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Corinthia London Tour
The fabulous lobby lounge chandelier
During a recent trip to the UK Liz Lycette managed to catch up with Anne-lyse Dufour, Executive Housekeeper at the stunning new 5 star, Corinthia London. Anne-lyse took a little time out of her busy schedule to show Liz around the hotel located in the centre of London at Whitehall Place, right next to Charing Cross station and overlooking the Thames. The 294 room Corinthia Hotel London is the flagship of the Corinthia group and has become the ninth member of the Corinthia family, opening its doors in May this year.
The hotel is in the style of a Grand Hotel with many modern and contemporary touches. It has specialty restaurants and London’s largest spa and wellness facility.
The soaring dome in the centre of the lobby lounge features a Full Moon chandelier created by Parisian designer Chafik Gasmi and produced by Baccarat, the prestigious French crystal manufacturer. The Full Moon, composed of 1,001 crystal baubles, is the grand focal point of the main hotel area. This will be an interesting cleaning assignment for housekeeping!
The lobby lounge
Anne-lyse points out features of the ballroom
Give success a chance!
Ariane Lellmann
By Ariane Lellmann, Senior Housekeeping Consultant
There is a common misconception “Work hard and you will get ahead”, but whether you consider it fair or not, that is indeed an outdated myth. In today’s competitive business environment we must recognise that professional success is built on three critical components; ‘Performance’, ‘Image’ and ‘Exposure’. While ‘Performance’ is obviously still pivotal, it is also the minimum to remain in a job and as such is only the first step on the ladder of success. The aspect of ‘Image’ is the message you send before you speak, whether it is intentional or not, and includes your physical presentation and confidence projection. Your image is your brand and you can improve your image if you are open to self-improvement. Finally ‘Exposure’ is making sure that others know of your achievement and builds your reputation.
Does your form of dress and presentation style (even in uniform) communicate your desired impression and image? When was the last time you asked for honest feedback how others see you? Is your self presentation aligned with your desired professional goals and ambitions? This article aims at providing a few practical tips on how you can positively influence your image, realising your full business potential and ambitions. The strategy is to “Dress for Success”!
A few business dress guidelines to enhance your self-presentation and image in the corporate environment include:
Suits, combinations and jackets
Ø Always choose a well tailored, dark suit in dark blue or mid- to dark-grey, not brown. Suits are the most stylish and professional outfit and most authoritative.
Ø Don’t wear slightly different colours as a combination. Wear a darker colour jacket with a paler colour for trousers or skirt.
Ø The jacket is the most important item .Avoid sleeves which are either too short or too long and fold them up – have them altered professionally to fit you perfectly
Ø Always dry clean suit pieces together
Ø Hang up suit jackets on hangers with broad backs and let them air
Skirts
Ø Skirt length to be just below the knee, where the leg is the slimmest.
Ø Waistbands to be loose enough to insert two fingers allowing it to turn easily; it must hang from the buttocks in a straight line and not curve under.
Trousers
Ø Trouser pleats are to remain closed, zippers and closings must lie flat. Trousers must be long enough to break in front and fall straight from buttocks. The waistband to be loose enough to allow two fingers to be inserted and no panty line to show at any time.
Ø Avoid stuffed pockets with keys, money or phone (use your handbag)
Blouses and tops
Ø Be careful with blouse collars under jackets, best wear no-collar plain tops without frills and not see-through. They should be made of natural fibres or top quality blends such as silk, crepe, challis, cotton and linen.
Ø Beware of the wrong colour bra under any top and avoid dressing provocatively ( no revealing necklines, cover your cleavage)
Dresses
Ø Wrap style and button down dresses are very suited
Ø Avoid clingy fabric dresses
Different fabrics and fabric finishes
Ø Suited for official corporate wear: solids or small prints in fine weaves such as worsted wool, wool crepe gabardine, gabardine, crepe, crepe de chine, jacquard.
Ø Suited for smart casual office wear: solids or medium prints in medium weaves such as herringbone, jersey, knit, broadcloth, oxford cloth, cotton pique, raw silk, tweed – patterned, linen, linen/blends, handkerchief-weight linen, wool flannel, rayon
Ø Best suited for casual wear only: solids or medium to large prints in coarser, looser weaves such as corduroy, denim, madras, seersucker, poplin
Ø Remember that the finer the weave and the shinier the fabric, the dressier the garment. Matte finish is less dressy. Avoid mixing fabrics with very different constructions and finishes.
Shoes
Ø Wear clean and polished, closed court shoes with a medium high heel matching your trousers or skirt. Avoid very strappy sandals or heels you cannot walk on.
Ø If you wear tights (preferably tan colour, no pattern) have a spare pair packed in case you snag them. Never wear dark tights with paler colour shoes. Don’t wear tights in open toe sandals, showing the toe seam. If no tights are worn, ensure legs are waxed, moisturised and heels buffed.
Accessories
Ø Jewellery at work: Less is more. Jewellery to be discreet, not dangling or noise making, one ring per hand, good quality watch, one bracelet, one necklace (string of pearls is the most classical, but many fashion beads are acceptable ); earrings close to the ear and avoid loop or dangling earrings in the more conservative business environments.
Ø Avoid visible body piercing or tribal body painting/tattooing.
Ø Complete the 15-point check-up before leaving for work: Count each shoe, your stockings, your jacket and blouse and your skirt (if it is different from the jacket). Bright colours count two points and bright nail polish and red hair each count one point. Count all accessories including bracelets, necklaces, each earring, brooches and scarves. If the number exceeds 15, you’ve overdone it
Know what suits your shape – a few tricks and tips
For all figures
Ø Buy 1 good quality item, rather than 5 badly made ones
Ø Par down and minimise your business wardrobe – make sure all items can be mixed and matched
Ø Always buy the right size and items in proportion to your shape
Ø Have a good seamstress for alterations!
Ø Buy classic items for work – they last longer and don’t go out of fashion
The fuller figure
Ø Base your business wardrobe on dark neutral colours and prefer one-colour dressing, adding interest with textures and colourful accessories, preferably close to the face.
Ø Vertical and diagonal lines are your friends
Ø Watch proportion and balance, make sure clothes fit properly and are not oversized
Ø Avoid bulky, stiff or shiny fabrics, they should have just enough weight to fall naturally without clinging
The small and petite figure
Ø Always wear small prints and patterns, narrow lapels or box style jackets, keep trimmings and accessories in proportion to your body size
And finally do not forget that your deportment, body language and good grooming also impact on your physical presentation.
Remember that employers don’t hire or promote a person on their qualifications or job performance alone, but they evaluate the entire package – so apply some of the tricks of business and give your success a chance.
Honours for E-learning Innovations projects
Ariane Lellmann and Ann Brady
By: Hayley Beck, Australian Flexible Learning Framework
The Learning Impact Awards (LIA2011) was a very successful event not only due to the interesting speakers and overwhelming LIA entrants but as commented by Rob Abel (CEO of IMS Global) due to the ‘outstanding quality of LIA entrants’ which made it very difficult for the judges to decide on award allocations.
