Crunchy is the only word I can think of to describe the feel of the grass when I was in Tennessee over Labor Day weekend. Crunchy, yellow and brown. I had no idea how bad things had gotten in parts of the southeastern United States until viewing news reports in the past few weeks. The situation is extreme. Lake Lanier, the Atlanta area’s main source of water for 3 million people, could be empty in three to four months if it does not rain a lot soon.
In addition to Tennessee and most of Georgia, parts of North and South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia have also been hit hard in recent months. Throughout Georgia, there is a watering ban and in North Carolina the governor has asked residents to stop using water for any purpose “not essential to public health and safety.” The mayor of Siler City, N.C. declared a water shortage emergency and ordered each household, business and industry to reduce water use by 50 percent. In some areas, residents have begun to rat on their neighbors for watering their lawns. Yes, things are getting that dicey.
How is the drought impacting hotels throughout the Southeast? In addition to severely limiting plant and lawn irrigation, fountains are being turned off, swimming pools are going unfilled, water is not automatically being served at restaurants, and efforts are being made to reduce consumption in guestrooms, kitchens, public restrooms and laundry areas. Chris Anderson, director of sales and marketing at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, says his hotel is down to “bare bones minimum” water consumption. Fortunately, a water recycling/treatment plant at that hotel saves it from buying about 5 million gallons of water a year.
The Impact of a Towel & Linen Reuse Program
Those hotels in the Southeast that currently do not give their guests the option of having their towels and linens washed should launch such a program as soon as possible. Thomas DeSousa, general manager at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta—Buckhead, says that is the No. 1 way his hotel is reducing water consumption. Amazingly, many hotels, even in the Atlanta area, still do not offer this option. According to Karmen Pharris, marketing and sales director for Alpharetta, Ga.-based Project Planet, they are missing out on a significant water-saving opportunity.
Project Planet, Upland, Calif.-based Green Suites International, and Pineapple Hospitality, Saint Charles, Mo., all offer towel and linen reuse programs for hotels. DeSousa says about 60 percent of his hotel’s guests participate. “It allows us to close our laundry facility two days a week,” he says. “It also saves on energy, chemicals, and prolongs the life of the towels and linens.” Pharris says the Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta—Buckhead is saving tens of thousands of dollars a year and not using about 240,000 gallons of water annually—all thanks to the towel and linen reuse program.
Of all of the resource-saving options available to the lodging industry, a towel and linen reuse program has got to be the most affordable. The return on investment can be as little as just one week. Pharris says many hotels have not implemented this type of program yet because they do not want to inconvenience their guests. “They are afraid that guests will not look favorably on it,” she says. Something tells me 99 percent of guests will understand a drought situation and gladly participate—and feel good about doing so.
In addition to towel and linen reuse programs, there are many other ways to save water. The Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta—Buckhead’s Sousa says, for example, that by simply turning up the heater core temperature on the dishwasher at his hotel, less water is needed to get everything cleaned and rinsed. Staff at the hotel also make sure that only full loads are sent through the dishwasher. (Please visit the Water Conservation Tips area of Green Lodging News and Water Conservation department for additional ideas, including information on dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and more.)
Unlike tornados, hurricanes and other rather rapidly forming natural threats, droughts sneak up on us. The lodging industry is extremely vulnerable to water shortages, the resulting spikes in water costs, and should do everything it can to conserve and prepare for crises—even if it “inconveniences” its guests just a little bit.
New Green Product Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Church Chair Industries, Inc. as a Green Product Directory sponsor. Church Chair is currently offering Green Foam, a new foam product made from renewable resources. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to standard foam in chair cushions. Environmental benefits include organic, halogen-free fire retardants. Church Chair offers more than 50 chair styles, as well as a free sample chair program. Call (800) 331-5411, e-mail sales1@churchchair.com, or go to www.churchchair.com.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
