After staying at an environmentally friendly hotel in Germany in the early ’90s, Patty Griffin became inspired. When she returned to the states, she polled 200 hotels on their interest in environmental issues. Transitioning to greener operations was an intriguing possibility, but management, for the most part, couldn’t afford to make learning about green issues a high priority.

So Griffin established herself as a green advocate for the lodging industry. As the founder and president of the Green Hotels Association® (GHA), Griffin helps GHA implement ecologically friendly operations.

GHA membership ranges from chains as large as Hilton to independent “mom and pop”-run bed-and-breakfast establishments. Members receive a book of green guidelines — a significant portion of which are directly related to housekeeping; a catalog of green-product manufacturers; a detailed checklist to inventory and evaluate products for effectiveness, toxicity and cost; a recipe book for mixing your own green cleaning products; a newsletter; and the opportunity to refer to themselves as “green-certified” through GHA.

Where savings are found
Griffin says most facilities initially join GHA because they are looking for ways to make their operations more cost-effective. “We guarantee hotels will save more than the membership costs,” she says, adding that an annual membership runs $1 per room, or $100 minimum/$750 maximum.

Savings are realized through practices such as “on-request” linen services — changing sheets and towels on request (instead of daily), which saves tons of detergent, gallons of water, and millions of kilowatts. The program also saves on time — so housekeepers can service more rooms — and also reduces wear and tear on equipment and linens. A small sign in each room explains the program.

The 124-room Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine — a GHA member — asks guests to put a card on the bed when they want their sheets changed, and to put towels in the tub when they need those replaced. When linens and towels become too worn to be serviceable, they’re fashioned into amenities like dog blankets (the Colony accepts pets) and potholders, which the hotel sells in its gift shop.

Lana Westcott, director of sales, marketing and environmental programs, says business at the Colony increased 15 percent in the first five years of GHA membership, from 1994 to 1999.

In the eyes of executive housekeeper Lois Boyden, the only green strategy that impacted the staff’s daily routine was separating trash. And while the separation area requires significant space, Westcott is pleased to report that they’ve prevented more than 90 tons of waste from entering the landfill. She says she hasn’t tracked the financial aspects of recycling versus landfilling, because they’d do it anyway, as a community service.

“It’s more about the whole social conscience of it,” she explains. “Last year, we donated $1,000 to a local nonprofit — just from bottles and cans on the property, not including our bar.”

Today, an ecology committee oversees green operations, and a full-time recycling chief ensures the programs are properly executed. Minimizing chemicals was a priority, and now attendants use an all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, disinfectant, enzyme cleaner and hardwood floor cleaner. Cleaning sprays are refilled from five-gallon “buddy jugs.” Boyden says she’d prefer to use a bulk-type dispenser, but is limited by the building’s floorplan.

Los Angeles Athletic Club
The private, 72-room Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) joined GHA two years ago, basing its decision to join 60 percent on marketing, and 40 percent on gaining easier access to green product and practice information.

LAAC shares a similar brand identity with the Colony — a commitment to health and to maintaining an environment that supports it. Director of Hotel Operations James Provance believes the GHA certification is valuable in that it gives guests and meeting planners an assurance they’re dealing with a reputable, ecologically sensitive hotel.

LAAC implemented its linen-on-request program many years ago when California draughts galvanized the public to water conservation. Provance estimates the program saves housekeepers one-third to one-half the time it normally takes to clean a room, and reports that guests have been very accommodating.

“We have a good 60 percent return rate on our guests,” he says, “It feels like home, so the idea fit — it wasn’t a hard sell at all.”

Provance highly recommends upgrading towels to make the most of a linen-exchange program — the higher the quality towel, the longer it will retain a fresh feeling. When towels are removed from service at LAAC they’re turned into housekeeping rags, and finally put into service in engineering.

Provance finds himself searching for green vendors for even esoteric items — most recently bed linens. “It’s an excellent resource,” he says. “I know I’ll get my money out of the membership. I don’t know what I’ll do exactly when I sign the check, but the ideas are there, and we choose to implement them.”

As the quality and price of green cleaning products has stabilized over the years the market has expanded appreciably. While Griffin’s recipes for homemade green-cleaning compounds may work well for many businesses, hotels — where ambiance is crucial — may need to go beyond, especially when it comes to using vinegar. “It’s non-abrasive and non-toxic,” says Provance, “but then housekeepers have to come back with a commercial spray to mask the smell.”

Minimizing chemical inventory
For many green housekeeping managers, the primary consideration is minimizing the number of cleaning products used. “Fewer chemicals floating around means one fewer headache, especially if OSHA knocks on the door,” says LAAC’s Provance.

The club’s attendant carts are stocked with a multipurpose cleaner that dusts and cleans windows, a tub and shower cleaner, and a lavatory bowl cleaner. Cleaning solutions arrive on premise premixed, and a housekeeper refills the 16-ounce cart bottles at the beginning and end of each day. Provance is considering adding a scuff eraser to remove greasy black marks common in hotels where suitcases and casters bounce around and grind on walls and kick-plates.

Cleaning-product manufacturers aware of organizations’ increasing interest in green-cleaning practices continue to develop greener — if not green-certified — products.

Green Seal, an independent, nonprofit organization, certifies products based on its list of environmentally preferable criteria. Manufacturers pay for evaluation, and if a product meets Green Seal’s criteria, it’s certified and can be packaged and marketed using the Green Seal logo.

Procter & Gamble’s “in-room” program includes a residue-free, disinfecting general-purpose cleaner; two heavy-duty restroom cleaners; a dusting and wiping system; and a spray that eliminates odors.

“We have commitment to ensure all our products are the equivalent of green or better than green,” says Craig Monsell, jan/san marketing manager. Monsell also emphasizes the value of common-sense approaches to health and cleanliness such as hand-washing and cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces, including doorknobs, push-plates and switch plates.

Spartan Chemical Company Inc. launched a line of green-cleaning products two years ago. Its “Green Solutions” line includes all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, and neutral disinfectant — plus restroom cleaner, carpet cleaner, floor-sealant finish, floor-finish remover, and industrial cleaner.

Envirox develops, manufactures and markets environmentally preferable products and introduced a nontoxic, all-purpose cleaner in 1998 called H2orange2. Its Green Seal-certified formula is based on hydrogen peroxide and and is complemented by a line of green products and equipment for dispensing and application.

Green resources for hotels
Hospitality organizations who are interested in more information about the Green Hotels Association can click to access a list of members, testimonials, and green products and services or call 713-789-8889 .

Green Seal also offers green-hotel certification, in partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Association. To view certification requirements and a list of members, click or call 202-872-6400.

Lori Veit is a free-lance writer based in Madison, Wisconsin.




POSTED ON: 7/1/2004