Following is a list of the successful awards recipients:
* Winner: Mathletics (3P Learning Pty Ltd)
* Ist runner-up: Diving Supervisors and Chamber Supervisor Training* 2nd runner-up: Redefining ‘Class’ (Wanganui Park Secondary College) * Encouragement Award: Finance for Housekeepers (Lycette & Associates/Balfour College)* Encouragement Award: Remote Access Laboratory (USQ)
* Encouragement Award: BlogED (NSW Department of Education and Training (DET)
* Encouragement Award: Deloitte Leadership Academy (Deloitte)* People’s Choice: Tri-Border Attendance Strategy (Department of Education, WA)
Two innovative e-learning projects, funded and supported by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) were among the recipients. The awards, which recognise outstanding applications of technology to support education and learning, were held in Melbourne on 24 February 2011. ‘Diving into mobile learning’ was named runner-up of the Learning Impact Award and ‘Hospitalit-e’ received an Encouragement Award.
Diving into mobile learning
In 2010, the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) partnered with the NSW Public Safety Diving unit, to ensure public safety divers stayed up-to-date with industry standards and occupational health and safety legislation. Public safety dive teams, attached to the police, navy and army, face some of the most difficult and demanding scenarios of any rescue group. They typically dive in low-visibility or even black-out conditions, racing to save a life or methodically searching the bottom for evidence. The project used the Moodle learning management system (LMS) and mobile technologies such as netbooks and smartphones to provide learners with just-in-time information in the field. An offline version of the LMS (Poodle) was also created to provide information, resources and training materials to current and past ADAS learners.
Hospitalit-E
In 2010, Balfour College, working with Lycette & Associates, needed to address a skills gap identified where housekeepers working in resorts, hotels, aged care facilities and hospitals are often responsible for maintaining budgets, sometimes worth millions of dollars. Housekeepers tend to be recruited internally and learn on-the-job rather than through formal qualifications. Using Moodle and creating learning objects with Adobe Captivate, the project team devised an online learning program for three units of competency in finance. Assessment was carried out through online and work-based tasks.
Both projects were funded and supported by the Framework’s E-learning Innovations business activity. The ADAS project will now progress to the international IMS Global Learning Impact Awards, taking place in Long Beach California on 16-19 May 2011.
Textile Shortages – Potential Implications For Hotels
Linen Room
By Brian Bensman
Some have referred to cotton as the new “white gold.” And with cotton prices nearly doubling over the past year—to their highest levels since cotton pricing began being tracked as a commodity—it’s no surprise. Several factors have influenced this price surge, including severe weather patterns, oil prices, trade restrictions, stockpiling, a global recession and emerging markets.
With little change expected in the foreseeable future, experts predict that the rise in costs will have a direct impact on consumers. Additionally, the increase in cotton prices has begun impacting pricing for other common raw materials such as polyester.
Rising cotton prices can impact several areas of procurement within a hotel operation, including employee apparel, bed linens, towels and items used to clean the facility such as cloths and mops.
By being mindful of this situation, hoteliers can prepare and limit its impact by offsetting costs in other areas of the operation.
Less Supply
Much of the current cotton situation can be reduced to the simple economics of supply and demand. China, India, Pakistan and the U.S. remain the four largest producers of the world’s cotton supply. In an industry that many economists claimed to have “bottomed out” in recent years, the global demand for cotton has increased while the supply has steadily decreased. In fact, reports indicate that in 2009, worldwide cotton production was the smallest since 2003. Unforeseen variables such as severe weather have contributed to this shortage.
Last year, China, the world’s largest cotton producer, experienced heavy rains in much of its cotton-producing regions, preventing machinery from harvesting the crop. In addition, some of its provinces including Gansu, Shandong, Hebei and Henan were hit with heavy snowfall and frost, further reducing expected yields. According to the Wall Street Journal, Some cotton producers in the country are also withholding supply, waiting for higher pricing to compensate for higher labor and fertilizer costs, up 20 percent in the past year (Jan. 29, 2011). The total amount being withheld could account for as much as nine percent of the world’s cotton supply.
Heavy flooding was also the culprit in Pakistan, ruining 25 to 40 percent of the normal yield. These countries have also signed agreements, enabling China to source much of their supply from Pakistan, promoting further price increases.
While the U.S. is also typically a large cotton producer, supply has been affected by higher government subsidies to produce other consumable goods such as corn and soybeans. While the U.S. exports more than 80 percent of its cotton, experts project that in 2011 many U.S. farmers will resume cotton production, according to a January 2011 report in The Modesto Bee. This will be particularly beneficial in areas such as California where planting had fallen to a new low of 200,000 acres two years ago from 1.6 million acres in 1979. It is anticipated that farmers will grow at least 400,000 acres in the upcoming year. This yield increase is only a drop in the bucket for what will be needed to keep up with current market demands.
More Demand…
Within the past few years, China has experienced unprecedented economic growth which has resulted in lower unemployment. Due to the high demand for qualified labor, cotton factories and mills are forced to pay premium wages for a traditionally low paying workforce—a cost which is passed along to customers. Menswear Magazine reports that wage levels in the critical Pearl River Delta area increased by an average of 17 percent in the first six months of 2010. This influx of workers has also placed a greater demand on the cotton supply due to the increase in uniforms and other recreational apparel such as t-shirts and jeans.
Cotton Incorporated’s “Supply Chain Insights” newsletter also attributes an earlier-than-expected resurgence from the recession in the U.S. as another contributor to increased demand in its June 2010 special edition.
“…Recovery from the recession has largely been stronger and sooner than expected, causing retailers to compete for the manufacturing capacity to replenish their inventories in the face of growing consumer demand.”
The growing gap between supply and demand has resulted in cotton prices reaching their all time high. Some reports show that cotton prices went from 84 cents a pound in July 2010 to a high $1.50/lb. in November. At the beginning of February, the price was around $1.61/lb.
The Oil Impact
Textiles are just one area that will feel an impact from the rising costs of oil. With crude oil barrel costs at a high during the start of 2011, experts have forecasted prices will continue to escalate due to increased demand from developing nations, according to the Washington Times. Because the U.S. imports many of its textiles, the price of oil will further impact product costs due to higher transportation expenses. In addition, because oil is used in many facets of the production process, higher oil costs will also impact direct costs associated with producing goods. Ultimately, this translates into higher costs for the buyers.
The Truth about Polyester
To avoid price increases, some organizations are considering switching to polyester-based products. While this may seem like an easy solution, it is one that will unfortunately have similar cost implications. The rise in cotton prices has created an increase in demand for polyester. Capitalizing on the opportunity, polyester manufacturers have escalated prices by as much as 20 to 25 percent, according to an October 2011 Wall Street Journal report. This increase has also been driven by the rise in oil prices.
