Pollution Prevention Tips forthe Hospitality Industryof Southern Arizona

Suggestions foryour propertyto enhance theenvironmentand yourbottom line.

Printed on recycled paper

GreenMany property managers

may see this booklet and say tothemselves “Why should myfacility become environmen-tally aware?" The simple an-swer to that question is themany business benefits that en-vironmental management canbring.

Reduced Consumptionand ThereforeReduced Costs

Many environmental mea-sures are aimed at reduced con-sumption (energy, water, officematerials, etc.), which will alsoserve to reduce your businesscosts.

A recent survey of hotels suggests that energysavings can be upwards of 10% for establishinggood-housekeeping measures and about 15% forinstituting low-cost measures.

Customer Loyalty andEnhanced Public Image

Hotel guests are increas-ingly taking an interest in theenvironment. If you can showyou care for the environmentas well as their comfort, youwill gain their respect and cus-tomer loyalty. They will alsospread the word about yourhotel.

A hotel developedand marketed as "eco-friendly" saw businessincrease by 30% whileits competitors’ busi-ness decreased in therecession.

Attracting andRetainingDedicated Staff

If your staff seesthat you care aboutthe environment with-out threatening thesuccess of your busi-ness, they will feelthey are employed bya more caring, yetfully commercial orga-nization. This will in-crease motivation,loyalty and staff effec-tiveness all leading toreduced staff turnover.

By working withothers in the industryand demonstratinggood practice, you willhelp secure the protec-tion of the local envi-ronment on which thelong term future ofyour business is built.

It is also importantto note that much ofPima County’s econ-omy depends on tour-ism. It is not surpris-ing that many peopleenjoy visiting Tucsonand the surroundingcities.

Therefore it is cru-cial that we all chip inand do our part tomake Southern Ari-zona a beautiful andhealthy place to visit.

A hotel collected all its cardboard and sold it forrecycling. The money was split: 50% to a local charityand 50% to the staff social fund.

The Importance ofPollution Prevention

The ultimate goal is tominimize the amount of non-hazardous and hazardous wasteyour facility produces by usingsound pollution preventionmethods. If you can dramati-cally reduce the generation ofpollution, you can significantlyreduce your regulatory andcompliance burden. Althoughcomplete elimination of wastemay not be possible, our goalis to help you arrive as closelyas possible to this ideal situa-tion. Records from thousandsof facilities in the UnitedStates have proven that if youreduce pollution and the gen-eration of waste, you will alsorealize large savings.

Get Employees Involved

From the outset you willneed a person to take responsi-bility for coordinating andimplementing the program.This person should have goodoperational knowledge of thehotel, the respect of otherstaff, a commitment to theproject, the owner/manager’sfull support, and, most impor-tantly, a positive attitudeabout becoming the GreenLeader. This leader will bethe person who keeps yourprogram on line, ensures goodbusiness results are beingachieved, and with whom ev-eryone enjoys participating.

Your “Green Leader”enhances the environ-ment and your bottomline.

Motivate the Staff

It is crucial that the staff beas enthusiastic as possibleabout becoming environmen-tally sound in order for the‘green goal’ to be realized. Be-gin motivating your staff byhaving a staff meeting to in-form your employees of yourobjectives, and get their ideasand support. Put up a copy of

your own environ-mental policy state-ment, if you have one,on the staff bulletinboard.

You may also wish,(perhaps later whenyou have taken someaction) to put up aframed copy of thisdocument in the hotellobby where guestscan see it. This can alsohelp gain the respectand support of staff,who recognize howserious the initiative is.

Show leadership -at every opportunityshow them how totake environmentalaction - switch offlights, save water,write your notes tothem on scrap wastepaper.

Involve the StaffThis not only helps

gain their commit-ment to the initiative,but they often havetheir own ideas aboutactions that can betaken, too. Employeesare more likely to sup-port a program thatthey understand andhave helped design.

The Green Leadercan do this by enlist-ing support in gather-ing information andideas on actions fromcolleagues who havespecific responsibilityfor functions such as

Get involved in local and national initiatives, at-tend events, subscribe to helpful magazines and dis-cuss the issues with colleagues in the industry.

front desk, housekeep-ing, food and bever-age, sales and market-ing and administra-tion.

To reward employ-ees who exhibit activeinvolvement andleadership, develop asystem of on-the-spot,weekly and monthlyincentives for their ef-forts.

