Recycling in Hotels & Motels

7/31/2019 Recycling in Hotels & Motels

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A Guide For Hotel and Motel Recycling Managers

Jo M. Townsend

Energy Extension Agent, IVHotel and Motel Energy Program

Energy Extension Service

University of Florida

Cooperative Extension Service

in cooperation with the

Florida Energy Office, Department of Community AffairsFlorida Department of Environmental Protection

Keep Florida Beautiful

andFlorida Hotel and Motel Association

December, 1993

Copyright, 1993 University of FloridaPrinted on Recycled Paper


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September 1993

To Members of Florida's Hospitality Industry:

Reducing waste is the number one priority in Florida's SolidWaste Management Plan. Conscientious efforts have been made by

all segments of the population to generate less waste. Thebusiness sector stands to gain twofold. First, there will be areduction in disposal costs; and second, there will be aformation of a positive environmental image in the community.Ms. Carol Browner, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency and former Secretary of Florida's Departmentof Environmental Regulation, was quoted as saying, "The uniquething going on in Florida is the growing consciousness thatgood environment is good business."

As one of Florida's largest industries, the Hotel and Motel

Industry can make a significant impact on waste reduction andrecycling. By using its purchasing power, your industry canspur the sale of recycled products.

I would like to acknowledge the Hotel and Motel Industry fortaking the necessary steps toward informing and educating otherswithin their industry of the importance of source reduction and

recycling. Both the Florida Hotel and Motel Industry Recyclingand EcoPurchasing projects and the Florida Hotel and MotelEnergy Management Program are examples of how one of the largerindustries in our state has addressed Florida's environmentalrequirements. One of our central challenges is to protect ournatural resources for tomorrow with sound management practicestoday.

With kind regards, I am

Sincerely,

LAWTON CHILES


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HOSPITALITY SQUARE 200 WEST COLLEGE AVENUEPOST OFFICE BOX 1529 TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32302-1529904-224-2888 WATS 800-476-FHMA FAX 904-222-FHMA

August, 1993

A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO FLORIDA'S LODGING COMMUNITY

Florida's picturesque land, waters and shores are major factors in our state's economicgrowth, especially in tourism which now brings some $38 billion annually to the economy.Protecting the environmental quality of these valued assets is important to all business and

industry sectors, particularly to those who depend on it for their livelihood. Themanagement of waste is one aspect of environmental quality to which the Florida hotel andmotel industry is most sensitive. In support of this effort, the lodging industry has a "jumpstart" in recycling and source reduction.

The Florida Hotel & Motel Association actively supports and is involved in research andeducational program development by the University of Florida to assist our industry inimplementing Recycling and Source Reduction Programs designed specifically for ourindustry and the millions of annual visitors it serves.

Our Hotel/Motel Recycling and EcoPurchasing programs demonstrate our commitment to

environmental stewardship. We challenge all hotel/motel/resort properties in Florida tojoin and continue in this most worthy effort.

ThomasA. WaitsPresident


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I wish to thank the people of the Hotel Industry for their contribution to this recycling

guide. First, I am grateful to the many hotel managers and engineers who provided facilities

and employees for the hotel/motel recycling pilot project. The procedures in this guide

were first developed and tested with these properties and then improved through work done

subsequently with many other hotels.

These hotel General Managers and Engineers were responsible for overseeing their

respective programs: Tom Fultz, General Manager and Octavio Restrepo, Director of

Engineering, Altamonte Springs Hilton and Towers; Keith Showers, Assistant Manager,

Comfort Inn at Lake Buena Vista; John Steele, Director of Engineering, Hilton at Walt

Disney World Village; and Hal Horton, General Manager and Mark Dunham, Chief Engineer,Holiday Inn, Orlando International Airport; Dennis Ward, Director of Engineering Hyatt

Orlando; Jack Hardin, Resident Manager and Bill Smith, Chief Engineer, Twin Towers

Hotel and Convention Center. Project management and coordination with the Central Florida

Hotel and Motel Associationwas by Marilynn MacKinnon and then by Bill Watson, ExecutiveDirectors.

The following recycling industry leaders also provided valuable information and

assistance: Ivan Lawyer, Executive Director and Pat Harris, Regional Director, Florida

Business and Industry Recycling Program; David Baker, Executive Director, Glass Recycling

Program and Suzette Miller, Regional Recycling Manager, Steel Recycling Institute. The

following Recycling Coordinators provided assistance in organizing the program and with

the recycling of telephone books: Jim Becker, Orange County; Sherry Newkirk, Seminole

County and Octavio Serrano, City of Orlando. Materials were transported by Florida Garbage

Service, Industrial Waste Service, Walt Disney World Recycling and processed by Paper

Stock Dealers, Orlando Waste Paper Company, Southeast Recycling Corporation, GriffinIndustries, Robert Wallick Associates, Walt Disney World Recycling and Recycle America

of Orange County.

Recycling Managers of the Florida Pilot Hotel and Motel Recycling Project

L to R: Mark Dunham, Octavio Restepro, Jack Hardin, Keith Shores, John Steele and Dennis Ward

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Leaders in Floridas Hospitality Industry are concerned about the environment and realize

that they must do their part to protect Floridas natural resources. Visitors to our stateexpect to find clean, beautiful beaches and lakes, fish in the waters, shells on the beaches,

birds in the trees and clear bright skies. Floridas hotel and motel industry has been a leader

in resource management, actively participating in energy conservation since the early 1980s.