“It’s a chain reaction,” said Alper Ensari, an account executive for a major polyester fiber manufacturer.
What It All Means
While experts have conflicting opinions on how much the rise in costs will impact customers, they all agree that it will inevitably result in price increases for end users. Hoteliers can expect to see price increases for many items requiring textiles such as employee apparel programs and guest linens. Due to the uncertainty of market conditions and continued expectation for increased demand throughout emerging markets such as China and India, it’s projected that some of these price increases are here to stay. Increases will also impact the prices for consumer clothing such as jeans, t-shirts, socks and other apparel.
Tips for Offsetting Increases
There are several considerations hoteliers should take into account which could help offset textile related price increases throughout their property. For example, for employees whose apparel program consists of suiting consider using suits that can be laundered at home. This will help avoid dry cleaning expenses. Another option for staff members who work in high soil environments is to utilize a uniform rental program rather than purchasing their apparel. A rental program allows costs to be spread out on a weekly basis rather than incurring substantial up-front costs.
Postponing expenses in other areas of the operation is another way hoteliers can help limit the impact of increases in textile costs. For example it may be necessary to delay a planned capital investment for a particular guest amenity. Simply being knowledgeable of the current global textile environment will help hoteliers plan accordingly and make wise business decisions
Survival of the Fittest
Unfortunately, many smaller suppliers haven’t been able to withstand the fluctuating market prices and have subsequently been forced out of business. This is a trend that is expected to continue as the market faces further uncertainty. By using large financially stable vendors with more purchasing power, hoteliers can ensure the consistency of their product while securing the best pricing available.
The hospitality industry has faced greater adversity over recent years. Having survived much larger threats recently, the hospitality industry will no doubt weather the storm of the current textile environment. However, it is extremely important to prepare the business and evaluate supply chain resources so the overall quality of the guest experience is not affected.
About Brian Bensman
Brian Bensman is a Senior Director of Global Production and Purchasing for Cintas Corporation. He has responsibility for all points of Cintas supplier spend for both direct spend (products brought into Cintas Distribution Network) and in-direct spend (managed through buying agreements for Cintas’ 400 locations nationally). Brian has been with Cintas for 10 years and has a total of 15 years as a Supply Chain professional.
The truth about sick pillows exposed – at last
By: Tony Blanch
If your guests aren’t loving the pillows they sleep on, chances are their overnight stay at your property could be an unfortunate nightmare.
So many properties with varying star ratings seem to provide pillows that easily fail the all important comfort test. And it seems to be the old “fair enough is good enough” attitude that is the real hub of the problem.
Providing well below average or “sick” pillows to guests who need a great nights rest is not a smart way to make guests happy or preferably even delighted.
So what are the most common and notorious problems with “sick” or below average pillows? Here are some of the really obvious ones that your guests will easily identify with :
1/ flat and uninviting pillows
2/ lumpy, tired pillows
3/ stained and soiled pillows
4/ dank pillows
5/ under filled pillows
6/ smelly or musky pillows
7/ prickly feather pillows
8/ germ ridden pillows
Thousands of guest beds nationwide suffer some or most likely all of the above “sick” list in pillows. And like anything that is sick, it needs to be corrected…. and pronto. Failure to do so will result in many dissatisfied guests and a black mark against your property. Attention to detail to the comfort of a guest does not happen by accident. It requires , like all astute business decisions, proper research and a passionate attitude to ensuring the guest is as pampered and delighted as best possible. A delighted guest, corporate or otherwise, will bring to your property vital repeat business, positive word of mouth and a far greater sense of pride to you the owner / manager. It is such a competitive market, that these “little” things will mean very important and big results. Like making the guest feel great after a wonderful nights sleep.
So why are there so many “sick” pillows on so many beds ? The answer is simpler than you may think. Much has to do with why a pillow is virtually “sick” from the very moment it is comes off a mass production line. Here are some of the insider tricks you may not be aware of . Using the cheapest poly fills for example will certainly create a pillow disaster. These sub standard fillings will compress quickly and cannot be lofted again. Once flat, that’s that. The moment these pillow types are being used they are losing their loft. The same types of these poly fills can become lumpy and hard. And typically, they don’t launder well, many getting trashed. Another “trick” is to deliberately under fill pillows with the sole intent to make them dirt cheap for you to purchase. Sounds good so far. A really cheap , bargain basement priced pillow. But what if that very same “cheap” pillow was a beast for a guest to sleep on. Loses its shape and support quickly.. Has no redeeming features whatsoever. Is overdue to be replaced in next to no time. And it’s your money down the drain too. It’s costing your business dearly because your guest is coming in direct contact with this “sick” pillow and you have paid for this “privilege.” And so this hopeless cycle goes on and on and on . This vicious cycle needs to be smashed once and for all.
But wait, there’s more. You may perhaps think feather pillows are the answer. But if this was the case, why have feather pillow sales been in devastating free fall decline at retail shops for the past 10 years or so. It’s very simply because people hate the feel of a prickly feather in their cheek or ear when “resting”. We also know as fact that feathers have a peculiar, unpleasant odour and are more likely to harbour dust mites and allergens. They don’t launder at all well either. Now that’s a “yukky” cocktail to avoid at all costs. Feather pillows are from the dark ages and certainly have no benefits for your guests. Not to mention the poor birds that have been so poorly treated in the whole messy process.
Sounds all doom and gloom doesn’t it ? And it so easily can be. Except for the fact that there are a few outstanding, comfy pillows out there from reputable, passionate businesses who genuinely care as to how a guest sleeps and feels in the morning. They are experts in their field and have designed a top quality pillow to be an asset for a property and a delight to sleep on. Now take careful note of the following. Even highlight the next few sentences. Authentic or legitimate first class pillows will have all of the following key benefits : generously filled to be comfy and supportive with only high performance premium fibres , have a proven track record of guest satisfaction over a number of years with a number of first class properties, have taken the time to thoroughly test their pillows to retain quality for at least 3 or more years guaranteed, will not go flat or lumpy , have been machine wash/ tumble dry tested , are odourless and hygienic and use superior casing fabrics and have been expertly sewn and finished. Here is a vital tip to assist you. Always ask your pillow supplier as to what guarantees are offered on their pillows and what tests have been undertaken for their pillows to perform. And importantly what the guaranteed filling weight is in grams. It is a fact that there is up to a staggering 40% variation in filling weight between authentic premium quality pillows and the “sick” cheap types . Don’t fall for this trap or you will be wasting your money unnecessarily. Any pillow with 600g or less is risky based on my observations over many years. Ideally, a pillow of 900 to 1,000grams of premium filling will offer superior comfort and support Take your time to research some pillow options and ask these key questions just mentioned. Only purchase your all important pillows once you feel confident to do so. If in any doubt, go through the checklist again.
The simple, humble pillow. Get it right, and your guests will most likely be truly delighted and contented with their stay. Continue on with those “sick” pillows from hell, and your guests may never been seen again. Remove that risk out of your business once and for all and it’s blue skies and happy days for all to enjoy.