Participate inExternal Activities

Get involved in lo-cal and national initia-tives, attend events,subscribe to helpfulmagazines and discussthe issues with col-leagues in the indus-try. Promote “net-working” of goodideas through your lo-cal associations. Com-

municate successes orproblems you encoun-ter to the Environ-mental Programs Co-ordinator at the Cor-porate office. This willhelp you gain a deeperunderstanding of theissues and how othersare tackling them. Itwill help to enhanceyour reputation in theindustry as well.

B r i g h t Ideas toMakeYourHotel,Motel orResortGreenerThis section of the book-let outlines the sevenmain areas of environ-mental concern whereyou can take action.

It discusses the mainissues facing hotels/motels and providesguidance on reviewingcurrent practices, settinggoals and monitoringprogress.

This section was de-signed to make it as easyas possible for your facil-ity to develop environ-mental awareness intopractice.

Solid WasteSolid waste is a huge envi-

ronmental issue worldwide.Solid waste impacts the envi-ronment because it takes en-ergy and materials to producesupplies and it leads to pollu-tion problems when disposedin landfills, incinerators or sim-ply dumped illegally. Illegaldumps are a safety hazard tochildren, can be breedinggrounds for disease carrierssuch as flies and roaches, dis-rupt wildlife habitats as well asdestroy the beauty of ourdesert.

Everyone pays a high pricefor dumpers’ dirty deeds. Ifwaste is being dumped in yourarea, this may very well bedamaging to the image of yourcommunity, and ultimatelyharming your business.

Your facility’s goal is tominimize the materials used bythe hotel. This can simply bedone by performing threesimple tasks: Reducing, Reus-ing, Recycling.

Reduce the Amount ofMaterials Used

Is it a necessary item (espe-cially think about this if it isclassified as a hazardous mate-rial)? Can the order amountsbe reduced? Can more efficientuse of it be made? How can wereduce the amount of packag-ing for this item? For example,using miniature shampoo andconditioner bottles is much lessefficient, both environmen-tally and financially than us-ing refillable containers at-tached to the wall.

Reuse All or Some of It

If reuse is possible, for whatpurpose? If not, could the itemspecification be changed sothat it can be reused - for in-stance by switching to refillableamenities bottles in guestrooms, or to reusable shippingmaterials.

Recycle ItCan you join forces with

other hotels and businesses inyour area to pool recyclableproducts? Can the waste itemsbe sorted and stored on sitepending collection? If the prod-uct is non-recyclable, could youpurchase a recyclable variety?Are you making an effort topurchase recycled materialsover ‘virgin’ materials? Thereare several locations in PimaCounty that buy specific re-

cycled materials. This is an ex-cellent way to make extramoney, at the same time avoid-ing disposal fees. (See “Addi-tional Information” for loca-tions.) Remember that comply-ing with the legal requirementsof hazardous waste disposal isimportant. Call the PimaCounty Department of Envi-ronmental Quality BusinessAssistance Program for moreinformation.

It is important to note thatmoney savings will be seen ifthese steps are followed. Sav-ings can come from orderingless material, reducing disposalcosts and increasing revenuefrom sale of recyclable wastematerials. In addition, your fa-cility will benefit by the posi-tive public relations. If peoplelike and appreciate what youare doing, the word will bespread quickly, ultimately re-sulting in better business.

Helpful Hints for ReducingSolid Waste

l introduce a plan for sorting, storing and re-cycling of glass, aluminum, steel, paper,newspaper, cardboard, and plastic wasteswhere possible.

l Establish a guest recycling program with asmall recycling bin in every room or hall-way. To inform guests of how they can help,place a brochure in every guest room, ask-ing guests to deposit all recyclables (glass,plastic, paper etc.) in the bin. It will also beimportant to supply each housekeeping cartwith a large container for the guest’srecyclables.

l Reuse worn towels, sheets, etc. for cloths,laundry bags and aprons.

l Sell back partially used soaps to manufac-turer or give to charities for making candlesor to local shelters.

l Use refillable food containers (i.e. jams,ketchup), shampoo containers, soap con-tainers and cleaning containers.

l install a trash compactor to reduce volumeof waste.

l Compost or sell organic wastes. (This prac-tice can save money by replacing the harm-ful fertilizers with composted materials.)

l Collect and recycle used motor oil.

l Buy in bulk whenever possible.

l Avoid buying products with the word dis-posable in them.

l Use only cloth napkins, tablecloths,placemats and china for restaurants, meet-ings and conventions.

l Use electronic mail for correspondence, whenpossible.

l Always buy recycled products when avail-able. This is an important step in promot-ing recycling.

