICATION Lodging properties that adopt a significant program aimed at protecting the environment can obtain certification from organizations which will endorse their properties’ efforts towards the preservation of the planet’s ecosystem. – A Green Seal certification means the establishment has gone through a stringent process to show that it has reduced its impact on the environment and human health.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. GREEN LODGING CERTIFICATION (CONT.) – Green Lodging Programs have been developed by states to provide travelers a green option for their lodging needs. For example, California state employees are encouraged to explore green lodging options when on state business. – Energy Star is a program that helps lower energy costs and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. – A LEED certification provides third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance standards.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. GREEN LODGING CERTIFICATION (CONT.) Green Globe provides services and certification after verification by independent auditors who assess the sustainability performance of travel and tourism businesses and their supply chain partners. The green globe standards are a collection of 337 compliance indicators applied to 41 sustainability criteria.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SUSTAINABILITY Environmental sustainability can be described as a variety of earth-friendly practices and policies designed to meet the needs of the present population without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability has become the test for long- term maintenance of well-being in terms of environmental survival.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SUSTAINABILITY (CONT.) Most initiatives have focused on stewardships of place dedicated to minimizing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by reaching carbon neutrality. Other initiatives are centered on greening businesses with the dual purpose of helping the earth’s ecosystems and growing their environmentally conscious customer base.

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SUSTAINABILITY (CONT.) The underlying driver of direct human impact on the environment is human consumption. The challenge of sustainability is to curb and manage consumption in the Western world while raising the standards of living of developing countries without increasing its resources use and environmental impact. You, as future hospitality administrators can contribute greatly to this.