In 1988, the Florida Legislature passed the Solid Waste Management Act mandating a

statewide recycling goal of 30% by the end of 1994. The hospitality industry responded byjoining the Florida Energy Extension Service to conduct a recycling pilot project with six

hotels in the Orlando area. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the impact of hotel

waste recycling on the amount of waste being disposed in Florida landfills, design systems

to recycle in hotels and motels and develop educational media to assist hotel management

in organizing their recycling programs. Participating hotels were:

Altamonte Springs Hilton & Towers

Comfort Inn at Lake Buena Vista

Hilton at Walt Disney World Village

Holiday Inn International Airport

Hyatt Resort-Orlando

Twin Towers Hotel and Convention Center

A waste audit conducted in the six properties indicated that waste generation in guest

rooms varied from 1/2 to 28 1/2 pounds of waste per day. Other departments in the hotels

also generated large quantities of recyclable materials. During the project, a large conventionproperty generated 7 to 8 1/2 tons of waste per day. The amount of waste was influenced by

the number of occupants per guest room, the type of hotel property and the type of activities

in the hotel. The results of the pilot project indicated that Floridas Hospitality Industry cansave energy, have a positive impact on the environment and save thousands of dollars inwaste hauling and tipping fees at landfills. One hotel in the pilot project saved about 1.24

billion BTU of energy in six months by recycling. This reduction in energy use preventedalmost 5000 tons of pollutants and greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. With

approximately 5,000 hotel and motel properties with 300,000 guest rooms in Florida, savingenergy has enormous implications for the states environment. In addition to these benefits,

hotel managers report that most guests are pleased to see the hotel recycling and are willing

to participate in the hotels recycling program.

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The project was supported by a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental

Protection to the Central Florida Hotel and Motel Association. Co-finding was provided by

the Florida Energy Extension Service (FEES) and Florida Cooperative Extension Service

(FCES) through provisions of project personnel and technical support. This project wasconducted as an integral part of the Florida Hotel and Motel Energy Management Programof the FEES which receives support from the Florida Energy Office, Department of

Community Affairs and the Florida Hotel & Motel Association.

This guide derives from the pilot project, additional years of experience gained from

field implementation of the program co-funded by the Department of Environmental

Protection and suggestions from hotel and motel engineers who have organized recycling

programs.

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Each hotel and motel recycling program must be specifically designed to accommodate

the hotels procedures of operation, hotel activities and structural design. This guide, derived

from the pilot project and two years of additional experience, is designed to accompany a

video recently developed for the recycling program. Worksheets to assist in setting up a

hotel/motel recycling program are included in the appendices of this guide. A complete

educational module to assist hotel management in organizing a hotel recycling program is

available. The Hotel and Motel Recycling Module includes:

EcoPurchasing in Hotels and Motels Module is a companion to the Recycling InHotels and Motels, Module. The EcoPurchasing module provides information to assist

hotel purchasing managers in organizing a source reduction program. This module includes:

Hotel managers who are interested in energy, water and waste management programsmay write the Florida Energy Extension Service Office, University of Florida, P.O. Box

110940, Gainesville, FL. 32611. Self-help educational materials and videos produced by

the Florida Energy Extension Service are available for hotel owners and managers in

organizing and implementing energy management programs that employ recycling and

ecopurchasing. To order materials and videos contact:

Instructional Materials Service

University of FloridaP.0. Box 110540

Gainesville, FL 326 11-0540904-392-0502; Fax: 904-392-9585.

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Recycling is the process by which materials, otherwise destined for disposal, are collected

and used as raw materials for new products. Recycling prevents potentially useful materialsfrom being landfilled or combusted, thus saving energy and natural resources.

There are three steps in recycling:

collecting the recyclable components of solid waste,

processing them into reusable forms,

purchasing and using the goods made with reprocessed materials.

Hotel recycling programs focus on collecting recyclable materials from the hotels wastestream for recycling and purchasing products made from recycled content.

Recycling Symbol

The three arrows of the symbol represent the three stages necessary to recycle materials:collect, remake and reuse. Products made of recycled materials may have the symbol on a

black background displayed on the package or product. Products made of recyclable materials

display the symbol against a white background.

Made of

Recyclable Materials

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Made ofRecycled Materials


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Saving energy has a positive benefit to Floridas environment and recycling is an

important tool in conserving energy. When energy is saved, greenhouse gases and pollutants

such as nitrous and sulfur oxides associated with acid rain are reduced and ash disposal

problems are reduced.

Energy savings associated with commonly recycled materials were calculated, tabulated

and discussed below by H. J. Whiffen, former Energy Specialist at the Florida Energy

Extension Service.

Materials Gallons of KWh equivalent savedGasoline equivalent saved

per ton recycledper ton recycled

NewsprintOffice Paper

Cardboard Boxes

Glass

Plastic

Aluminum Cans

Steel Cans

108108

53

36

42

1,895

90

3,8383,838

1,875

1,289

19,279

64,166

3,193

Over a six-month time period, one property in the pilot project recycled almost 120 tons

of materials with an energy-saving value of over 1.25 billion Btu of energy. It takes 1.25

billion Btu of energy to make 125,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. 125,000 kilowatt-hours

of electricity is the energy consumed by 1,250 100-watt light bulbs burning continuouslyfor almost 42 days.

The consumption of 1.25 billion Btu of energy from coal adds 125 tons of carbon dioxide,

a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This energy consumption also places 3,340 pounds

of sulfur dioxide and 1,400 pounds of nitrous oxides into the atmosphere. Nitrous oxides

and sulfur dioxide contribute to the production of smog and acid rain.

Florida imports most of its energy resources. Energy conservation means that Floridas

economy is more efficient and less dependent on imported, depletable resources. Recycling

does more than save energy and resources; it reduces the pressure on other waste managementstrategies like landfilling and incineration, both of which have perceived and potentially

adverse economic and environmental impacts. At the same time, recycling reduces garbagehauling and tipping fees. The energy, environmental and economic benefits make recycling

a top-priority opportunity for a profit-oriented business.

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Hotel and motel owners, general managers, department managers and employees must

make a commitment to the hotels recycling program if it is to be successful. A successful

recycling program requires time, money and a positive attitude about recycling.

Research and evaluation of the hotels current waste disposal practices are needed beforethe recycling program can be developed. This can be accomplished through an employeeteam or committee who research the hotels waste handling practices. The Recycling Team

can then assist the hotels management in designing a recycling program to reduce the hotels

waste. The employee team approach has proven to be a successful method of addressing

energy management, safety and other programs in hotels. The following section discussesorganizing and implementing a hotel recycling program.

Inform the hotels owners and appropriate corporate managers of the hotels intentto organize a recycling program. Seek their commitment and financial support.

