What the green hotel is ?
Our earth is at a precarious stage wherein its
environment and ecology is highly threatened. Great care and precautions are
being taken all around in every sphere of activity so as to do minimal damage
to the environment. We are always trying to buy products that are environment
friendly, constructing dams or roads after ensuring it does not in any way
disturb the ecological balance. Environmentalists all over the world are always
on their toes to protest against any action that might pose any threat to the
environment. Despite our utmost efforts in spreading this awareness, there are
still a lot of areas for us to explore. One such area is the hospitality
industry. Hotels are generally a symbol of luxury. And whenever there is luxury,
there is a lot of waste. As money comes freely, sadly so does waste. At this
point, you ought to make people conscious of their environment and nudge them
to act for its benefits. You should make the hospitality industry conscious in
what they can do to make their hotel a ‘green hotel’ keeping in mind the symbol
of luxury and prestige.
So let us a look at the possible ways to switch to
environment friendly (green) hotels.
1. The hotels should reuse the bed sheets and
towels in their rooms. All products of linen should be reusable in some way.
2. The showers and the toilets should be having
a lower flow of water. A lot of water is wasted in showers and toilets,
sometimes unnecessarily.
3. LED lamps should be used in hallways, guest
rooms and also in the lobbies. There should be timers and sensors to
automatically switch off the lights where people do not frequently visit. A
huge amount of electricity can be saved per year by implementing this sensor
mechanism.
4. The staff working in the hotel should be
trained and educated to turn off any items which are not used by anyone at that
time, like air conditioners, fans and lights. They should also know why it is
important doing so. Then only they can learn the value of these secondary works
(of primary importance!).
5. During summer months, the drapes should be
closed. There should be films in the window so as to minimize the load on air
conditioners or heaters.
6. A separate basket should be kept in
guestrooms where the guests can dispose of any recyclable materials like
papers, plastic, glass, etc. There should also be such baskets for recycling in
the reception, kitchen and wherever possible.
7. Recycled products should also be bought
whenever possible, like while buying any paper products or minor art
installations. Nowadays, art installations made up of recycled items is a rage!
The size of the invoices or receipts for the guests should be minimized so as
to save the paper. Care should be taken to buy papers which are not bleached.
Or if it is bleached, it should be chlorine free.
8. All chemicals in the hotels should be stored
in an area which is ventilated properly. Paints, cleaners and sanitizers must
be non toxic in nature as all of these eventually may seep to earth in a long
run.
9. Appliance should be bought keeping in mind
its ‘energy star’ ratings. Higher rating ensures lower electricity consumption.
10. Solar panels should be installed for water
heating systems and also for any kind of electricity required by the street
lamps within the hotels. If the hotel has pool, it should also be heated by
solar energy.
11. There should be bicycles in the hotels which
the guests might use for free or for minimal charge. The guests should be
encouraged to use them and also the public transportation.
12. After parties or any events, the leftover
food should be wisely dispensed with. Either it can be made to compost or far
better if it can be donated to some non profitable organization.
13. The restaurants in the hotels should try to
make the food from organic products and fresh produce.
14. Water and energy use should be monitored and
recorded. Whenever there is a change in the rate of consumption, the faulty
equipment should be replaced.
15. The hotels should start a charitable wing
wherein they donate any old furniture, leftover guest items, and shampoo and
soap products.
16. If there is a replacement of some important
mechanical equipment, specialists should be consulted so as to see what best
fit is in that case. It might reduce both the costs of operation and initial
investment.
Following these minimum guidelines, hotels can do a lot
in doing their part in improving the earth’s environment and preserving its
ecological balance.
Hotels taking into consideration the environmental
aspects with reference to areas related to services provided to the guests, management
of the hotel and eating facilities provided are known as Green Hotels.
Essentials of a Green Hotel:
The following areas are to be looked on when considering
a green hotel:
- Energy Management with regard to efficiency of the
building and measures taken for conservation.
- Preparation of food: A green hotel provides the guests
with options of vegetarian and organic food.
Other than the above mentioned areas, another area is
Waste Management which should include 3R?s namely: Reduction, Reuse and
Recycling.
Managing the Green Hotel:
Saving planet Earth and making it a better place to live
is what the hospitality industry focuses on today. This is being done by using
and implementing new technologies in such a way so that the creations of today
regenerate themselves.
Great ideas are required so that inspiring theories can
be implemented in hotels and other places without harming nature/ natural
beauty.
Some ideas which can make the place better are:
- Use of water- based paints
- Nailed down carpeting, etc.
Building a hotel and operating and management of a green
hotel are two different things. Skills are required for proper management of a
green hotel. Various factors to be considered while managing a green hotel are:
- Basic amenities in all areas,
- Products used for cleaning in the hotel,
- Preparation of food for the restaurant,
- How to use the left over food,
- Maintaining the hotel without chemicals,
- Recycling is also a consideration, especially with
water. Various techniques like Grey water recycling can be implemented,
- How to use other sources of energy in place of
electricity, like: using the energy of sun for heating etc.
- Training the staff so that they are enthusiastic and
have knowledge when speaking to the guests.
Why to Go Green?
To make the hotel ?A Green Home away from home? for the
guests, it is necessary to Go Green!
Going Green goes directly to the bottom line that will
help your property to have a long-term value.
Going Green will also help you to cater the attention of
guests and make them visit your hotel again and again.
Going Green helps you to keep a long-term relationship
with your staff since you care about their health and well-being.
Benefits of Going Green:
- Reduction in energy bills: when energy saving measures
like use of fluorescent bulbs, sensors for rest rooms and meeting areas, there
is a reduction in energy bills.
- Reduction in water bills: Introduction of water saving
equipments like low-flow shower heads etc. help to reduce water bills.
- Healthier guests, staff and management: Going Green
guarantees that there is a healthy environment in the hotel.
Thus, for sustaining longer in the hospitality industry
it is necessary to implement the concept of Green Hotels and also Green Hotel
Management. Exemplifying the highest standards of environmental and social
responsibility in all areas of operation and employing policies and programs
that set international standards for sustainability is what Green Hotel
Management is all about.
AGUNG MULYADI
2011145042
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