It might now just be the perfect time to take a very close and honest look at the pillows awaiting your guests at your property . Be brutally frank with your findings. Do your pillows fall more likely in the “sick?” list mentioned above ? If so, start your campaign to rid these pillows from your rooms forever and replace with authentic, quality pillows. It really will be one of the very best decisions you have ever made to content your guests while they enjoy their sleep…..zzzzzz
For more information contact Tony Blanch, Tony has 30 years expertise in textiles and premium bedding design -Email : wayahed@tpg.com.au
Housekeeping and Maintenance of Good Environmental Practices
By: Dr Trevor Thornton
The community is becoming increasingly aware and concerned over issues such as waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, water conservation and resource depletion. As a result many industries and businesses have started to assess how their activities affect the environment. In response to these issues as well as pressure brought by the wider community, many businesses are examining what they do and produce, responding with “greener” products and using “greener” processes.
In September 2008, we used the total quantity of resources that we should have consumed in the full year. This means that we are continuing to use resources at a far quicker rate than we should. In 2008, this occurred a week earlier than in 2007 – how much quicker will we continue to use resources and pollute the planet in 2009?
The question is why? Given the many messages about the need to conserve resources, reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and care for the wider environment, why are we seemingly failing to heed the call for action by each and all of us?
Is it due to the fact that we find it difficult to relate actions and potential outcomes with achieving realistic gains in environmental performance? If this is so, why do other messages about behaviour change work and environmental ones don’t?
Hotels are one sector, like many others that impact on the environment. However, unlike a manufacturing company that can simply change raw materials or processes, hotels can’t. They need to continue to provide the services that guests want.
And this is also where the answer lies. Many interviews with hotel management indicate that there is a reluctance to change services as the guests may not respond favourably. Yet, interviews with the wider community suggest that they are in fact looking for, and are sometimes even willing to pay a little more, services that are better for the environment.
This suggests that hotels apart from the benefits to themselves from reducing environmental impacts, should seriously consider implementing options as guests are starting to question why such options are not being introduced. Quite simply, why when the guest goes to a park there are recycling systems similar to what they have at home, but in the hotel there generally is not.
Someone once said that sustainability is “the slipperiest piece of soap in the shower”. How appropriate for the housekeeping fraternity. But what does it mean. Probably, that no matter what you do, do you ever actually catch the soap and say that you have a sustainable organisation. Being an environmentally responsible organisation such as a hotel is not easy. However though, the rewards are great – not only environmentally, but often also economically.
It is important to have good information and data on what is being disposed of in the waste stream so you can make decisions on what actions are needed to reduce wastes, but also ensure that you continue to provide quality services to your guests. After all, no point in placing an assortment of containers in the guests room for all manner of recyclables if none of them are being generated.
Audits of waste streams from hotels have provided some interesting insights. In a Sydney hotel, the following was found in the general waste stream:
- 43% by volume of the general waste was recyclable materials.
- Of the total waste generated: 47% of cardboard, 89% of glass, approximately 100 toilet rolls that had at least ½ of the paper remaining, 2 dozen tissue boxes that had at least 2/3 remaining, linen equivalent to 7 hotel rooms (all in excellent condition), had been placed in this stream from the housekeeping department.
What this shows amongst other things, is that the housekeeping department is a major contributor to the waste stream and by implementing better systems, there can be greater diversion of materials to recycling – this is a much better approach than in sending them to landfill.
While detailed audits are complex, there are other approaches. Conducting regularly scheduled waste assessments (or visual inspections), of the waste streams as well as actually measuring the total amount generated, strategies can be developed based on this information. Just as importantly, by ensuring staff are aware of what to measure and how, these waste assessments can be conducted regularly for all areas of the hotel, nit just housekeeping.
While the waste assessment will provide relatively accurate data on the types of wastes being generated and how they are being managed, it won’t give detail as to why. For the answer to the “why”, you will need to conduct what is called a “site analysis”.
This is a review of waste management procedures throughout the hotel. It would be expected that the site analysis would identify whether placement of waste containers is satisfactory, are there signs instructing guests/staff where to deposit different types of waste, are there any potential hazards, are there containers for recyclables etc. In short, this process is trying to answer “why are materials going into the waste stream and what systems would ensure that these materials are recycled”.
Of course the preferred approach is in avoiding waste generation in the first instance. If the waste assessment reveals that there is a significant quantity of unread newspapers going into the general waste, don’t just think recycling is the answer. Question why there are so many, how many does the hotel purchase each day, survey over a month to see if you can actually reduce the volume without detracting from guest needs – this is the preferred approach.
As indicated, data guides the decision making process. However, it is important to ensure that careful analysis is undertaken of options to ensure the best one is chosen. In conducting your evaluation of waste minimisation potential, the following questions can be asked:
- what wastes can be reduced at source
- do purchasing policies incorporate waste minimisation principles
- can wastes that cannot be reduced, be recycled
- are the necessary resources for reducing or recycling wastes available
- do employees want to participate
- is management committed
The most promising options should then be subjected to a feasibility study, during which:
- technical viability
- cost effectiveness
- environmental applications
- occupational health and safety requirements
- ease of implementation
- are evaluated and compared with current practices and products.
The analysis should consider the following criteria.
- economic
- technical
- environmental impacts
- occupational health and safety
- legislative/regulatory
- social
It is not sufficient to conduct a superficial analysis of alternatives regarding whether one is cheaper and appears to be better for the environment than the other. Often you may find that once you have factored in waste disposal costs one alternative that may on purchase price seem cheaper actually works out to be more expensive.
Don’t forget about hotel purchasing policies. Buying in bulk may look good, but not is stock goes out of date. What packaging are the products wrapped in – are they recyclable or do they need disposing of in the general waste. The latter is an additional cost the hotel has to pay.
Education of staff is another critical aspect for the development of environmental strategies. In terms of waste minimisation/management a permanent change in the manner in which people approach their work is required so that they consider not only the effective management of waste, but to use items for the overall, long term benefits for the environment and wider community. For example, will their actions contribute to the larger environmental problems, such as the greenhouse effect? Instituting procedures for “waste awareness” and employee training are two possible methods for achieving waste minimisation.
Staff do need to gain appropriate knowledge and skills and evaluate their attitudes to the various work practices that lead to the generation of waste if waste minimisation is to succeed.
Ecological sustainable development recognises that if improvements are to be made by any organisation, then they must also be compatible with business objectives. After all, there can be many environmental strategies implemented, but if they result in a reduction of the business to operate and/or even grow, then it is questionable as to why implement them in the first instance.
Strategies to improve environmental performance must be individual to the organisation and include a proper and detailed process to identify all environmental impacts, analysis of options to reduce those impacts and implementation of the selected options coupled with a staff education program. Having this can make a big difference.