Appoint a Recycling Program Manager. In large hotel properties, a full time RecyclingProgram Manager may be needed.

Establish an accounting system that reflects monthly waste management costs. A

monthly report is needed for tracking waste disposal and recycling information.

Establish a budget for the recycling program. Funds are needed for purchasing

recycling containers and equipment. Additional funds are needed for employee

motivation programs.

Create employee interest in the hotels recycling program. Involve employees in the

initial stages of the program. Employees will take ownership of the program if they

have helped create it. Our program has a chance of succeeding, my program or

your program may not be successful.

Assist the Recycling Team in establishing the hotels

recycling goals. Post the goals on bulletin boards so all

employees are informed.

Meet with the Recycling Team periodically todemonstrate the companys commitment and to monitor

the programs progress.

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Inform the Recycling Program Manager of planned structural renovations and

equipment replacements. These activities may require special arrangements with

haulers and material processors.

Support the Recycling Teams decisions that make the program operate more

successfully. Changing waste disposal procedures may present problems for some

department managers and supervisors.

Incorporate recycling procedures in employee position descriptions. Include recycling

procedures in new employee orientation, employee training programs and staff

meetings.

Inform appropriate people in the hotels corporate structure of the programs progress.

Emphasize the savings in waste disposal costs, the conservation of natural,

nonrenewable resources and pollution prevention.

Inform employees of the programs progress. Place copies of monthly recycling

reports on employee bulletin boards and discuss in departmental staff meetings.

Develop an environmentally green marketing plan for the hotel. Work with the hotels

marketing company to highlight the hotels Recycling and EcoPurchasing programs

in all promotional materials.

Prepare news articles for hospitality journals to publicize the hotels environmental

programs.

The Recycling Program Manager is usually selected by the hotels General

Manager. The Recycling Program Manager needs to have leadership and

communications skills that motivate employees. Knowledge of the hotels wastedisposal practices and contract procedures would be helpful.

Meet monthly with the hotels General Manager to inform him/her of the recycling

programs progress.

Organize the hotels Employee Recycling Team to assist in developing andimplementing the recycling program. For the greatest success, involve employees

from all departments and work shifts. To involve more employees, establish a rotationsystem for Recycling Team members.

Work with management to establish a budget for program organization, equipment

purchases and employee motivational programs.

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Provide leadership to the Employee Recycling Team. Develop a plan of action which

includes meeting dates, activities, employee education, publicity and reports for

management and employees.

Develop a Recycling Team meeting schedule. Weekly meetings will be needed during

the first few weeks of organization the program. Once the program is implemented

and operating successfully, monthly meetings will be sufficient.

Post meeting announcements on employee bulletin boards so all employees are awareof the meetings. List the meeting dates with the hotels meeting planner so it will

appear on the hotels daily events television monitors for the public.

Work with the recycling materials processor to train the Recycling Team in recycling

materials preparation. The degree of preparation will vary with the different

processors.

Develop recycling procedures to complement the operational practices of the

hotel. Train employees in recycling procedures specific for the hotel and theirdepartments.

Research recycling container types and equipment prices before presenting the

information to the Recycling Team and Hotel Management. Forms to assist in

gathering this information are included in Appendix F.

Contact Intermediate Processors and Government Materials Recovery Facilities

for processing information. (See form in the Appendix E)

With the assistance of department managers and employees, design materials

collection and storage systems that complement employee work procedures. Seektheir input in selecting recycling collection containers for work stations in their

departments.

Issue bid invitations to waste haulers and intermediate processors for recycling

materials removal/hauling and processing. (See form in the Appendix E)

Work with the hotels General Manager and Public Information Manager to

prepare news releases for the hospitality industry publications and the media.

Issue bid invitations for purchasing and leasing recycling containers and

equipment.

Develop a monitoring program that addresses employee compliance in the hotels

recycling program. If one employee does not comply with the materials

preparation requirements of the processor, an entire load of materials may be

rejected.

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New programs are more successful when employees receive recognition for their ideas

and efforts. Management must be willing to commit resources and time to developing a

motivational program that creates the feeling that I am a part of a team and am appreciated.

Listed below are a few motivational rewards used by successful Hotel and Motel

Recycling Teams:

- certificate or trophy

- recognition in the hotels newsletter

- letters of appreciation from the hotels management

- dinner or party for the entire staff

- buttons, posters and tee shirts

- recognition for employees recycling ideas that are used.

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The Recycling Team represents employees from all departments and work shifts of the

hotel. Recycling team members may be volunteers, selected by management or elected by

co-workers. Establish a rotation system for recycling team members. Keep a few experienced

members on the team.

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When the recycling team is developing and carrying out the recycling program, it may

be necessary for the team to meet weekly. After the recycling program is in full operation,

monthly meetings will be adequate.

During the first two to three months, focus meeting agendas on organizing the recyclingprogram and training employees. When the recycling program is organized and operating

smoothly, focus meeting agendas on motivational programs and carrying out of employee

ideas and program publicity.

After the recycling program has been in place for five or six months, it is time to increasethe knowledge of recycling Team members and evaluate the services of the recycling

companies and hauler.

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If properly informed of the procedures, most hotel guests are pleased to see a recycling

program in hotels and are willing to participate in the recycling program.

To increase guest involvement in the recycling program, inform guests of the hotels

recycling program upon check-in. Provide them with information as to what their

involvement in the program should be. Recycling information cards are being placed in

guest rooms or given to guests as they check into the hotel. Also, place collection containers

in convenient locations near trash containers throughout the property.

Hotel managers report that most guests are please to see the hotel recycling and are

willing to participate in the hotels program. This awareness allows both the guest and the

hotel to participate in the growing interest in ecotourism. The recycling information on the

sample card below informs the guest that the hotel is recycling and informs them where to

leave their recyclable materials.

The following guest recycling information was developed by the Florida Energy

Extension Service, University of Florida for the Central Florida Hotel and MotelAssociations

Recycling Program. Guest Recycling Information cards are available from the University

of Florida. This card can be customized and printed with the hotels logo. Permission for

use of the Keep Florida Beautiful logo must be received from Keep Florida Beautiful,

Inc., Tallahassee.