Studies have shown that mosthotels use energy inefficiently, andcan make real savings through bet-ter energy housekeeping practices.

EnergyHotels use substantial

amounts of energy for heatingand cooling, laundry and drycleaning, lighting and cooking,just to name a few. Energycomes primarily from fossil fu-els (coal, gas and oil), eitherburned on-site or by the elec-tric company providing yourpower. The burning of fossilfuels is the principal contribu-tor to global warming, acid rainand other air pollution prob-lems. By reducing energy use,your hotel can thereforeachieve real environmentalbenefits, while at the same time

making significant reductionsin operating costs.

Studies have shown thatmost hotels use energy ineffi-ciently, and can enjoy real sav-ings through better energyhousekeeping practices and byinvesting in low-cost energy ef-ficiency measures.

The core of an effective en-ergy management program ina hotel is energy awareness byemployees. This awarenessmust be initiated by supervisorsand top management. Aware-ness is so important becausethe efficiency with which en-

ergy-consuming equipment isused depends on the attitudeand training of people whouse it.

Use last year’s bills to setyour goals. Do not be overam-bitious - look to achieve nomore than, say, a 5% reductioneach year. Remember that sea-sonal fluctuation in outsidetemperatures and occupancywill alter consumption. This isespecially true in Southern Ari-zona because of the extremesummertime heat.

Helpful Hints for Saving Energyl Give guests the option for using sheets and tow-

els more than once before being laundered.Leave an information card in the room inform-ing the guests of their options. Make individualcards that the guests can place on the beds let-ting the housekeeping staff know of their deci-sions. Southern Arizona innkeepers Associationsand The American Hotel and Motel Association(see “Additional Information”) can providecards for this purpose as well. Also inform themthat if they prefer new towels everyday to leavethem on the floor. if they wish to reuse the tow-els they can let housekeeping know by hangingthem back up.

l Replace incandescent lights with low-mercuryor no-mercury fluorescent lights. fluorescentbulbs use much less energy than incandescentbulbs and they need to be changed onlyonce for every 10 times you must change anincandescent - a real bonus in time and money.Also, by using low-mercury or no-mercury lightsyou can save on the cost of disposing the bulbsas a special or hazardous waste.

l Shut off equipment when it is not needed.

l

l

Optimize temperature settings for space andwater heating. (130 degrees F. is optimal forwater heaters.)

Avoid simultaneously cooling and heatingspaces.

Reset guest-room temperature during house-keeping, a n d c l o s e / o p e n c u r t a i n s t oreduce/increase solar gain.

Weather-seal old doors and windows.

Operate heat recovery in laundry/swimmingpool.

Replace old equipment with efficient alternatives,using renewable energy where cost effective.

Make sure equipment is running properly. Thebetter your machines work, the more moneyyou will save in the long run.

investigate ways that solar energy can be used.in Southern Arizona, the benefits of solar en-ergy are infinite.

WaterIn Pima County, concern. The majority ter from underground

the issue of water sav- of Pima County resi- aquifers. Since South-ings is a big area of dents receive their wa- em Arizona is in the

desert, there is a lim-ited supply of thisvaluable resource.Therefore, it is impor-tant to do whatever wecan to preserve thewater that we do have,while in the process,seeing big savings inthe water bill.

The first step is toaudit how water is cur-rently used, and to es-tablish what signifi-cant opportunities ex-ist for promoting sav-ings. Identify the mainoptions for saving wa-ter, and estimate thecosts and potentialsavings of implement-ing them.

Monitor progress,again by comparinglast year’s water billswith current waterbills. This is the sim-plest way to deter-mine the success ofyour efforts.

The biggest di-lemma in this part ofthe country when dis-cussing water usage isthe issue of landscap-ing. People come fromall over the world toplay golf in Tucson.They expect to see lus-cious landscaping andbeautiful green golfcourses. Fortunately,there are ways to keepthe landscape beauti-ful, while at the sametime preserving waterand saving money.