For more information contact Dr. Trevor Thornton, Waste Audit and Consultancy Services on trevor.thornton@deakin.edu.au
Dealing with unsavoury odours
By: Col Nation
I hope you are not intending to read this while eating your lunch. If you are then it might be a good idea to come back to this article a bit later.
Ever hopped into a lift only to be confronted by a stale urine smell? If you haven’t yet, then welcome to your first days in this industry. In my travels with the WoolSafe Organisation and the Daniels Associates doing training and working in the cleaning industry, I have stayed in a wide variety of accommodation. From luxury hotels in the major capital cities to cheap motels in regional Australia. They all have a similar problem. Urine and vomit odours, plus the occasional prawn shells left in a bin under a sink for a few days.
Footballers make headlines by urinating (or worse) in a public areas. This includes hotel corridors or lifts because they couldn’t make it all the way to their rooms after a night of celebrations after a big win. Sozzled salespeople, tipsy teenagers on binge drinking holidays, gastronomically challenged guests, or even just the poor person with an occasional bladder weakness may be guilty of making a deposit in or on your valuable furnishings. Occasionally it is a pampered pet that has been smuggled into a room.
Fresh urine smells are bad enough, but if we do not find it immediately then we can be faced with an even bigger ongoing problem. Vomit can also pose some real odour issues. It is not just odour that is the problem, because staining and fibre damage can also result from extended exposure to the chemicals in urine and vomit.
Consider for a moment the contents of vomit and urine. Urine is the result of burning fats in the body plus the expulsion of liquid wastes that don’t leave the body by other means. Vomit can contain a wonderful mixture of partially digested food from a few hours before, plus the remainder of beverages that have been consumed, plus some stomach acid, bile and of course the carrot chunks from last Wednesday’s dinner.
It could be an excess of alcohol or a dodgy prawn that has caused the vomiting, or it could be an infectious disease or a stomach virus that has been picked up from another country that has upset someone’s digestive system.
By the way how is your lunch going?
Urine and vomit is a fact of life. It’s now on the carpet or the lounge or in the bed. How do we deal with it? Fresh is best they say, and I would tend to agree. The sooner you can remove it the better.
First things first. Think of the safety aspects. In the healthcare industry they have a policy called “Standard Precautions.” This means they treat every patient as if they are infectious. This includes spills of bodily fluids including vomit and urine. Oh, and did I mention before the occasional blood spill. All of these spills can contain pathogenic organisms that can infect the poor cleaner whose job it is to fix the problem.
Using Standard Precautions means that we will protect ourselves from potential infection by wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, namely thick rubber gloves, eye protection, and a face mask to help prevent infectious material entering our own body and making us sick as well. You just never know what is in that spill.
Cleaning staff who deal with this sort of thing should also be immunised against Hepatitis and Tetanus and the flu virus as well is a good idea.
Cleaning and sanitising equipment after use on potentially infected materials is also a good practice to follow to prevent the spread of germs and odours throughout the facility.
So how do we deal with the odour? Once we have dealt with the safety issues, we then need to find the source of the odour. Vomit is usually fairly easy. There is usually plenty of colours to guide you to the spot, especially if they have been drinking coloured drinks such as red wine or brightly coloured cocktails and drinks. By the way, did you know that the artificial colours used in many beverages are acid dyes? These are the very same dyes that are used to dye both wool and nylon carpets. We use these very same dyes to repair bleached carpets.
This can create yet another problem for the cleaner. We might be able to remove the vomit chunks and other gooey components, but the dyes from the drinks will remain. This can be dealt with only by specialist stain removal operators who can de-colour and re-colour carpets. The WoolSafe Organisation may be able to help you locate operators who can help you fix these dye stains and save you having to replace valuable carpet.
Dealing with odour.
As I said before, to treat an odour we first have to locate the source. Urine is not always easy to see. It is sometimes quite clear, although it will still contain the chemistry that can cause odours and stains later on. Urine contains a number of chemicals such as Urea and Uric Acid produced by the body from the breakdown of protein, plus Urobilin (a brown pigment from oxidised bile, some times called Urochrome).
While they are wet or damp, we can simply use a battery operated moisture probe. When it lights up, we have found the spill.
When they are dry, they can be a bit more difficult to find. We can however use an Ultra Violet light to find the uric acid crystals. Darken the room and switch on the UV torch and simply look around for the yellow patches.
A solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide will also help pinpoint the exact location of older urine spots. The Peroxide reacts with chemicals in the urine and creates a white foam. Don’t worry, 3% Hydrogen Peroxide should not harm a wool or nylon carpet. It will actually help dissolve the urine residues which make them easier to extract. It also help to kill bacteria that cause some of the odour. Any residual Hydrogen Peroxide will simply revert to normal water in a few hours and at 3 % is not usually strong enough to cause bleaching of carpet dyes.
Now that you have located the urine you can treat it by applying either a specialised urine treatment and extracting, or use more Hydrogen Peroxide and extracting until it stops foaming. We then apply some Acetic acid (white vinegar) or a specialised carpet acid rinse treatment to ensure the carpet dries to a slightly acid state. This helps reduce the probability of staining.
There are quite a few specialised urine treatments available from a number of chemical suppliers. Don’t buy one that won’t give you the active ingredients. From an OH&S perspective we need to know what safety precautions are required. Some urine treatments use enzymes. These can be quite dangerous if inhaled. Enzymes are produced by living micro-organisms and the less foreign organisms, or their by products, we put in our bodies the better.
I find the Peroxide treatment followed by the acid rinse treatment to be very effective in removing not only the odour, but also the staining, to a degree. This requires some professional skill but is usually fairly effective. If I do have to extend the treatment by heat processes, and it depletes the colour of the carpet, I can simply apply some acid dyes to match the original colour of the carpet.
This is not always effective on older urine spills because of yet another factor. While fresh urine is fairly sterile (unless someone has a bladder infection), and it is slightly acidic most of the time, it will soon pick up bacteria present in the carpet or the air and start to go off. In the process it will oxidise and create alkaline salts which can eventually cause a chemical burn, especially on wool fibres. This is the reason that older urine stains turn a yellowy-orange colour. These are not always fully removable.
The next variable in all of this is volume.
A small pet spill is easy to deal with. Depending on the absorbency of the fibre, the spill may be on the surface of the carpet or lounge. The volume of urine from a drunken sailor can be quite a staggering amount. Spills of this volume will penetrate to the backing of the carpet, through the underlay and may even be absorbing into the flooring below.
Larger spills may require the removal of the carpet and underlay, as well as a sanitising treatment to the wood or concrete flooring, followed by a layer of special sealing compound applied to the floor to prevent re-infecting the carpet and underlay. We would normally replace the underlay and clean and treat the carpet from both sides to ensure thorough removal of urine contamination.
Fortunately, vomit and blood will also respond to similar treatments, although the residual staining may not be removable with normal cleaning procedures and chemicals.
Why don’t we just spray on a deodorant?