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All hotels and motels have sufficient quantities of recyclable materials to justify recycling.

It has been established nationally by hotel/motel recycling programs that 50-65% of a hotels

waste is recyclable. The amount of recyclables generated in hotels/motels depends on the

following variables:

- hotel size and type

- hotel occupancy

- number and size of meal functions

- amount of lounge business

- number and type of conventions

- guest and employee activities

- purchasing practices of the hotel/motel

- number and type of businesses renting spaces in the hotel

Most hotels generate glass, paper, plastic, aluminum and steel in their daily operations.In addition, periodically there are bed linens, uniforms, cooking oils, furniture, televisions,

equipment, batteries, motor oil, paint, light bulbs, construction debris and landscaping waste

to be recycled.

Businesses renting spaces in hotels are often overlooked in recycling programs. The

number and type of businesses renting space in hotels have an impact on the volume of

waste to be disposed of by the hotel. The amount of waste created by a business should be

a consideration by the hotel when negotiating leasing contracts.

Before leasing space, consider the type of waste generated by the business and how they

plan to dispose of it. Cardboard and office paper are common recyclables with the types of

businesses found in hotels. If the tenants business produces hazardous waste, this waste

might be thrown into the hotels waste collection containers making the hotel responsible

for waste disposal problems. For example, a photography operation that develops film will

need to dispose of hazardous materials from the developing process.

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A waste audit identifies the types and approximate quantities of materials for recycling.

The audit helps select the size of containers needed for collecting and storing the recyclable

materials. The information is also helpful in estimating the savings from reduced waste

disposal costs. The amount of waste and recyclables produced in a hotel is affected by

variables that differ every day. An audit only produces information related to the waste and

recyclables generated on the day of the audit. Activities in the hotel such as type of

conventions, number of meals served, hotel occupancy affect the volume of recyclables on

a specific day.

The following Methods A and B are being used to estimate the amount of recyclable

materials being used by recycling professionals:

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Experience has proven that the estimate auditing method is as accurate as the sortingmethod and requires much less work. The variables associated with hotel operations make

a sorting type waste audit accurate for only the day of the audit. No two days will be alike.

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Before a hotel recycling program can be implemented,

a decision must be made about where the recyclable

materials are to be taken for processing. This decision can

make the difference between simply disposing ofrecyclables and receiving money for them. It also

determines the amount of material preparation required for

recycling. This important decision usually involves either

public or private processing facilities.

Research the options before deciding the disposal needs

of the hotels recycling program. The decision should be

made by the hotels management and not by waste haulers,

county or city government or companies who transport

recyclable materials.

Florida Law permits a business to choose where their recyclable materials are taken for

processing and how they are transported. To prevent these problems, recycling should not

be a part of commercial county or city franchising agreements with waste hauling companies.

Recyclable materials are considered commodities produced by the hotel, thus giving the

hotel the right to choose the method of disposal. Ownership of recyclable materials has

become an issue with businesses, recycling companies and local governments. This issue is

called flow control and is a significant matter presenting problems for commercial recycling

programs nationally.

An intermediate processor collects, consolidates, and prepares quantities of

recyclable materials for shipment to manufacturers. Some processing facilities are

owned and operated by mills or manufacturers. Processors offer different levels of

services. Some processors operate buy-back centers where materials are weighed

and payment is made for specific materials. Full service processors accept all

recyclable materials and may offer other services such as container leasing or loan

and materials transportation.

The following questions will help in gathering information when making

decisions for selecting a company to process the hotels recyclable materials. A form

is provided in Appendix F to help in organizing this information.

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Which recyclable materials does the processor accept?

Some processors accept all of the materials being recycled by hotels and motels.

These materials include office paper, newspaper, cardboard, steel, plastic,

aluminum and glass. In contrast, some processors only accept one or two select

materials. For example, an intermediate processor may recycle only aluminum

or office paper. To reduce truck traffic at the property, look for a processor who

accepts all of the recyclable materials.

What are the materials preparation requirements?

The degree of preparation will vary with the materials and with the processors.

Some processors require that materials be clean and sorted and others accept

clean commingled materials.

Does the processor pay the hotel/motel for the materials?

Some processors pay for clean, high quality recyclable materials. Receiving

payment for the materials should not be the motivating force for recycling;

however, if payment is received for the materials, it can help finance the recycling

programs start-up expenses and employee programs.

Ifthe processor pays for recyclable materials, establish how the price is determined

and how often payment is made. Provide the processor with the hotels name

and address so payments are not sent to the hauling company.

Does the processor provide collection and/or storage recycling

containers? Ifyes, are containers provided at no cost? How are old worn

out containers replaced?

Processors may provide free recycling containers with an exclusive agreement

for the materials.

Does the processor provide transportation for the materials? If yes, is

there a charge? What are the frequency and hours of materials pick-up?

There are processors who provide free transportation for materials. In Florida,

this has been a trend with mills and processors of newspaper, office paper,

aluminum and cooking oil. The transportation charges by waste hauling

companies are very competitive.

Are there charges for processing the recyclable materials?

Processors have not charged for processing the materials in the past. As they

invest in expensive equipment some have assessed fees for processing materials.Processors who receive recyclable materials at no cost to them, usually do not

charge for processing the recyclable materials.

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Does the processor provide the hotel with the weight ofrecyclable materials?

Material weights areofvalue in calculating the savings from the hotels recyclingprogram. Some processors estimate weights while others weigh the materials.

Weight receipts can help the hotel in record keeping for recycling materials

payment purposes. It can also be used in reporting and publicizing the hotelsrecycling program accomplishments. Request that the materials weight receipts

be delivered or mailed to you on the same day the materials are received forprocessing.

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A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) accepts commingled recyclable materials for

processing. Most MRFs accept glass, plastic, paper, aluminum and steel materials.

Each operation is different, so contact the local MRF manager for information about

acceptable materials and the preparation required.

MRFs may be owned and operated by private industry or by city or county

governments. In Florida, some MRFs are owned by counties and operated by private

industry. MRFs may not pay for recyclable materials and occasionally there may be

sorting or processing fees. However, some privately owned MRFs pay for recyclables.

