Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008 - (Page 19)

the green Let Green Be Your Guide Through the Recession by Stephen Ashkin automatic floor scrubbing and carpet maintenance equipment, that use electrolyzed water, which eliminates cleaning chemicals altogether. And new floor pads have been introduced that remove floor finish without floor stripping chemicals. These new technologies reduce environmental impacts and save money. • Procedures: Reevaluate the overall cleaning process and implement improved systems. After all, approximately 70 to 80 percent of the budget is related to labor, so instead of just reducing head-count, identify how all the new products, efficiencies, and technologies can come together to meet budget requirements, while also meeting health, performance, appearance—and of course Green requirements. Since change is hard, combining budget reductions with a switch to Green cleaning allows for two things to be accomplished at once. But perhaps, more importantly, switching to Green cleaning at this time gives the occupants something to be positive about. And during a period when we might anticipate an increase in occupant complaints, Green cleaning is one of the best proactive strategies and a true win-win. While it is important to cut costs—especially in times of economic recession, Green cleaning, or any other Green project, is not the place to cut—not if you are seeking customer appreciation and a leadership role in the business community. If you don’t believe my biased opinion, take the following two examples to heart: First, led by driver Brian Vickers, NASCAR is now talking about scene You may call me an optimist, a dreamer, or a “glass half-full” kind of guy, but, yes—I believe a recession is a great time to start a Green cleaning program, or elevate your existing one. What gives us a challenge during these times is that cleaning itself often takes a back-seat to other departments within a building’s budget priorities. During my years of witnessing this first-hand, I have seen the unfortunate results of the condition of a building when cleaning programs are reduced as an effort to curb costs. Obviously, if cleaning is cut back, complaints are sure to follow. As an executive housekeeper, you can reduce unnecessary complaints and make headway in reducing spending by taking advantage of some of these opportunities: • Reevaluate products: Cleaning chemicals, janitorial equipment, toilet tissue, paper hand towels, plastic trash can liners, entry mats, and other cleaning products can be reevaluated to not only reduce costs, but to further reduce the health and environmental impacts. • Product efficiencies: New dispensing equipment can reduce chemical use by 50 percent or more compared to non-portion-controlled dispensing. Switch from multi-fold paper towels to large rolls, which can reduce paper consumption by 30 percent and reduce costs. And improving paper quality can actually reduce consumption, as less product is needed to do the job. In addition to cost reductions, both strategies reduce impacts on the environment. • New technologies: Consider new technologies, such as y a Green movement within their racing genre. Vickers has lobbied for NASCAR to purchase carbon offsets for the negative impacts of their races, and NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston confirms this discussion is on the table. Also, the construction of NASCAR’s new office complex in Charlotte and International Speedway Corp.’s new headquarters in Daytona will follow Green building guidelines. Second, the US Green Building Council has reported a “surge” in LEED applications from gaming and hospitality projects. MGM Mirage’s $10 billion CityCenter, a massive multi-use facility on the Las Vegas Strip, is doing its best to follow LEED guidelines and seems determined to follow their mission of being as eco-friendly as possible while completing this massive project. Also, the first and only LEED for New Construction Version 2.2 resort-casino facility in Nevada will be Boyd Gaming’s $4.8 billion Echelon development at the former site of the Stardust Hotel & Casino. While it may seem the examples of NASCAR and Las Vegas have little to do with your building and your executive housekeeping responsibilities, the same principles can be applied to your building. Giving the customers what they want is the best way to ensure a profit for any business, during a recession or not. I think you should give them all the Green they want. W A 26+-year veteran of the cleaning industry, Stephen P. Ashkin is a tireless advocate for environmentally-preferable cleaning. Learn more at www. ashkingroup.com. May 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 9 http://www.ashkingroup.com http://www.ashkingroup.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008 Contents Executive Corner From Ivory Halls to Four-Star Resorts The Ten-Dollar Test Toward Customer Satisfaction Frugal Housekeeper How Green is Your Laundry Not All Microfiber is Created Equal Feature Article - I.E.H.A. Investigates: Issues in Hotel Housekeeping 2008 Candidate Information IHW Product Information The Green Scene 2008 Convention Information Product Highlights Inside the Industry New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members CEH/REH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008

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