Spray deodorants are usually very superficial. They just don’t get down to where they are needed, especially with the larger volumes. Some deodorant sprays are just masking agents. These simply cover the malodour with a stronger, less offensive odour. Over use of a pretty perfumed deodorant can be just as offensive to guests as the urine or vomit smell.
An alternative is Ozone. Ozone generators work well for temporary relief. Ozone is a bit like a gas version of Hydrogen Peroxide. Close up the room and switch on the ozone generator and over the next few days the odour will dissipate. There are two problems here. No one can use the room for a few days as it needs to be closed tightly, and ozone is poisonous. It doesn’t remove the source of the problem so in the next spell of bad weather it will re-moisten from the humidity and will just come back to haunt you.
Sometimes it is just easier to call for some professional help. www.woolsafe.com.au has a search data base for professional carpet cleaners who can help you deal with these problems. Simply click on the map on the front page and then click on the state you are in on the next page. Scroll down the list until you find someone close to you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I’ll let you enjoy the rest of your lunch now.
About Col Nation:
Col Nation is a 30 year veteran in the carpet maintenance industry. He operates ABBsolve Services, a specialty stain removal service on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Colin is also the Director of WoolSafe Australia, the Australasian arm of the worldwide WoolSafe Organisation that tests and certifies chemicals for use on wool carpet and trains and certifies the leading carpet cleaners around the world. As a Woolsafe registered Inspector, Colin helps carpet owners and manufacturers solve many types of issues relating to carpet. With this experience behind him he passes on this information and experience through the Daniels Associates of Australasia a Registered Training Organisation that specialises in the cleaning, healthcare and hospitality industries. Colin can be contacted through office@woolSafe.com.au or colin@danielsassociates.com.au
Bed Bugs; the problem and the solution
By Stephen Doggett, Department of Medical Entomology, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW 2145.
A survey of Australian professional pest managers in 2006 revealed that bed bug numbers had risen by an unprecedented 4,500% since the start of the new millennium. Unfortunately for the commercial accommodation sector, the vast majority of these infestations had occurred within your industry. The big problem is that bed bugs are expensive and these nuisance insects have probably cost the Australian economy well over A$100million during this period. Not only is bed bug control extremely pricey, but these insects bite with the result that guests often suffer considerable physical and mental trauma. In many parts of the world this had lead to an explosion in litigation, with one motel in the US being sued for $20million after a guest was horrendously attacked. Not surprisingly, the motel’s reputation (and balance sheets) will take years to recover.
Fortunately since the survey above was undertaken, bed bug infestations in ustralia have not continued to increase in the exponential fashion that they did between the years 2000 and 2006. The Global Financial Crisis with the downturn in travel and tourism has probably been one contributing factor for this. Bed bugs are largely spread via luggage, and so the higher the guest turnover, the greater the risk of bed bugs. Despite the levelling out of bed bug numbers there has been a major change in patterns of activity over recent years in that infestations have spread into the wider community. Along with the accommodation industries, Doctors’ waiting rooms, hospitals, the transport system, cinema complexes, socially disadvantaged groups and even wheel chairs have not been immune. In other words, where a head lies or a bum sits, bed bugs can be awaiting! Clearly bed bugs have become a societal problem.
The implications of this for the accommodation industry is that there is now a greater reservoir of potential infestations and as the economy bounces back, we may see rates again rising rapidly…time will tell. However bed bugs are still problematic and infestations continue apace, and it is important to be prepared and know how to deal with bed bugs if they make an unwanted appearance, more of this later.
One positive consequence of resurgence, particularly over the last three years, is that research on bed bugs has flourished, particularly in the area of chemical and non-chemical means of control. This period has also seen many management devices coming onto the marketplace including mattress encasements, and a range of traps, monitors and barriers. But do these devices actually work?
There is no doubt that mattress encasements are an effective bed bug management tool and offer several advantages. For an infested bed, encasements can contain the infestation without the need to discard the mattress and the better quality encasements have an inbuilt membrane which bed bugs are unable to bite through. It is considerably cheaper to purchase an encasement than a new mattress! Encasements have no edge beading and so there are few areas for bed bugs to hide compared to the average mattress and ensemble, which make great bed bug motels. Being white, it is much easier to see bed bugs and their signs on an encasement than a mattress. The two better encasements on the market,
which have been scientifically tested and shown to be effective, are the Protect-A-Bed (www.protectabed.com.au) and the mattress Safe (www.thebedprotector.com.au).
Broadly speaking we can define barriers as devices that aim to prevent bed bugs from climbing onto the bed and biting the sleeping victim, whereas traps (and monitors) aim to detect bed bugs and/or to reduce the overall bed bug population. Barriers work on the assumption that the bed has been cleared of any active infestation and the device will then inhibit access onto the bed for any bugs remaining in the room. One barrier, the ‘Climbup Insect Interceptor’ (CII, www.insect-interceptor.com) has been shown to be very effective. This device has several advantages: it is cheap, just a few dollars each; simple technology with little maintenance; and can act as a monitoring tool. However, the CII is quite obvious and almost screams out, “Yes folk, we have bed bugs!”, and is thus unlikely to be used in the commercial accommodation sector.
Bed bug traps are far more diverse in their nature and operation, but all act as monitoring devices mostly via trapping live bed bugs. Most have some sort of a lure to attract the insects, such as heat, carbon dioxide or various other chemicals. Some traps are disposable and only a few dollars each, while others are well over a thousands dollars and require daily replacement of consumables.
A number of traps have attributes that may limit their use either due to their physical size or perceived occupational health and safety issues. Regarding physical limitations, some traps are over 10cm tall, while most beds with casters in motels have a clearance to the floor of around 6-8cm, which makes placement of the trap problematic. The trap can not be placed in an obvious location within a hotel room while in use, as the guest would not want to stay in a facility where there may be a
perceived risk of bed bugs. The hotel certainly does not want to risk their reputation by announcing that they have an infestation. For some hotels whereby the bed frame consists of sheets of timber nailed together, there is no space available at all underneath. In motels with ensembles or solid bed bases, bed bug traps could only be employed while the room is closed during the treatment process.
A number of bed bug traps utilise mains power and power cords may not been seen as being desirable under the bed for risk of fire, or around the room for the tripping risk. Additionally, a few devices have a canister of compressed carbon dioxide and it may be probable that some hotels would not want a high pressure gas cylinder within their rooms. Such devices may even have insurance implications.
Now to the most important question; do bed bug traps work? It is highly probable that all the devices will trap bed bugs to some extent and are likely to assist in the early detection of these insects. How reliable and effective they are however, is presently unknown as to date no traps have been tested and demonstrated efficacious via independent scientific investigation. Thus presently, it is not possible to recommend any of the bed bug traps currently on the market.
Even though bed bug management is clearly the most rapidly evolving area of research for any pest in the world today, the reality is that there is no magical silver bullet on the horizon for bed bug control. So just what is the best way to rid your property of this nuisance pest?
