Setting up a small hotel business is challenging taking into consideration the crowded market, yet it seems that many entrepreneurs succeed. Somehow, start-ups manage to deal with the competition and avoid getting side-lined. Running a small hotel is anything but easy. You have to conduct market research, differentiate yourself by making products and services appealing, take control of your finances, oversee staff members, and manage waste. Speaking of waste management, there is nothing more important than collecting, transporting, treating, and disposing of waste.
The good news is that businesses in the hospitality industry care about the Earth and don’t neglect waste management. Hotels, even small ones, are managing their by-products through a combination of policy, technology, management and recycling. Now the question is: Are you? If you’re not, then you should. But why should you care about managing waste? Tonnes of waste are generated each year, contributing to the general problem. Even if you don’t realize it, your small hotel produces waste through daily operations. What happens is that this unwanted material ends up in the landfills. The problem isn’t the huge pile of waste, but the toxins that are released into the soil and groundwater. Let’s not talk about food waste.
Managing waste help you save money and other resources. Here are some clever ways to manage waste within a small hotel.
1. Utilize refillable dispenser systems.
People rarely take the time to ask themselves what happens with all the leftover toiletries. They have no idea that soap and miniature shampoo bottles are collected by the hotel staff and thrown away into big bins. This is a disaster for the environment. And for your hospitality business. Your spend millions of dollars per year on bath amenities. In the past, only a third of guests would use the toiletries. At present, most of them do. Toiletries are things you need. You’re better off spending your money on refillable dispenser systems for soaps, shampoo, and conditioner.
Refillable dispenser systems have enormous cost saving potential. You can save thousands of dollars each year by simply replacing the plastic bottles with reusable alternatives. Liquids are purchased in large quantities and we all know that buying in bulk is generally less expensive. What is more, refillable dispensers create large volumes of liquid, encouraging people to use less. There is an impressive array of soap and dispenser options. It’s your job to determine which options have the biggest impact on cost. It’s a good idea to take a close look at the capacity of the refill pouch.
2. Minimise food waste.
Research demonstrates that the hotel industry generates thousands of tons of waste each year. Most of it is food waste. Hotel businesses are eager to please customers and, consequently, they do everything within their power to create enjoyable experiences. A significant per cent of what passes through the kitchen is thrown away. Chances are that you’re familiar with this scenario. Overproduction in the kitchen leads to food waste. What you have to do is avoid overproduction. Review your purchasing practices, check deliveries, and ensure that the food is properly stored.
Sometimes, the food remains uneaten by guests. Maybe the portions are too big. Or maybe customers just don’t feel like eating anymore. No matter the case, monitor how much and what type of food waste is left. This will give you an idea of what you can do to remediate the situation. What are you supposed to do with the leftovers? Well, it’s a good idea to reuse the food. We are talking about raw ingredients that are left uncooked. Don’t throw it away. They are perfectly good to eat. Most importantly, prevent spoilage. Make sure that the food is stocked at the right temperatures and check shelf life.
3. Manage by-products easily with a baler.
You’re in the type of business that involves handling by-products. In case you didn’t know, a baler makes it easier than ever to manage waste. A waste baler is an innovative piece of machinery and it should be used by all industries, not just the hospitality one. Examples of industries that will benefit from using waste management solutions include automotive, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and education. But what is a baler, anyway? It’s a machine that transforms material like plastic and paper into bales. The materials are made into dense bales for easy storage. You should sort, compress, and recycle plastic and cardboard. Why? Because you can significantly reduce waste costs. Make sure that the waste baler is accommodated in areas where food is prepared.
4. Switch to LED lights.
IS your hotel business using LED light? If no, then that is too bad because regular light bulbs damage the environment. These small things contain toxic mercury, which can pollute the drinking water. As surprising as it may seem, the mercury contained in a light bulb can pollute 15,000 litres of water. On the other hand, LED lights are environmentally-friendly. They are efficient as compared to traditional lights, only 5% being wasted as heat. Most importantly, LED lights don’t contain toxic elements, so there is no risk of contaminating the environment. As for the lifespan of LED lights, you can expect them to last about 6 months longer than your old lights. Sure, they are a little bit more expensive, but LED lights are worth the investment.
To conclude, waste management in the hotel is of paramount importance because it has become harder and harder to dispose of by-products. The landfill capacity has diminished considerably, not to mention that the cost of waste disposal is higher. Managing waste should be your primary focus. When you manage waste from inception to disposal, you save a lot of money and generate additional income. Guests do care if you’re a friend to the Earth. As a matter of fact, they rank high hotels that are willing to minimise their carbon footprint. If you don’t care too much about the environment, you should care about what customers have to say. Don’t forget. Reduce, recycle, reuse.