Investigate the rules and regulations governing hauling and tipping fees at MRFs in

your county before choosing a processor for the hotels recyclable materials.

Intermediate processors/recycling companies are listed in the yellow pages of

telephone directories. New companies or smaller companies may not be listed in the

yellow pages. Contact the local county or city recycling coordinator for a list of recycling

companies servicing your area and a copy of local recycling rules and regulations at the

County MRF.

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The Central Recycling Center (CRC) is an area where recyclable materials are stored at

the hotel facility until transported to a processor.

Consideration should be given to the location of the CRC. For convenience,

locate it outside the hotel near an employee service exit. Easy access to the container(s)

is needed for vehicles picking up and transporting the materials. The CRC is usually

located outside the hotel because of the amount of space required for containers.

Odors, insects and rodents are also reasons for locating CRCs outside. The hotels

design, space limitations and vehicle access may make it impossible to locate CRCs

conveniently.

Visibility of the CRC is a concern for some hotel management. They are concerned

with the visibility of recycling equipment and stored materials creating an undesirableappearance for the guests. However, guests are expressing interest in preserving the

environment and recycling is one way for the hotel to create a positive environmental

image. Well kept CRCs that are visible to guests create a positive image for the

hotel. Hotels that prohibit CRCs visibility are concealing the area with fences, walls

or landscaping. Local zoning ordinances may regulate the CRC location.

Equipment is needed in the CRC to prepare materials and store them until they

are hauled to the recycling materials processor. Equipment usually found in the CRC

are large storage containers such as a recycling roll-off container, and portable 92-

gallon containers or dumpsters. A baler is needed for cardboard. A large trash

container for disposing of non-recyclables should be placed in the CRC. If a trash

container is not available, non-recyclables may be thrown into recycling containers

or on the ground.

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Recycling Roll-off Containers

Large compartmentalized recycling roll-off

containers are very popular containers for hotel

CRCs. The unit may be compartmentalized for

sorted recyclables or simply one large compartment

for commingled materials. These recycling unitsare covered and have conveniently located sliding

doors. They are available in different sizes but a

word of CAUTION! To reduce the number of

times the container is hauled and/or emptied at

the processor, select a container as large as space permits. If the hotel is paying

for each container pull and processing fees, the savings from recycling is reduced

when containers are pulled too often or half full. Recycling roll-off containers are

available through waste hauling companies and some Intermediate Processors.

Recycling containers may be purchased or leased.

Recycling Dumpsters

Dumpster waste containers are commonly used at

smaller hotel/motel properties for storing waste.

They are now being used for storing specific

recyclable materials such as newspaper, cardboard

and office paper. The dumpster container is not big

enough for large hotels and will require more

frequent emptying, thus increasing the cost ofrecycling.

A recycling dumpster is emptied into a larger container on the back of a truck. The

dumpster is not removed from the hotel. Drivers may pick up materials from several

locations and dump them into the same container before hauling to the processor or

mill. This creates a question as to how the weights are determined. Weights of

recyclable materials in dumpsters are usually estimates. Materials are not weighed

before dumping into the large container on the truck. If the hotel expects payment

for recyclable materials, ask how the weights are determined.

If dumpster containers are used for collection of recyclable and waste materials, the

recycling dumpster needs to be painted a different color and labeled to prevent trash/

waste materials being thrown into the recycling container. Dumpster recyclingcontainers may be provided at no cost or may be leased or purchased from a waste

hauler or intermediate processor.

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Portable Storage Containers

Large 92-gallon portable rolling containers are thethird type ofcontainer used in CRCs for collecting

and storing materials. These containers are

convenient for small hotels/motels that recycle

only a few items such as aluminum cans and of ficepaper. Individual containers have limitations on

transportation and storage capacity. This smaller

container is usually transported by a recycling company or by a hotel vehicle.

Before making a final decision on storage containers for the hotels CRC, compare cost

benefits of container leasing and purchasing. A worksheet is included in Appendix F tohelp in the research ofstorage containers for the CRC.


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The first step in developing the recycling materials flow plan is to review the hotels

floor plan. Locate the storage spaces, hallways, equipment placement and employee traffic

patterns in all departments. From this information, decisions can be made on collection andstorage container placement and on the movement of recyclables through the hotel. The

movement paths should be the ones with the least amount of interference with hotel guests

and employee activities.

Placing Recycling Collection Containers

Involve employees in deciding where the recycling collection containers will be

located in their work areas. For greater employee participation in the recycling

program, locate collection containers in or near work areas where recyclables are

generated. This method is called collecting at the source or point of waste generation.

For example, place a recycling collection container near the can opener in the kitchen.

When cans are opened and emptied they can easily be placed in the appropriate

collection containers.

Hotel design, equipment placement and traffic patterns may prevent the containers

from being placed in convenient locations. If this is the case, place the containers as

close to the work area as possible.

To reduce the labor costs of recycling, handle recycling materials as few times

as possible. However, in offices it is necessary to add an intermediate collection

station. Paper collection should begin at each desk or work station. The full deskcontainers are then emptied into intermediate collection containers that are located

near the work area. At the end ofthe day or when the larger storage containers are

full, they should be emptied at the hotels Central Recycling Center (CRC).

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Once sites for recycling containers have been identified and storage containers

selected, establish a materials flow plan -- routes to move the recyclables to the

CRC. Developing a materials flow plan is a very important step in setting up the

recycling program. This establishes what materials are to be recycled at which

locations, where materials are to be stored, the collection containers to be used,which employees do the tasks and the direction the materials are to be moved through

the property.

By completing materials flow plan worksheets for every department and marking

the directions the materials are moved on a property floor plan, it is easy to identify

and prevent traffic problems with guests and employees. The materials flow plan

should start at the point where the recyclables are generated and continue until the

materials are placed in the container(s) in the CRC. Amaterials flow plan worksheet

is included in Appendix E

After the material collection points have been identified, it is time to choose the

smaller, movable containers where recyclables are first collected and stored. Match

the containers to materials to be collected and to the identified collection and storage

spaces throughout the property. Consider color coding the containers for specific

recyclable materials.