The reality is that most pest managers consider that bed bugs are the most challenging of all insects to eradicate. The reason for this is that the current generation of bed bugs are highly resistance to most of the insecticides used today. This means that treatments must be very thorough and repeated, often on several occasions with heavy infestations. Multiple control methodologies should also be employed encompassing non-chemical means of control such as steam and vacuuming, as well as the use of insecticides. To ensure that ‘best practice’ is
occurring, the ‘Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia’ should be consulted. This is a freely available document from www.bedbug.org.au and aims to promote best practice in the eradication of active bed bug infestations and the management of potential infestations. On this site you will also find pest managers who have received specific training in bed bug control.
The Code of Practice is a living document and is updated regularly in order to maintain relevance and to keep up to date with the latest technological innovations in bed bug management. Since its first inception in 2006, there have been six versions; three drafts that have been open for public comment and three final editions. The 3rd Edition is now available for download and has seen many changes, including:
* The need for Pest Managers to have a Bed Bug Management Plan,
* The need for those in the accommodation industry to have a Pest Management Policy,
* Updated information on control via heat,
* An enhanced section on pest identification,
* What to look for in a mattress encasement,
* Information on bed bug traps and barriers,
* A section on how to choose a Pest Manager for bed bug control,
* High risk factors in bed bug control,
* New information on insecticide efficacy and resistance,
* Bed bugs in rental properties,
* Control on aircraft
* Potential insecticides.
In addition, the whole section on bed bug prevention has been totally revised to take in account the four key phases of a bed bug infestation (i.e. the Introduction, Establishment, Growth and eventual Spread of an infestation).
Unfortunately, with the resurgence of bed bugs, the hospitality industry is seen as a potential cash cow by some less scrupulous companies who are keen to make a fast buck. There all sorts of unsubstantiated reports of products claiming to control bed bugs, when often there is little science (or questionable science) to back up the claims. If there is no scientific data produced by an independent body for a product then it will not be endorsed within the Bed Bug Code of Practice. Thus our advice is, if the product is not in the Code, use it at your own risk!
To compliment the recent release of the 3rd Edition of the Bed Bug Code of Practice and to assist the hospitality industry and other accommodation provides in bed bug management, a ‘Bed Bug Management Policy for Accommodation Providers’ has been released. Presently this policy is a draft and can be downloaded from www.bedbug.org.au.
For more information or comments contact:
Westmead Hospital, PO Box 533, Wentworthville NSW 2145, or email: stephen.doggett@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
Stephen L. Doggett
Senior Hospital Scientist
Department of Medical Entomology, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital,
WESTMEAD NSW 2145, Australia.
Ph: +61 2 9845 7265 Fax: +61 2 9893 8659.
Email: Stephen.Doggett@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au or visit www.medent.usyd.edu.au
The Department of Medical Entomology web site. www.arbovirus.health.nsw.gov.au
How green are your cleaning products?
By Bridget Gardner, Director, Fresh Green Clean
In a regulation-free zone, suppliers need to show leadership
What is a green product?
Green products are defined as “those that have less of an impact on the environment or are less detrimental to human health that traditional equivalents”. So is it illegal to call a product green if it isn’t? Absolutely. Making a false or misleading ‘green’ claim contravenes the Trade Practices Act and is commonly called ‘green washing’. By law a manufacturer must be able to demonstrate exactly how their product reduces risk of harm.
But based on the above definition, with a little creative marketing and a lot of wishful thinking, one could argue that a pH neutral product causes less damage than a corrosive pH2 equivalent, and therefore is ‘green’. And this lack of clarity is causing a great deal of confusion.
The Australian Government sets no regulations for cleaning product design, let alone for green products. It is argued that regulation stifles innovation and that the green rulebook is constantly changing anyway as new problems are discovered. But I’m sure a little more leadership from Canberra would be welcomed by manufacturers and consumers alike.
Standards and ecolables
There are, however, government standards for tests that can determine whether a product (or ingredient) reduces specific environmental or heath problems, such as ready biodegradability. Testing against standards provides third party evidence of low environmental risk. But how many of these standards does a product have to meet in order to call it green? Or put another way, what are the characteristics of a green product?
Ecolables are voluntary standards that have compiled a list of criteria, standards and tests for ‘environmentally preferred products’, such as the Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Standard for Cleaning Products (see inset box). GECA also collaborates with international ecolables such as Green Seal (USA), Blue Angel (Germany) and Environmental Choice New Zealand.
Does that mean that only products certified by an eco label can be called ‘green’? Not necessarily, but it is a more reliable method for the consumer because:
- They do the hard work for us
- A full list of ingredients is required
- All claims must be supported with evidence
- They are comparing apples with apples
An ecolable standard does have limitations:
- It only applies to chemical cleaning products
- No criterion for sustainable production or ingredients
- The ‘in / out’ system does not rate products or encourage innovation
- It is voluntary (but uptake is growing rapidly)
GECA Standard 17:2007 evaluates the following characteristics:
- Fit for purpose and demonstrated performance
- Prohibited and restricted ingredients
- Fragrances and colours
- Readily biodegradability
- VOC limit for solvents
- Labelling and packaging
- Verification of claims: organic, food safe, phosphorus levels, grey water safe
- Product information for safe and sustainable use
- Compliance to EPA and labour laws
Green characteristics
Let’s explore then, the ten most important characteristics of a green product, the health and environmental impacts they reduce, and how to tell if a product complies or not.
1. Ready biodegradability: ‘Biodegradable’ is a meaningless term unless qualified as ‘readily’ (quickly). The Australian standard for Ready Biodegradability is AS4351 (1996). Be aware that the claim may only apply to the detergent (surfactant) component which may only be 5% of the whole product. Further, not all detergents are biodegradable. APEO and NPEs found in some pH neutral and laundry detergents are persistent and toxic to fish. Whole product testing or ecolabel certification will ensure the product can break-down rapidly and completely.
2. Low Volatile Organic Compounds: VOCs found in solvents, sealants, air-fresheners and stain removers can cause indoor air pollution. The acceptable level by Green Star1 is less than 50g of VOCs per litre for floor sealants and 5% w/w by GECA for solvents. The level of VOCs can be determined by a laboratory.
3. No ‘chemicals of concern’: Scientists are concerned that some chemicals may cause harm in very low doses; they may accumulate in the body, cause disease years later, or harm unborn babies. Such substances are often called ‘chemicals of concern’ and are either prohibited or restricted (under 0.1%) from ecolables and some cleaning contract procurement guidelines (lists will vary).
Accordingly, many products claim to be ‘free of’ specific chemicals and/or fragrances. To support this claim, the product should either have ecolable certification, declare a full list of ingredients on the MSDS, or provide a signed statement by the manufacturer on request. (Chemicals in concentrations under the NOHSC Hazardous cut-off level do not have to be listed on the MSDS).