Helpful Hints for Saving Waterl The use of laundry effluent for irrigation pur- l Make sure that sprinkler timers are timed to

poses can be investigated. Usually this type operate during periods of low-sun and areof water is loaded with plant nutrients and shut off when it has rained.might be best applied to lawns instead ofbeing unproductively routed to a waste wa- l Use mulches; they encourage the retentionter treatment facility. Detergent type and use of water, reduce weed growth, and preventwould have to be carefully determined to erosion. They also often improve soil condi-balance between cleaning needs and biologi- tions. Consider wood bark chips, woodcal compatibility. Also, it is very important grindings, pine straw nut shells, small gravel,to check zoning codes and environmental or shredded landscape clippings.regulations to ensure legal compliance whenconsidering this waste water option. l Water and fertilize plants only as needed. Too

much water promotes weak growth and in-* Careful landscape planning can be an effec- creases pruning and mowing requirements.

tive way to reduce both energy and water High nitrogen fertilizers applied during drybills. Proper placement of trees and shrubs periods encourage water-demanding newcan provide natural shading and also reduce growth. (A local garden specialist may beinfiltration losses by blocking wind. Proper able to help determine your watering andselection of these trees and shrubs can re- fertilizing needs.)duce water use while enhancing the ambi-ance of your property A landscaping con- * Use bowls/buckets for washing/cleaning -cept known as ‘xeriscape’ incorporates re- don’t leave a faucet running.gional and microclimate conditions, existingvegetation, topography, intended uses, and l Ensure full laundry/dishwasher loads.the water needs of specific plants (which canbe grouped accordingly). Some xeriscape l As mentioned earlier, give guests the optiongoals include: of changing linen and towels every 3 days.

incorporate your soil conditions into yourplanning; the University of Arizona Extension l Check ail faucets for leaks; a dripping faucetService may assist you in determining your can waste up to 1,000 gallons of water eachsoil type. (See “Additional information “) year.

Preserve as many of the existing trees andshrubs as possible; established plants require l lnstall aerators/flow restrictors on ail sinksless irrigation and maintenance. and shower heads; these maintain the force

Choose local or regional plants known for of the shower, but can reduce the volume ofthe image you want to project, as well as water used by up to 30%.their water efficiency and resistance to dis-ease and pests. l Put water-filled bottles in toilet tanks to re-

Minimize the use of turf; it is a major con- duce flush volume.sumer of water and requires much greaterattention than plants. l Check for leaking toilets regularly by putting

a couple of drops of food coloring into thel Reduce the typical high-volume water runoff toilet tank. if the color leaks into the toilet

or loss through evaporation by using low- bowl without flushing, check the seal at thevolume or drip irrigation methods for most bottom of the tank for leaks.trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers.Always water deeply, but only when theplants need the water.

Effluents and emis-sions are the variousliquids, solids (efflu-ents) or gases (emis-sions) that are releasedinto the environmentthat can ultimatelydamage soil, ground-water or air. Air qual-ity problems are amuch discussed issuein Arizona, especiallyin the larger cities.There are many regu-lations that must befollowed in order to bein compliance. There-fore, it is important toensure that your hotelis aware of and follow-

ing the rules, for yourbenefit as well as yourguests.

Good practice incontrolling effluentsand emissions dependsupon effective ongo-ing-monitoring aftertaking action. Theform that this monitor-ing needs to take willdepend on the mea-sures implemented. Itmay be checking thatnew procedures are be-ing followed, or check-ing purchase orders(e.g. to see how muchCFC is being used dur-ing maintenance).

Helpful Hints for Limiting Effluents and Emissions

l Cut out chemical pesticides. Many large hotel l Promote the use of the public bus system tochains, including the Disney World Hotel in Or- your employees and guests. It is an inexpen-lando, incorporate “good” insects such as lady- sive and easy way to get almost anywhere youbugs to eliminate the “bad” insects. This is an want to go, especially in Tucson.inexpensive and natural way to cut down on l Make certain that ail hotel vehicles are run-those unwanted pests without harming the en- ning properly and emitting as little as possible.vironment. investigate other ways that this con- * If your hotel offers dry cleaning services andcept, known as Integrated Pest Management, the cleaning is done at your hotel, verify thatcan he/p you cut down on chemical pesticides. the facility is permitted with Pima County.(See “Additional information “.) Many dry cleaners use a chemical known as

