Many of us would assume that if a cleaning chemical has already been labeled green by a leading certification organization it must be pretty safe, assuming it is used correctly as instructed. This is true, at least in comparison to many conventional cleaning products used for the same or similar purposes. However, these days I think we need to take this a step further. We need to know more specifically what is in the cleaning chemicals we are using, green or not. This “ingredient disclosure” appears to be one of the next big developments in the professional cleaning industry. There are...

In a previous column (click here for it) I gave you five reasons why having a sustainable procurement policy is an essential element of implementing smart, sustainable business practices. To recap, they are: to be proactive in complying with the coming APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Event Standards; preserving or enhancing your reputation; cost savings; stakeholder pressure; and risk avoidance. So, now that you understand the importance of having a sustainable procurement policy, where do you start? This article is designed to provide you with a methodology to develop a sustainable procurement policy for your own organization. Contrary to what you might think,...

Hotel managers and housekeepers hear quite a bit about green certification, the system that allows end customers to identify green cleaning products. In fact, customers often ask their distributors if the products they recommend are “green certified” or, as some call it, “proven green.” Many cleaning product buyers are also aware that there are now several green certification organizations, including GreenSeal and EcoLogo, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment Program (DfE), which has grown in prominence lately. However, the process a product must undergo to become green certified is probably less well known among...

When you hear about the APEX Standards do you think, “Are you kidding me, I’m focused on our next conference; I don’t have time or interest in developing and implementing a sustainable procurement policy! Give me one good reason why I should read any further?” I’ll do better than that—I’ll give you five good reasons. Reason 1: A sustainable procurement policy is likely to be a requirement as part of the APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Event Standards for both planners and suppliers. Still don’t care? There’re four more, but first let’s agree about what a Sustainable Procurement Policy is. One of...

It’s easy to see why “green cleaning” is a hot industry topic. We all want a clean and healthy space to live, work and play—and we need to achieve that in a sustainable way so we can enjoy that space for the long term. More emphasis has been placed on sustainability within the lodging industry during the last decade. In fact, the 2010 “Business Cleaning Sustainability Study,” conducted by Procter & Gamble Professional, revealed that nine out of 10 survey respondents believe sustainability and environmental responsibility is important for their business. Furthermore, of all the industries surveyed, these practices resonated...

As lodging facility owners know, well-designed and maintained outdoor spaces are important amenities that help create favorable guest experiences. Exterior areas for relaxation, play and fresh air can provide guests with some of their best memories of your property. Within these spaces, decked areas often figure prominently. While many decks, patios, boardwalks, pool and hot tub surrounds and docks traditionally used wood surfacing, wood-plastic composite decking is an increasingly attractive alternative. Such materials provide durability and safety features that are suited for the high-use environments of many lodging facilities, and offer great looks and support of green building goals. When selecting...

The spring career fair and recruitment season has arrived, to be followed by the handing out of many hospitality and tourism degrees in the coming months (myself included, eager to receive my M.S. in Tourism Management degree from New York University). And of course as soon-to-graduate hospitality students you are hoping for spring’s bloom to come with a job offer. The first challenge is navigating those networking events and tough interviews. Then comes fitting into the organization and its culture. One promising aspect of new graduates entering the workforce is the increased interest and passion for sustainability. Or at least...

When it comes to many of the more general cleaning tasks that hotel housekeepers perform every day, transferring to a green cleaning system may be as easy as simply selecting environmentally preferable cleaning products. While housekeepers may also need to be trained on how to use the green products, for the most part using many green cleaning chemicals is not that much different from using conventional products…it’s just that the green ones are healthier. However, that is not necessarily true when it comes to floor care. Although great strides have been made in developing green floor care chemicals such as...

The United States and much of the world, for that matter, have had so many pressing issues to deal with that one—possibly the most important one—keeps getting pushed under the carpet, so to speak. That is water. It’s a green issue, a life issue, a business issue—an issue that will impact hotels and hospitality facilities throughout the world and one we are all going to have to deal with eventually. Consider the following: • According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a U.S. think tank, water is a growing concern that is set to become the world economy’s single most...

During the past several years, we have all witnessed the incredible growth of green building projects. At times, it seems that that the number of buildings establishing green initiatives is expanding almost exponentially. Building owners and developers are seeing that introducing green practices not only results in a positive environmental impact but also cost savings and marketing advantages. Certainly the hospitality industry—looking to attract the growing legion of guests and green meeting planners that care deeply about energy reduction, a healthy indoor environment and sustainability principles in general—has joined the surge to achieve the greenest possible profile. The purpose of this...