4. Renewable: ‘Natural’, ‘organic’, ‘plant-derived’… as these terms have no legal meaning they can be very misleading. The concept is that as many synthetically derived chemicals are associated with disease, plant-based will be safer. But are they? Firstly not all ‘natural’ ingredients are safe – arsenic anyone? Solvents containing high levels of d-limonene (derived from orange oil) can actually be quite hazardous. Another misleading phrase is ‘organic’, which simply means ‘carbon-based’ – an example being benzene – and very different to ‘certified organic’. Finally, palm oil production (commonly used in detergents) is often responsible for de-forestation.
However, green chemistry is an exciting area of science and innovative products made from renewable materials and sustainable production are increasing. The term ‘renewable’ is defined as ‘materials that must be replenished by natural processes at the same rate they are used’. There is no standard for ‘renewable’ so all these claims may be supported with the same evidence as per point 3.
5. Non-hazardous and non-toxic: Does the MSDS state a product is hazardous or not, according to NOHSC criteria? Simple yes or no. However because it is so easy to define it can easily become a red herring. Is a product containing an ingredient 1% lower than the hazardous cut-off level now safe? If wearing gloves could prevent exposure to a hazardous substance stated to be a skin irritant due to being concentrated, and it does not contain ‘chemicals of concern’, I would argue that it is still may be deemed ‘green’.
‘Non-toxic’ is more difficult to define. Technically, T for Toxic is reserved for VERY toxic, lethal substances. By definition then, 99% of chemical cleaning products sold could be called non-toxic. Toxicity testing (LD50) can be conducted on a range of organisms and impacts: dermal toxicity, rat, daphnia, fish etc. We don’t (fortunately) conduct toxicity tests of humans so these tests are used as an indicator for human health. If you are a chemist you may be able to interpret the results – I can’t. But the fact that a company has voluntarily tested their finished products and released the results means they are supporting their non-toxicity claims and being transparent.
6. No phosphorus: If phosphorus (phosphate) enters freshwater it acts like fertiliser, promoting excessive algae growth that suffocates other aquatic life. This is a bigger issue in the country of origin (e.g. China) due to manufacturing run-off, than where it is used and put down the sewers. However it is still best practice to use detergents with no added phosphorus or low levels, especially where sewage farms are not ocean-based. There are simple and inexpensive phosphorus laboratory tests available to support claims.
7. Chemical-free: True chemical-free methods use water or friction instead of, obviously, chemicals. The benefits are an undisputed elimination of VOCs, ‘chemicals of concern’ and fragrances etc. They can also reduce packaging waste and associated transportation costs. However, they are only ‘green products’ if used and maintained correctly so that a) cleaners do not add traditional chemicals to improve performance and b) they last. Saving money up front buying cheaper brands will be neither financially nor environmentally sustainable long-term.
8. Resource and water minimisation: Chemical, water or packaging minimisation through smarter product design or reuse are also legitimate green innovations. The environmental impact of the huge quantity of cleaning supplies used on an annual basis across Australia must be enormous. Some cleaning equipment suppliers provide ‘calculators’ to support claims of resource savings during use.
9. Recycled content: Other equipment manufacturers have reduced the demand for natural resources by using recycled materials in their design, such as mops, packaging, and paper products. Ensure the content percentage and type of recycled materials is declared on the label.
10. Environmentally sustainable: As with all green initiatives, environmental claims must be supported with third party evidence. Three key methods are:
o Life-cycle analysis (LCA) calculates the environmental impact of a product’s entire ‘life’, from materials harvest to waste. LCA is conducted by independent bodies using recognised metrics and is very expensive. EcoSpecifier (Australia) has recently launched the Green Tag™ tool that uses LCA to rate products, but no cleaning products have yet been rated.
o Eco foot-printing evaluates how much planet (water, soil, energy etc) a product requires to manufacture and/or use.
o Carbon foot-printing measures the carbon a product emits throughout its life. The Carbon Reduction Label, recently launched in Australia by Planet Ark, provides a credible label for products that have had their carbon footprint certified to international standards.
Green or sustainable cleaning is still in its infancy in Australia and the cleaning industry still lacks regulations, guidelines and compliance from bodies such as the GBCA1. Therefore it is up to suppliers to show leadership and users to demand accountability, as many already have. It is always easier to stay ahead of the ball than play catch-up.
Footnotes:
1. Green Star is the environmental building rating system by the Green Building Council Australia (GBCA)
Reprinted with permission from Bridget Gardner and Inclean Magazine (www.incleanmag.com.au)
About Bridget Gardner
Bridget Gardner is director of Fresh Green Clean, a consulting and training company in sustainable cleaning and hygiene. She is considered by many as Australia’s leading independent expert in the field. For more information contact Bridget at bridget@freshgreenclean.com.au or visit www.freshgreenclean.com.au
Housekeeping Management take note: A quality new service to clean hotel curtains!
curtain cleaning in progress
Meike Hofemann-Zhang, our Housekeeping Consultant and Associate in Europe was recently on assignment in Berlin and fortunate enough to be present at a curtain cleaning demonstration by Hoever, an innovative curtain cleaning specialist with a difference. It may not suit every hotel or every fabric, but it impressed our Consultant Ms Hofemann-Zhang, who thought it to be a cost effective alternative for hotels requiring curtain cleaning both in the guest rooms and public areas.
Traditionally, Housekeeping staff have to unhook heavy drapes or curtains, remove the hooks and send the curtains away for an expensive dry washing process. When returned the curtains need to have hooks replaced, and the curtains need to be rehung, this is usually the following day. This whole laborious process often involves a loss of room revenue overnight, high labour costs for the housekeeping staff involved as well as expensive dry cleaning fees.
curtains being cleaned
The new system developed by Hoever in Germany allows heavy drapes and curtains to be cleaned in situ without removing them at all!
The demonstration took place in a hotel room at one of Berlin’s leading 5 Star Hotels. Before starting the washing process, curtains were spot cleaned and the heavy curtains and blackout curtains were separated. A showerhead was then placed between the rail and the curtain and a hose was then connected to the whole system. The curtain, showerhead and hose were wrapped in a purpose-made plastic sleeve which was then submerged into the recovery tank and then connected to a pump.
The washing process starts when the pump is turned on, injecting water and detergent through the showerhead at the top of the curtains creating a rinsing action with the soiled water dropping into the recovery tank.
This washing process only takes 15 to 20 minutes with an additional 5 minutes for the rinsing process. Once completed, the curtains were left to dry in front of the window with flat recovery trays underneath to collect any excess water.
The result was excellent; quick, clean and pleasant smelling curtains with no wrinkles! The guest room could be released to sell to an incoming guest the same day if needed. Very effective!
For more information on the curtain cleaning system at Hoever contact Norbert W. Möller on moeller@hoever.com
or visit www.hoever.com
For more information on Lycette & Associates consulting services contact Liz Lycette on liz@lycetteandassociates.com or visit www.lycetteandassociates.com
workers in action
spot cleaning
washing & drying
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