l Composting is an excellent way to cut down on perchloroethylene that is hazardous to hu-the use of chemical fertilizers, while at the same mans and strictly regulated. Check with thetime reusing solid waste. This can save you Pima County Department of Environmentalmoney by reducing disposal costs and purchas- Quality to ensure that you are in compliance.ing unwanted inorganic fertilizers. l Do not promote the use of wood burning stoves

l Eliminate the use of aerosols. Despite the fact and fireplaces; they emit many hazardous airthat CFCs have been phased out, non-CFC pollutants, including benzene which is knownaerosols help cause smog, and can contain dan- to cause cancer in humans. instead, use fire-gerous nitrous oxides, ketones, solvents, and places that burn natural gas. Gas fireplacesacetone. The sensible solution would be to switch are lower maintenance and less polluting.to pump spray dispensers: they are far cheaper The same practice goes for charcoal burn-and can be refilled and reused for years. ing barbecues.

Storm Water RunoffThis topic is not often thought of as a prob-

lem. Storm water pollution occurs when waterwashing over the land surface, whether fromrain, car washing or watering of lawns or gar-dens, picks up an array of contaminants includ-ing oil and sand from roadways, pesticides andherbicides from yards, and various heavy met-als and toxic compounds from urban areas. Thiswater finds its way into our waterways, eitherdirectly or through storm drain collection sys-tems. Storm water runoff is one of the culpritscausing the deterioration of our nation’s waterquality. For this reason, it is important to realizewhat is in that water to avoid polluting the ground-water and causing damage to property and plants.

PurchasingThe products which your hotel buys have en-

vironmental effects associated with their manu-facture, distribution, use and disposal. Similarly,there are environmental impacts associated withthe activities that the contractors you use conductfor you. There are often improvements which canbe made to products and services which can bringenvironmental and business benefits. As the buyerof these products and services, you are in a posi-tion to make environmental improvements. Thisis one of the main opportunities to demonstrateyour environmental good practice to guests-manywill recognize and respect your efforts. Informingyour suppliers of your environmental concernswillencourage them to find environmentally-friend-lier alternatives, and so extend the benefits of yourinitiative up the supply chain.

Changing your purchasing practices is not easy.Most will take time to put in place. Do not at-tempt to change many purchase areas at once.Rank your priorities and tackle them one at a time.For each product or service that you address, youwill need to go through the same process of:

1) Informing your supplier of your desire toimprove the environmental quality of theproduct line, and asking them whetherthey are able to supply a suitable alterna-tive at a similar cost.

2) Researching other alternatives available.

Helpful Hints for ReducingStorm Water Pollution

l Time pesticide application so that it is notdone before watering or during rainy peri-ods. This will not only reduce the amount ofstorm water pollution, but it will also saveyou money in the long run.

l Grade and mow drainage-ways whenevernecessary.

l Remove sand and debris from drainage struc-tures as well.

l Clean up roadside litter and weeds.

3) Obtaining samples of the products andtesting them to see whether they performas well as the original on all criteria.

4) Deciding on your preferred product, andordering.

Helpful Hints for Purchasingl Switch to using recycled paper products. This

is a big way that you can support recyclingand let your guests know that you support ittoo. it is important to not order reams of re-cycled paper until you have tested it on yourphotocopier.

l Avoid buying over packaged products.l Buy refillable shampoos, soaps, and jams in-

stead of miniatures. A large chain in New Yorkput a refillable pump system for shampoo, con-ditioner and soap in every shower and receiveda great response from their guests.

l Buy organic foods wherever possible. It ishealthier for you, and infinitely better for theenvironment. Organic food uses no pesticides,herbicides or chemical fertilizers - so our soil,water and air are relieved of the toxic chemi-cals used by conventional, modem agri-busi-ness methods. Promote the use of organicfoods in your menus - guests will appreciate it.

Toxic WasteWithout a proper program

of toxic waste disposal, toxicliquids are poured down sinks,and toxic solids go into thedumpster. Eventually, bothkinds get into our preciousgroundwater, ultimately con-taminating our drinking water.

