NATIONAL REPORT—The hotel industry accounts for some of the highest waste deposits in the world. This should not be news to you given the various people and facilities the hotels serve. For some time, it was not an issue. However, the world has currently become more environmentally aware looking for ways to mitigate the effects of waste on the environment.
The hotel industry needs an effective waste management system to help reduce waste, reuse useful materials, and recycle some of the waste materials. Waste management makes business sense to the hotels as it ensures getting the most out of resources. You also save money on raw materials and can still generate money when you sell additional supplies as you reuse others.
Here are some of the ways to create effective waste management systems for hotels:
- Evaluate Your Recycling Needs
One of the most common waste management mistakes among hotels is to assume all the wastes are useless. You end up disposing of everything, even some items that are still usable. All you need to make this right is to audit your waste.
You will never know how efficiently you use your resources if you do not audit the hotel waste. Examining the amount and type of wastes you produce gives you the perfect idea of how your hotel operates. You also need to observe the source of the wastes. The wastes can be coming from the guests’ rooms, food and beverage spaces, conference and events spaces, or the common areas.
With information on the waste, you can develop the best waste management system and a baseline for future practices.
- Data Analysis
The other area where the hotel industry goes wrong is not giving much thought to the disposal of the wastes it generates. Most of the time the hotels send the various wastes it generates to the landfills without treating them properly. This is hazardous to the environment.
The best way to handle waste is to test for various compositions. Perform a waste audit through data analysis. With the help from companies like Alliance Geo, who specialize in waste management and geotechnical testing, you can determine the various waste your hotel produces. You can then create an effective waste management system depending on the types of wastes. For example, you can use a composter to reduce the organic waste from the hotel.
- Use Customized Recycling Services
Not any two hotels are the same in terms of their services and general outlook. Make use of this uniqueness to create a recycling service that matches your profile.
For example, if you are a hotel that provides specific amenities, you can always find recycling companies willing to accept empty bottles of shampoo, body wash, mouthwash, and other containers. The company already has various use options for the containers you give them hence no waste.
Some recycling companies also specialize in low-volume hotel needs. These are ideal if your hotel specializes in offering special experiences for guests.
- Make Small Changes
A new waste management system will require you to implement some changes in your operations. However, refrain from the urge to make all these changes at once. It might put too much pressure on the staff to set you up for failure.
Introduce changes in bits to help you observe the results. Only introduce the next step once assured the earlier change is fully integrated. The best strategy would mean starting with auditing, then data analysis followed by customizing the recycling services. Once these have become part of your waste management system, you can introduce other programs like zero landfill.
- Involve Other Entities in Your Waste Management Program
Developing a waste management program is not a one-person show. It is a whole organization strategy that everyone around can contribute to.
Encourage the staff to participate in the waste management system. Let them help identify the various wastes and implement your new ideas. You can also find other waste management ideas from the staff.
Your guests are also willing to be part of your program. Most of the guests like it when hotels take environmental care seriously.
Bottom Line
Creating an effective waste management system is a priority for the hotel industry. Instead of letting the resources go to waste, have a system that lets you manage everything. You not only save on costs but also save the environment.