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Most hotel/motel recycling programs are designed to collect and store recyclable materials

until the materials are transported to a processor. However, if storage space is limited or

transportation fees are high, materials may need to be processed at the hotel to minimize the

space required to store them. Materials processing, except for cardboard, is not recommendedin hotel recycling programs.

A baler is the most frequently used recycling processing

equipment in hotel/motel recycling programs. The massive

amount ofcardboard produced in hotel/motel operations quickly

fills recycling roll-offs and dumpsters ifa baler is not used.

In Florida, baled cardboard is purchased by paper mills

and some processors. They pick up clean, baled cardboard at

the hotel and transport it to the mill at no cost to the hotel.

Thus, the hotel receives a waste disposal cost savings andfunds for the materials.

Economically, purchasing a baler is a wise choice for most hotels. Baling cardboard

reduces the number of times the recycling roll-off or recycling dumpster must be emptied.

Recycling baled cardboard provides a quick return on the investment in a baler. The savings

from recycling baled cardboard has paid for balers at hotels throughout the state.


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For a successful hotel recycling program, recycling materials collection and preparation

must become the responsibility of every employee in the hotel. The method of materials

collection and preparation depends on the degree of preparation required by the processor.

A small amount of preparation is required by all processors. It is easier and less time

consuming to prepare the recyclables at the source. As products are used or containers areemptied, they are placed in specific recycling collection containers. Before employees

begin collecting materials and placing them in recycling containers, provide training on

material preparation procedures. Even if the materials go to a MRF, some sorting and

preparation is required. Check with your Processor or MRF as to the degree of preparation

and sorting of recycled materials required before beginning the employee training program.

Request that the processor assist with the initial training for the Employee Recycling Team.

When evaluating how to collect and where to store recyclables, inquire about local

fire codes for storing paper and other materials at Intermediate and Central RecyclingCenters.

There are two ways ofstoring recyclables in hotels. This depends on the requirements

of the processor who is handling the hotels recyclable materials.

Sorted Materials

In a sorted materials recycling program, materialsare sorted by type. Steel, aluminum, plastic, paper

and glass are each stored in separate recyclingcontainers. These materials may be sorted further.

For example, glass is sorted by color into clear,

brown and green.

Commingled Materials

In a commingled recycling program, all the

recyclable materials are stored together. Office

paper is usually an exception. It must be kept cleanand dry, so it is stored separately. The commingled

materials are sorted and processed at a materials

recovery facility.

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The following recycling guidelines provides basic recycling information. Materials

preparation may be slightly different with each processor.

Cardboard is the most important material in a hotel/motel recycling

program.

Cardboard is produced in all departments of the hotel. All departments handle

a large volume of cardboard. Theres so much of it that, proportionately, it is the

largest part of recyclables in a hotels waste stream. Because of its bulk, cardboard

occupies a tremendous amount of space in waste containers and should be

removed from the hotels waste stream and recycled.

Hotels that provide daily newspapers for their guests add several tons to their

waste disposal costs monthly. Newspapers require no preparation if they are not

placed in bags or labeled with sticky labels.

Collect newspapers throughout the property. Place newspaper recycling

containers in dining rooms, pool areas and lobbies for guest participation in newspaper

recycling. Baskets make attractive recycling containers for inside areas. Waterproof

storage containers are needed outside in the CRC.

Involving guests in newspaper recycling reduces employee labor and informsthe guests of the hotels concern with the environment. It also provides a unique

form of advertising for the property, as tourists and others talk about the hotels

recycling program to their friends and business associates.

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Hotels/motels a generate considerable amount of office paper. However, it may

be less than other businesses because of the use of time-saving, non-recyclable self-

carbon forms. Self-carbon forms are used for reservation computers, guest folios,

food and drink inventories, purchase lists, convention planning, housekeeping records,

maintenance request, purchase orders and office memos. Many larger properties are

switching to computers and eliminating the cost of purchasing self carbon forms,

which are not recyclable at most processors.

Each department in the hotel generates recyclable office paper. Most of the

recyclable paper is computer, white ledger, copy paper, letterhead and envelopes.

In-coming mail is another source of recyclable paper. Convention hotels have boxes

of printed brochures and hand-out materials left from convention attendees and

exhibitors. Most ofthese materials can be recycled with office paper. Check with

your processor about accepting convention flyers and boxed materials.

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Glass is primarily generated in the Food and Beverage Department. A small

amount of glass may be generated from service bars in guest rooms. Most of the

glass is generated from beer, wine, liquor and food containers. Some processors

require that glass be sorted by color- clear, brown and green. Processors with

MRFs accept glass that is commingled. The glass is then color sorted by the

processor.

Aluminum and steel cans are abundant in hotels and motels. Soft drink and

juice machines are located throughout most properties. Steel cans are generated

in the kitchens and food preparation areas.

Recycle: Aluminum beverage cans, steel food cans, aerosol cans and paint cans.

Metal pipes, white goods (air conditioning units, refrigeration, etc.) motors,

aluminum window frames and lawn furniture are recyclable but need special

arrangements with processors.

Preparation: Empty and rinse cans to remove food residue. Remove both ends

of can and flatten it to reduce size. Dry empty paint cans. Empty aerosol cans

and dispose of the top.

Items Not Accepted: Pesticide cans, power tools, batteries, silverware flatware,

sterno fuel cans, cans with liquid or food in them and cooking utensils.

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Recyclable plastic is abundent in the hotel. Plastic containers are found in the

Food and Beverage, Housekeeping and Engineering Departments. Guests oftenleave behind plastic bottles in guest rooms. The Society for Plastics Industry (SPI)

developed a standard identification system that identifies different kinds of plastic

resins. This helps plastic processors recover different kinds of plastic materials.

The coding system has a recycling triangle with numbers 1-7 which identifies the

resin. Originally only plastic bottles were coded, however, now most plastic containers

have the recycling symbol on the bottom. Check with your processor as to the type

plastics they will accept.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Code 1, and High Density Polyethylene

(HDPE) Code 2, plastic containers are a high volume item in hotel recycling

programs.