Fluorescent lightsDepending on the quantity

generated and the type of bulbsused, fluorescent bulbs can beconsidered a special or a haz-ardous waste. (See “AdditionalInformation”)

Other Toxic Waste

Almost every non-organiccommercial cleaning, disinfect-ing, deodorizing or paintingproduct is toxic. The followingproducts should not be thrownout with your regular garbage:

SolventsVarnishesOil-Based PaintsHerbicidesFungicidesPesticidesOven CleanerAir FreshenersMothballsPermanent Ink MarkersOffice “White Out” FluidsCarpet CleanersAcrylic Floor PolishesFurniture PolishMotor OilAerosolsKitchen GreasePhotocopying FluidsBatteriesPool ChemicalsShoe PolishMetal PolishesSpot Removers

Helpful Hints forDisposing of Toxic Waste

The best way to wipe out 7) Clearly label a containertoxic waste is to stop using them “Hazardous Waste” and setwhenever possible. it apart from the regular

Most of the hazardous sub- trash bins.stances listed below can be re- 2) Post and update a l i s tplaced by another natural non- of all items which must gotoxic product. If they can not, in this container.be certain that all are disposed 3) Contact the Small Businessof properly and responsibly, Waste Assistance Program

How to dispose of these dan- for disposal information atgerous and illegal pollutants: (520) 740-3340.

Checklists for Key Departments

Housekeeping and Laundry

Reduce Waste Conserve waterl Sort waste from guest-rooms

for recyclingl Remove on/y towels thrown

on floor for laundering

l Collect flowers and take to l Check if bed linen con justcompost heap be rep/aced every three days

l lake a// empty minibarbottles to kitchen store

l Do nor leave water runningwhile cleaning

l Use cleaning cloths ratherthan paper towels

l Use nontoxic, non-aerosolcleaners

l Use on/y the minimum re-quired amount of detergent/water softeners in laundry

l Get leaking or dripping wa-ter faucets and toilets fixed

Save Energy

When employees leave guestrooms:

• Turn oil lights out

l Switch television off

l Close windows

• Close curtains

l If room is not booked, turnheating/air conditioning off

l If room is booked, turn roomcontrols to minimum com-fort level

l Ensure furniture is not p/acedin front of hearers/vents

Food Service and KitchenReduce Waste

l Separate and rakeall organic wasteto compost pile

l Separate and storebottles, glass andcans for recycling

l Purchase materi-als in bulk when-ever possible

l Serve condimentssuch as preservesin refillable con-tainers

l Do not use dispos-able napkins, cut-lery or crockery

l Return packagingto purveyor

Conserve Waterl Do nor leave fau-

cets running

l Wash vegetablesin containers

l Use dishwasherwith full racks on/y

l Do nor use waterto defrost frozenfoodstuffs

l Limit “refreshing”use of cold water

l Install aerators onfaucets

Save Energyl Ensure all appli-

ances have beenswitched off whennor in use

l K e e p d o o r s t ocold rooms, re-f r igera tors andfreezers closed

l Only switch onlights in bar andrestaurant whennatural light is in-sufficient

l Keep oven pre-heating period tominimum

l Use correct burnerring, pan size andq u a n t i t i e s f o rcooking

Wise Purchasing

Avoid buying over-packaged goods

Buy only what youneed

Buy organ ica l l ygrown food whenpossible

Purchase fresh foodwhere possible

Buy local ly pro-duced goods

Encourage suppli-ers/contractors todo the same

Stores and Purchasing

Reduce Wastel Buy in bulk whenever possible

l Insist on minimal packaging from all suppliers

l Encourage all suppliers to use returnable andreusable packaging, particularly cardboardcartons and wooden crates

l Stop buying disposable items

l Buy unbleached and recycled paper products

l if you must buy batteries, buy on/y the recharge-able kind

l Don’t buy toxic chemicals, especially for use ingroundskeeping

Save Energyl Seek our solar-powered products, from calcu-

lators to outdoor lights for guest paths on thegrounds

l Buy on/y solid stare dimmers for all lighting in-stallations

Maintenance, Grounds and Golf CourseManagement

Maximize EfficiencyNetwork and subscribe toinformation services to keepup with best available tech-nology

Recommend substitute tech-nologies which minimizehotel’s consumption of en-ergy water, and generationof waste

Brainstorm ways to reduceand reuse energy, water, andwaste throughout the hotel

Recommend benchmarksand measurements in eachdepartment for monitoringwaste, and water and energyconsumption

Perform regular maintenanceof equipment

Save Energyl Install energy-saving equip-

ment (e.g. energy-efficientlights, motion detectors)

l Determine and then imple-ment optimal temperaturesett ings for heating andcooling

l Shut off heating/cooling/lighting in unoccupied areas

l Sub-meter utilities to moreeffectively monitor usage -especially outdoor lightingto benefi t f rom off-peakrates

