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November 17, 2005
Waste Reduction
Recycling in the hospitality industry is important in general, but more so because it's an inherently wasteful industry. Recycling containers placed around the property will encourage guests and staff alike to help reduce the waste stream going to landfills. That effort will lower operating costs and benefit the environment too. Recycle what you can and be surprised by how little you put in the garbage.
A writer for the "Las Vegas Advisor" contacted me about hotels that operate with the chemically sensitive guest in mind. A chemically sensitive guest is one who suffers from contact with a wide range of chemicals including laundry detergents and fabric softeners, cleaning supplies, perfumed products, off gassing of petrochemical products found in paints, carpets, and various finishes, as well as dust, mold and mildew.
As we chatted about the environment and the hospitality industry's role in impacting it (or not impacting it) the writer gave me a few leads on work others have done on recycling in Las Vegas. We didn't find as many leads for her story as we wanted, but we both did get value from the sharing.
Darlene M Cartier did her thesis in 1997 on recycling in the Las Vegas hospitality industry. She titled it "Recycling at Work: Waste Reduction and Recycling in the Las Vegas Hospitality Industry". Check it out for yourself.
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has posted an addition to article that expands the information. You can see what Las Vegas is facing.
Las Vegas and Nevada aren't the only locations where trash is created. It happens in your backyard too, where ever your backyard is. Look at these studies, figure out how you can benefit from the knowledge shared in them, and take action.
It's a well documented fact that the hospitality industry generates mountains of trash. Some of that trash is valuables of the hotel and restaurant it came from, some is recyclable and compostable goods, and a bit is even trash. Save money in several ways, divide your waste stream; return to inventory that which you can, recycle and compost those items that can go that path, and then what's left -- send out with your trash hauler.
Posted by Kit Cassingham
