Chapter Twelve: Environmental Management and Sustainability

Discussion of Chapter Content

Managers of housekeeping and engineering departments are in the privileged position of being
able to make an impact on planet sustainability by reducing energy use, recycling materials, and
disposing properly of harmful substances. In this chapter, we discuss the need for environmental
awareness as well as specific ways in which lodging properties can be made eco-friendly,
thereby helping the earth, attracting concerned guests, and, ultimately, improving the bottom
line. The chapter also includes information on green lodging certification.
Chapter Objectives
Learn about environmental problems.
Describe how to implement a recycling program in lodging operations.
Understand the need to dispose of hazardous materials safely.
Explain what to do to improve indoor air quality.
Discuss how to attract environmentally-conscious travelers.
Debate the issue of sustainability in the lodging industry and learn about green certification
procedures.
Chapter Outline
Environmental Concerns
Recycling
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Indoor Air Quality
Green Lodging Facilities
Green Lodging Certification
Sustainability
Key Terms
carbon dioxide chlorofluorocarbons Energy Star EPA Green Globe - Green
Lodging Program (State) green room Green Seal high-retention vacuum cleaner LEED
ozone layer source-reduced product Sustainability Stewardship of place USGBC
Discussion and Review Questions
1. Describe two ways to address the nations solid waste problem as identified by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
2. Explain the advantages of using source-reduced products regarding product waste.
3. Why shouldnt toxic products such as paint thinners be discarded with the general garbage
generated in the housekeeping department?
4. What do you understand green lodging facilities to be?
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5. Which chemicals, commonly used in housekeeping departments, may be potential air

pollutants?
6. What are the major problems challenging the sustainability of the planet?
7. What are three initiatives to preserve the environment that lodging properties can take?
8. Give one environmental and one financial reason why hotels and resort should obtain green
certification.
9. What do you understand by stewardship of place?
10. How could a lodging property contribute to reach carbon neutrality?
Outside Resources and Projects
1. Invite an environmental science instructor to address the class on global issues regarding the
sustainability of the planet and how hospitality managers can help save the earth.
2. Organize a visit by the class to a lodging operation that recycles and have the person in
charge of the recycling program explain to students the strategy for the collection of
materials from the different departments.
3. Have students conduct an Internet search to gather information about hotel companies that
are committed to recycling and energy saving programs (for example, Marriott).
Minicases
1. You have been hired by a large lodging property in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, as assistant
to the general manager. The company has decided to market the hotel as an eco-friendly
property and you have been asked to prepare a draft detailing the initiatives you recommend
for this purpose. Do so, including actions to be taken by both the housekeeping and
engineering departments.
2. Lilly Sachse is the general manager of a successful resort in North Carolina. As operator, she
has managed to control costs and maintain a healthy bottom line for the last five years. Her
continued excellent performance has resulted in substantial annual bonuses. Last month,
Lilly had a meeting with a group of concerned local citizens about the fertilizer that the resort
was using on the 18-hole golf course located near the citys water reservoir. According to the
group, the fertilizer used contained a strong component that could contaminate the reservoir
if the chemicals reached the underground water table. They suggested that the resort use a
biodegradable product containing no noxious chemicals.
After consultation with the companys lawyer, Lilly found out that there are no federal or
state regulations compelling golf courses to use biodegradable fertilizers. Contamination test
results for the potable water supply were negative. Nevertheless, Lilly wanted to comply with
the request made by the concerned citizens and she asked the resorts purchasing agent to
inquire about buying an environmentally friendly product. She was notified that the fertilizer
would cost twice as much as the non-biodegradable chemical.
Fearing that her annual bonus would be substantially smaller by increasing the cost of
next years budget and reducing the overall income of the resort, Lilly decides to keep using
the current fertilizer.
Was Ms. Sachses decision illegal? Was it unethical? How would you have acted? Why?
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3. Write a prcis combining the following topics:

What is sustainability and what has motivated society to pay attention to it?
What do you think has led companies to integrate sustainability into their business
strategies?
What can companies do in order to build a sustainable business strategy?
Chapter Twelve Quiz Questions
True/False (Circle the correct answer. Questions that are partially false should be
marked False).
1. T F
The ozone layer provides protection from the suns ultraviolet radiation.
2. T F
The use of chlorofluorocarbons on earth has no effect on the ozone layer.
3. T F
Noxious substances from discarded prescription drugs can infiltrate the drinking
water supply.
4. T F
Common by-products that can be easily recycled in hotels are aluminum cans and
discarded mirrors.
5. T F
Some green cleaners that can be used in lodging properties are borax, baking soda
and vinegar.
6. T F
Source-reduction programs help minimize waste.
7. T F
Chemical cleaning compounds can cause indoor air pollution in buildings.
8. T F
An increasing number of travelers seek out hotels that are environmentally
friendly.
9. T F
Green Seal is a for-profit organization involved in large scale recycling of byproducts.
10. T F
In lodging properties, waste generation can be as high as 30 pounds per room per
day.
Multiple Choice
(Circle one answer that best describes the statement)
1. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program
environmental and financial benefits include:
a. reduced harmful greenhouse emissions.
b. healthier and safer environment for occupants.
c. conservation of energy and water.
d. reduced waste sent to landfills.
e. All of the above.
2. The population of the world has recently reached:
a. five billion people.
b. six billion people.
c. ten billion people.
d. seven billion people.
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e. four billion people.

3. Energy Star is a joint program of:
a. the American Hotel/Motel Association and EPA.
b. EPA and the US Department of Energy.
c. The US Department of Energy and the American Hotel/Motel Association.
d. LEED and Green Seal.
e. Green Globe and LEED.
4. The concept of green rooms may include environmentally-friendly amenities such as:
a. biodegradable soaps.
b. recyclable soap bar wrappings.
c. warm milk and cookies.
d. fluffy bath towels.
e. a and b
5. The following products are air pollutants except for:
a. borax.
b. pesticides.
c. products containing formaldehyde.
d. drain openers.
e. None of the above.
6. Some noxious products commonly found in housekeeping and engineering departments are:
a. paint.
b. floor surface strippers.
c. wood finishes.
d. motor oil.
e. All of the above.
7. The following product components should be considered hazardous except for:
a. solvents.
b. all-purpose cleaners.
c. liquids with a pH close to 1.
d. pesticides.
e. car antifreeze.
8. The following are common by-products that can be recycled, except for:
a. grass clippings.
b. glass bottles.
c. light bulbs.
d. batteries.
e. c and d
9. High-retention vacuum cleaners should hold particles large than:
a. 1.0 microns.
b. 5.0 microns.
c. 0.50 microns.
d. 10.0 microns.
e. 0.1 microns.
10. Estimated percentage of students who have enjoyed having this book as course reference:
a. 100 %.
b. 99 %.
c. 98 %.
d. 97 %.
e. It cannot be ascertained.

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