Reduce WasteInstall compactor to reducevolume of waste

Set up organic waste dis-posal and cornposting sys-tems with the kitchen

Use chemical-free, organicinsecticides

Have experts from a localnursery advise you on trees,shrubs and plants suitablefor your location, and helpyou to choose those whichrequire little care and whichwill thrive on the water theyreceive naturally

Rake or sweep debris ratherthan use a blower

Don’t leave your heated pooluncovered when not in use;it’s heating the entire neigh-borhood

Have a thermal consultantexamine any hear sourceswhich could be recycled andthereby reduce your pool op-erating costs

Don’t operate your poolpump 24 hours a day un-less local regulations de-mand it.

Conserve Waterl Install leak-detection equip-

ment

l frequent/y monitor raps, ef-fluent and ventilation sys-tems

l Install flow restrictors into allwater outlets

l Recover water from laundryrinse cycles/dry cleaningcooling cycles for reuse (e.g.for garden watering, flush-ing)

l Do not use water to washdriveways; sweep them in-stead

Control Effluents andEmissions

l Identify areas of effluentsand emission, monitor qual-ity of discharges and installleak detection equipment

l Replace any hazardous sub-stances in use with bestavailable nonhazardous al-ternatives

Front Office and Public Areas

Use recycled paper for sta-tionery

Use scrap paper for notes

Cancel junk mail

Collect waste paper for reuse

Avoid use of paper and foamcups

Make double-sided copies

Use refillable pens and tonercartridges

Take old flowers to the com-post pile

Save EnergySwitch off lights and appli-ances when nor in use

Use natural lights and ven-tilation where possible

Ensure thermostats are cor-rect/y adjusted

Use rechargeable batteriesfor appliances

Ensure hotel doors are closedif central heating/air condi-tioning is on

Shut down some elevatorsand escalators during slowtimes

Reduce hot water tempera-ture in public washroomsand install flow restrictors onfaucets

Install sensor lights in allpublic bathrooms

Wise PurchasingAvoid products containingenvironmental ly harmfulmaterials

Buy only what you need

Buy good quality repairablegoods

Buy locally produced goods

Buy recycled and recyclableproducts

Buy energy-efficient equip-ment

Check that equipment ismaintained regularly

Rooms DivisionEncourage Participation

l Place rent cards in guestrooms for reusing towels

l Place tent cards in guestsrooms asking them to turnoff lights and radios and TVswhen nor in use, to reportdripping raps or faulty plugs,to avoid leaving windowsopen, etc.

l Place rent cards in guestsrooms explaining newly ret-rofitted fluorescent bulbsand the supp/y of recycledfacial tissue

l Place tent cards in guestsbathrooms explaining wa-ter-saving shower heads,aerator raps, recycled toilettissue and potpourri in placeof chemical deodorizers

l Place rent cards in guestsrooms describing the recy-cling plan and the staff's vol-untary participation in theextra duties of sorting andcollecting recyclable items(ONE TENT CARD WlLL SUF-FICE FOR ALL OF THIS IN-FORMATION)

This booklet has outlinedthe easiest ways to make yourhotel, motel or resort becomemore environmentally aware.As we all know, it is importantto always be aware of how ouractions affect the environmentaround us, but it is also impor-tant that your actions achieveenvironmental improvementswhich bring business returns inthe short and long term. Theenvironmental action areas dis-cussed above can all help tobring your business benefits totheir maximum by bringingoperational savings, improvedrisk management and so on.However, there may be widerbusiness benefits to be derivedfrom your initiative in terms of:

Customer Loyalty and New Business Opportunities

Southern Arizona is an area with outstanding natural beautywhich tends to attract environmentally aware visitors. Therefore,you will benefit more than expected from a high-profile envi-ronmental policy.

Trading Relationships with Tour Operators

An association with a travel agency or tour operator who hasintroduced an environmental policy may be giving preference tosuppliers, like your hotel, who themselves demonstrate environ-mentally sound practices.

Corporate Reputation in the Community

Past fines for noncompliance with environmental legislationmay be damaging your hotel’s reputation in the community, andprospects for future expansion.

Staff Retention and Motivation

Members of your staff may be more aware of these issues-than you might think, and may become highly motivated toparticipate.