PET is made from a strong, lightweight form of clear polyester material. PET is

used for soft drink bottles, liquor bottles and other food and non-food containers.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Code 2, is used to produce plastic bottles for

household, automotive, personal care, assorted food products and cleaning supplies.

It is used for milk, water and laundry detergent bottles.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Code 3, commonly used for blister packaging.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Code 4, examples include plastic trash bags,

bread and bun wraps and plastic sleeves for cups and lids.

Polypropylene (PP) Code 5, used for packaging such as yogurt containers, shampoobottles and margarine tubs.

Polystyrene (PS) Code 6, plastic is used for making food service containers such as

Styrofoam cups food trays and clamshell packaging. PS products are recyclable;

however, in Florida it is difficult to find a processor who will accept them.

Other, Code 7, includes multi-layer resins. It can include items manufactured using

a combination of the plastics listed above.


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Collect and strain cooking oil and grease in hotel/motel kitchens. Companies that

recycle cooking oil and grease may provide specially designed collection containers

for its storage and will transport it from the hotel.

Refinish and reupholstry quality furniture. Furniture can be sold to other hotels,

employees or donated to charitable causes.

Refinish pool and patio furniture instead of purchasing new furniture.

Carpet and carpet padding are being shredded and made into new carpet. Vacuum

carpet, remove from the floor and store in a dry area.

Repair quality equipment. Recycle old equipment with a metal recycling processor.

Trade-in old equipment when purchasing new equipment. Give old equipment to

vocational schools for teaching repair techniques to students.

Establish a motor oil recycling center in the maintenance department for used oil

from equipment motors. Oil collection centers for public use are located throughout

the state. Askyour oil supplier about setting up an oil recycling program.

Include collection and disposal of construction materials in contracts. Dispose ofconstruction materials separately from the hotels regular waste. Inform contractors

of your recycling program and request that they comply while working on the property.

The Florida Solid Waste Management Law requires that construction debris be

segregated and disposed ofin separate landfill locations, so contractors need separate

waste dumpsters.

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Shred fronds and clippings to make plant bedding material to save water, moderate

soil temperatures, discourage weeds and reduce competition from grass.

Call the local County Cooperative Extension Service for information about landscape

recycling.

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Consumption - the amount of any resource (material or energy) used in a given time.

FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, formerly Departments of

Environmental Regulation and Natural Resources) - the agency charged with the enforcementof all environmental laws and regulations in Florida; the lead agency implementing the

Solid Waste Management Act.

Disposal Cost Savings - economic savings from reduced waste hauling operational expenses

(e.g., labor, storage, containers, balers, transportation and hauling fees, etc.) and avoided

tipping fees.

EcoPurchasing - a source reduction strategy empowering purchasing managers to select

durable and non-durable goods that create the least amount of waste and toxicity.

EcoPurchasing also promotes reuse of products and materials and supports recycling and

resource/energy conservation.

EcoToursim - responsible travel that helps to conserve the environment and sustains the

well-being of the local people.

EPA (United States Environmental protection Agency) - the agency charged with the

enforcement of all federal regulations regardmg air and water pollution, radiation and pesticide

hazard, ecological research, and solid waste disposal. Also known as U.S. EPA.

Hazardous Waste - waste that requires special precaution in its storage, collection,

transportation, use, treatment, or disposal to prevent damage to human health and/or the

environment. Hazardous wastes include, corrosive, explosive, flammable, ignitable,

radioactive, reactive, toxic, volatile and pathological materials.

Landfill - see sanitary landfill.

Nonrecyclable - not capable of being recycled or used again.

Packaging - the materials used to wrap, contain and protect products use or layer.

Recyclables - materials that still have useful physical or chemical properties after serving

their original purposes and that can be reused or remanufactured into additional products.

Recycled Content - that part of a product which has been produced using preconsumer or

postconsumer recycled material; measured by percentage.

Recycling - the process by which materials otherwise destined for disposal are collected,

reprocessed or remanufactured and reused.

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Reuse - the use of a product more than once in its same form for the same or similar purpose.

Sanitary Landfill - a land waste disposal site that is located to minimize water pollution

from runoffand leaching. Waste is spread in thin layers, compacted, and covered with a

fresh layer of soil each day to minimize pest, aesthetic, disease, air pollution and water

pollution problems.

Solid Waste Management - the systematic administration of activities which provide for

the collection, source separation, storage, transportation, transfer, processing, treatment and

disposal of solid waste.

Tipping Fee - a fee, usually dollars per ton, for the unloading or dumping of waste at a

landfill, transfer station, recycling center or waste-to-energy facility. Also called disposal

fee or service fee.

Waste - anything that is discarded, useless, or unwanted; opposite of conserve, as in to

waste.

Waste Reduction - reducing the amount or type of waste generated; sometimes used

synonymously with source reduction.

Waste Stream - The total flow of solid waste from homes, businesses, institutions, and

manufacturing plants that must be recycled, burned, or disposed ofin landfills or any segment

thereof such as the commercial waste stream.

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UNITED MARKETING, INC.11326 Wiles Road

Florida Expo CenterCoral Springs, FL 33076

VITAL VISIONS CORPORATION

Route 1,Box 95Freeport, FL 32439

WINDSOR BARREL WORKSPO Box 47

Kempton, PA 19529

ZARN, INC.PO Box 1350

Reidsville, NC 27320

EQUIPMENT

AMERICAN WASTE REDUCTION CO.

8505 Silver Star RoadOrlando. FL 32818

CHEM-TAINER INDUSTRIES, INC.361 Neptune Ave.N. Babylon, NY 11704

FLORIDA EQUIPMEN & MACHINERY4265 US Highway 98 North Ste 103PO Box 91115

Lakeland, FL 33804

GLASS CYCLE SYSTEMS, INC.

5452 West Crenshaw St Ste 5Tampa, FL 33634

GRAB-IT ENTERPRIZESP. O. Box 703Jackson, AL 36545

INTERNATIONAL BALER

P. 0.Box 6922Jacksonville, FL 32236

J D L COMPANY

5000 San Jose Blvd. Ste 143

Jacksonville, FL 32207

J V MANUFACTURING, INC.

