Waste Control in Hotels

Hotels can become more green by starting a recycling program for certain waste products.

Waste control in hotels can be difficult because of the amount of waste that hotels produce daily. Managing this waste, and lowering the overall amount, is a concern because of environmental and financial reasons. Because it is environmentally unfriendly to place waste in landfills, greener hotel practices are becoming the norm.

Waste Management

Hotels often hire waste management companies to address the large amount of waste produced daily. These companies help to ensure that waste is controlled in a way that is sanitary for guests of the hotel. Employees help to control waste by placing it in the proper places once it has been collected. Hotel management often has to develop strategies for dealing with waste because it is such a large issue in the hospitality industry.

Recycling Programs

Many U.S. companies help reduce waste in hotels through recycling programs. Before starting a program, it is important for hotels to evaluate waste to determine products and materials that can be recycled. Developing a system for managing the recycling is the next step in helping to control excess waste, because storage containers are needed as well as a company to pick up the recycling on a regular basis. Hotel employees need to be aware of efforts to reduce waste and participate in the recycling program.

Other Solutions

Hotels can also control waste by purchasing products in a mindful way. This includes buying items in bulk or concentrated form to avoid excess packaging waste, and purchasing less toxic products. Hotels can select products that are made from recycled materials to help cut down on overall wastefulness, and try to reuse or repair products previously purchased to avoid causing additional waste.

References

• North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: Managing Waste in Hotel and Hotel Operations
• Environmental Protection Agency: Materials Management for the Hospitality Sector Webinar
• The Official State of Conneticut Website: A Guide to Waste Prevention and Recycling for Massachusetts Hoteliers