You need good monitoringprocedures to know that yourplan is working and achievingits objectives. Monitoringshould be regular - how regu-lar depends on the subject be-ing monitored. But it should besufficiently frequent to enablecorrective action to be taken ifthere is a major change fromtargeted performance. Energyand water consumption shouldbe monitored on at least aweekly basis. This need nottake a member of staff, perhapsyour Green Leader, morethan 10 minutes a week.

You might find it useful tohold short meetings on a bi-weekly or monthly basis withrelevant individuals to reviewthe progress made, and to helpsort out problems as they arise.

Once a year you will need tostep back and check yourprogress. The review might bestbe undertaken by the GreenLeader and might take the formof a short report attaching com-pleted goal and monitoringforms of the initiatives under-taken. Alternatively, you mightprefer to use independent con-sultants if you do not have the

resources or expertise in-house todo this. The review should coveryour environmental manage-ment capabilities as well as yourprogress with specific environ-mental actions. This review pro-cess is invaluable. It will high-light problem areas as well ashelp you to identify the most ap-propriate environmental man-agement approach for your busi-

ness. You can then begin to planfor the coming year.

The Pima County Depart-ment of Environmental QualityBusiness Assistance Program of-fers, at no extra charge, to con-duct site assessment visits toidentify and suggest changes tobe implemented. For more infor-mation on this and other ser-vices call (520) 740-3342.

Additional InformationWebsitesPima County Department of Environmental QualityWWW.DEQ.PIMA.GOV

American Hotel and Motel AssociationWWW.AHMA.COM

Energy Efficient Building AssociationWWW.EEBA.ORG

Indoor EnviroCenterWWW.ENVIROCENTER.COM/NENVIRONCENTERHOME.HTM

Environmental Building NewsWWW.EBUlLD.COM

US Green Building CouncilGWIS.CIRC.GWU.EDU/-GREENU/USGBC.HTML

Indoor Air Quality, HVAC, EnergyWWW.ENVIRON.COM

Pollution Prevention for Facility DesignersWWW.HANFORD.GOV/WHC/PP/TXT-33.HTM

Center for Energy Efficient BuildingsEANDE.LBL.GOV/CBS/CBS.HTML

Telephone NumbersPima County Department of Environmental Quality(520) 740-3340

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality(800) 234-5677

To obtain information on waste reduction andrecycling in Pima County contact the RETHINKITinformation line 791-5000

Southern Arizona Innkeepers Association(520) 791-7526

Arizona Hotel & Motel Association, Inc.(602) 553-8802

American Hotel and Motel Association(301) 705-7455

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension(520) 626-5161

University of Arizona Pesticide Management Center621-4012

Pima County Health Department 740-2760

Tucson Organic Composting Assistance Line 670-9158

Tucson Clean & Beautiful 79l-3109

Graffiti Abatement Program 624-7833

Tucson Water Conservation 79l-4331

EPA Wastewi$e 800-EPA-WISE

Small Business Waste Assistance Program 740-3340

Illegal Dumping Hotline 622-5800

AcknowledgmentsPima County DEQ acknowledges the followingorganizations and their publications for theirassistance in the creation of this booklet.

Pollution Prevention in the Hospitality IndustryRECOM Applied Solutions, Inc.2919 W. 17th Avenue, Suite 207Longmont, CO 80503-l658(303) 678-9603

Environmental Action Pack for HotelsAmerican Hotel & Motel Association1201 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 600Washington, DC 20005-3931(202) 289-3100

Green Partnership GuideCanadian Pacific HotelsOne University AvenueSuite 1400Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M5J 2Pl(416) 367-7111

Challenge and ChangeThe Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum15-16 Cornwall TerraceRegent’s Park, London, ENGLAND NWlY 4QP44(O) 171 467 3620

Waste Reduction in Hotels and MotelsGeorgia Hospitality Environmental Partnership120 W. Trinity Place, Room 308Decatur, GA 30030(404) 371-2405

Waste Reduction Opportunity AssessmentHotel Fort Des Moines1000 Walnut StreetDes Moines, IA 50309(512) 281-8927

This publication is produced by thePima County Department of EnvironmentalQuality’s Business Assistance Program andfunded by a Pollution Prevention Incentivesfor States grant provided by the U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency through the ArizonaDepartment of Environmental Quality.