The hospitality industry has made major strides in adopting green cleaning and developing new ways to operate in a more eco-friendly manner. In fact, in many parts of the world, the hotel industry is actually spearheading the drive for facilities to adopt more environmentally friendly operating procedures. But as the hotel and other industries transfer from conventional to green cleaning, it is becoming increasingly important for decision makers to add a new component to the green cleaning equation: sustainability.
For instance, the use of green paper products is an area that deserves more attention as a viable solution to conservation efforts around the world. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), deforestation is the single greatest cause of global warming in the world today. Further, toilet tissue is responsible for more than 15 percent of all deforestation.
In fact, the NRDC estimates that on a worldwide basis, deforestation causes more global warming than the combined emissions of all vehicles, airplanes and ships. The Council adds that in the process of making trees into paper, huge volumes of water are required, presenting a significant challenge in areas of the world that are already experiencing water shortfalls. Moreover, most conventional toilet tissue and many other paper products employ chlorine-based bleach as a means of whitening. However, chlorinated wastewater discharge can pollute local water systems, especially in developing countries.
For these reasons and many others, green paper products should be considered a primary means to help deliver the goal of being more sustainable throughout a facility. And since the worldwide hotel industry depends on quality paper products, it is in a prime position to promote and market sustainability in this area. Hotels can also leverage their pioneer status and serve as role models for other industries and market segments looking to make inroads or transfer to green paper supplies.
What Are Green Paper Products?
When it comes time for hotel housekeepers and administrators to select green paper goods, most of their “homework” has been done. Today, if a product meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines or has been certified by Green Seal or another leading, respected certification body, customers can rest assured that it conforms to environmentally responsible standards.
The EPA’s guidelines require that toilet paper be made from a minimum of 20 percent post-consumer recycled content; for hand towels, the minimum is 40 percent. Green Seal’s GS-01 and GS-09 standards include the EPA’s guidelines and extend the requirement for certification to include that paper towels and toilet paper must be made from 100 percent recovered materials. “Recovered material” means fiber waste generated after the completion of a manufacturing process, such as post-consumer materials, envelope cuttings, bindery trimmings, printing waste and cuttings, and other converting waste.
As mentioned earlier, the use of bleach to whiten traditional paper products in the manufacturing process can be a detriment to the environment and surrounding water supplies. Green paper minimizes or eliminates the use of bleach. ECF, or elemental chlorine-free paper uses a reduced amount of chlorine, and PCF, or process chlorine-free paper uses no bleach whatsoever. PCF is the best environmental choice.
Other Green Paper Considerations
Although selecting green-certified or EPA-compliant paper products is a key way to help reduce paper’s impact on the environment and enhance sustainability efforts, there are other considerations as well. For instance, hotels can select higher quality toilet paper and paper towels, which are typically more absorbent compared to lower grade options, which can result in less paper waste.
Further, some of these products, instead of being brown or off white as some original environmentally friendly papers were, are now described as “brilliantly white” with embossing or floral patterns that add a touch of luxury to bathrooms. Yet, they are made from 100 percent recycled wastepaper that more than exceeds EPA guidelines for post-consumer waste.
Cost is another important factor to address in regard to green paper. Similar to many environmentally preferable products introduced in the past few years, some green paper products used to be more costly than their conventional counterparts. In addition, early green paper was not always met with complete customer and guest satisfaction in the areas of price and performance. However, costs have come down, and end users report significant improvements in both areas over the years.
At the very least, the green movement has helped to grow awareness, encourage manufacturers to rethink their processes and offerings, and provide customers with proven alternatives that are safer for our planet. When it comes to green paper products, technology and certification have helped lower price points while increasing performance levels. Today, hotel guests notice and appreciate green efforts, and the result is higher customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Diane Mahana is marketing manager for Pro-Link, Inc., a jansan buying and marketing group for the professional cleaning industry. Along with schools, offices, and other facilities, the company and its member-distributors work with hotels throughout North America, helping them with their janitorial and green cleaning needs.
