Here at The International Hotel School we believe in “going green” and doing what we can to make the hospitality industry as environmentally friendly as possible. To that end, we asked our students to produce research projects offering ideas as to how the hospitality industry could be positively impacted by “green” practices. They came up with some fantastic solutions which we’ll look at over the next few weeks. For this week, we’re focussing on “saving the world” with linen and laundry!

Linen

Guests can be offered a variety of options for room linen.

• Give “extended stay” guests the option to have their linen changed  every third night
• Ask guests to hang up clean towels for re-use and leave dirty towels on the floor for collection and washing
• Use traditional wash-line drying for bed linen and towels

Green and economic benefits

• Less laundry, which saves time and money because of less labour, electricity and water use
• Saving on electricity because of reduced tumble drying

Biowashballs

Picture courtesy of www.biowashball.co.za

A Biowashball is a ceramic gadget that goes in your washing machine and cuts out the need for washing powder. It gives a better quality wash and needs only a monthly recharge (some time out in the sun).

Green and economic benefits

• Although stains still need to be treated, there is no need for washing powder, softeners or a rinse cycle
• Washes are cold, (under 50 degrees Celsius) which does away with the need to heat washing water
• Washing water can be used for garden watering
• The Biowashball is 100% recyclable and contains natural pigments
• You’ll have less packaging to dispose of because washing powder and softeners are no longer needed
• Significantly less water and electricity are used

Magnetic Laundry Systems

Laundry balls are put in the washing machine on opposite sides of the agitator and run in a normal cycle along with the laundry. Like the Biowashball they cut out the need for washing powders, softeners and the rinse cycle. Bypassing the rinse cycle saves up to 100 litres of water as well as the electricity needed to heat the water.

Green and economic benefits

• Water and electricity use are decreased
• There are no washing powder and softener costs
• No damage to laundry
• Less harmful chemicals
• Non-polluting, non-toxic, non-irritating

For more info on ways to green the world of hospitality (or your home), check out [download id=”3″] here.