701 Highway 68B

PO Box 229Springdale, AK 72765-0229

JIM HARDEE EQUIPMENT COMPANY5801 E. BroadwayTampa, FL 33675

LOAD KING MANUFACTURING CO.PO Box 40606Jacksonville, FL 32203

ORANGE KRUSHER, INC.PO Drawer 580156

Orlando, FL 32856

PHILADELPHIA TRAMRAIL COMPANY2207 E. Ontario St.

Philadelphia, PA 19134

PRODEVA, INC.Drawer R

Jackson Center, OH 45334

R J WILLIAMS COMPANY, INC.P. 0.Box 663

Lutz, FL 33549

RECYCLING ROUNDUP, INC.

Papillion, NE 68046505 W. 6th St.

THOLE ENTERPRISES1400 Shadwell CircleLake Mary, FL 32746

PRINTER RIBBONS & CARTRIDGES

FLORIDA RIBBON & RECYCLING COMPANY2306 58th St E.

Palmetto, FL 34221

See EcoPuchasingIn Hotels and Motels for listsofproducts made from recycled materials.

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Aluminum RecyclingAssociation, 1000 16th StreetNW, Suite 603,Washington, DC 20036,202-785-0951

American Plastics Council, 2840 Mt. Wilkinson Parkway, Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30339,

404-80 1-9004

Council fo r Textile Recycling, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD 208 14,301-656-1077

Florida Business and Indust ry Recycling Program (BIRP), 7200 C Aloma Avenue, Winter

Park, FL 32792,407-678-4200, 1-800-FLA-BIRP (hotline)

Florida Cente r For Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, University ofFlorida,

2207 NW 13th Street, Suite D, Gainesville, FL 32609,904-392-6264

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), 2600 Blair Stone Road,Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400,904-488-0300

Florida Energy Extension Service, University ofFlorida, PO Box 110940, Gainesville,

FL 32611,904-392-1511

Florida Hotel an d Motel Association, 200 W. College Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301,

904-224-2888, 1-800-476-3462

Keep Florida Beautiful, 325 John Knox Road, Building M, Suite 240, Tallahassee, FL32303,904-385-1528, 1-800-828-9338;Fax: 904-385-4020

National Recycling Coalition, Inc., 1101 30th Street NW, Suite 305, Washington, DC20007,202-625-6406; Fax: 202-625-6409

Southeast Glass Recycling Program, P.O. Box 595 12, Clearwater, FL 34618,

813-799-4917

Steel Recycling Insti tute, Southeastern Regional Office, 4900 Bayou Boulevard, Suite110 C, Pensacola, FL 32503,904-479-7208

TREEO, Center f or Training Research an d Education for Environmental Occupations,University of Florida, 3900 SW 63rd Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32608-3848, 904-392-

9570

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Office of Solid Waste, 401 M StreetSW, Washington, D.C. 20006. EPA Procurement Hotline: 7 13-941-4452

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Volume Data

What type of waste disposal container is in use?

How many refuse containers are being used?

1. Determine the present volume of waste

Number of pickups per month ?

Estimate the number of tons per month from waste volume.

(Calculate this by multiplying the waste capacity of the

container by a factor that corresponds to the number of

tons that container typically holds.)

2. Estimate the potential volume of recyclable materials.

Estimate percentage of extractable recyclables %

Estimate the tons/month tons of (material 1) =







Estimate the tons/month tons of material 6 =

Total tons of recyclable materials

3. Calculate the waste volume left after recycling

Estimate the number of tons/month left after recycling. (line 2 - line 1)

How many pickups/month remain?

(This will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of material recycled.)

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4. WasteDisposal Cost

Determine the present monthly waste removal costs.

(Ifno invoice is available, call the waste hauling company for copies.

Pickup fee per ton /per load

Pickup fee x the number of pickups per month (line 1)

Tipping fee per ton/per load

Tipping fee times x the estimated number of tons per month

Add up the total current monthly waste disposal costs.

Monthly container rental or lease fees?

5. Determine the waste removal cost/ton (line 4 divided by 1)

6. Estimate your waste removal costs after recycling.

Pickup charges $ x number of pickups =

=Tipping fee $ x number of tons

Monthly Equipment rental or lease fee

Add total current monthly disposal costs after recycling.

7. Monthly waste disposal costs avoided (Line 4 - Line 6 )(Calculate the savings by subtracting the disposal costs after recycling

from the total current waste disposal costs)

8. Annual avoided waste disposal costs (line 7 x line 12)

9. Calculatetherecyclingprogramstart-upinvestments.

Recyclingcontainers,boxes,orcarts

Recyclingequipment,balers,compactors

Costoftrainingprogramorinternalpublicity

Other

Total start-up investment for recycling program

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10. Estimated revenues from recyclables

From your estimate of the volume of recyclable materials (line 2)

tons of (material 1) x $ /ton =

tons of (material 2) x $ /ton =

(Use a conservative market price for these recyclables.)

Total monthly revenues from sale ofrecyclables

Total annual revenues from sale of recyclables

(Monthly revenues x 12 to get annual revenues)

11. Summary of Savings

Add annual avoided waste disposal costs (line 8)

Add total annual revenues from sale ofrecyclables

Total annual savings

Total 5 year savings (annual savings x five)

Total start-up investment for recycling program (- line #9)

12. Net estimated five year profit on recycling program

Notes:

Adapted from How Your Business can Profit from a Recycling Program Strathman, David and Drake, Barbara.

Provided by the Public Utilities Department, City of Jacksonville, Florida 1991.

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The following information will be helpful in estimating the weights of recyclable

materials. The Florida Glass Recycling Program provided a more detailed list. Glass makes

up a large portion of the recyclable materials in a hotel recycling program because of loungesand bars.

Aluminum Beverage Containers

Approximately 27 cans = one pound, 24 cans per case

Number of cans per month + 27 = pounds per month

Uncrushed 1080 cans per cubic yard, 1 cubic yard = 40 pounds

Newspaper

Neatly stacked1 cubic yard = 600 pounds

one 12 stack of bundled newspaper = 35 pounds

Steel/Ferrous Cans

4 #10 cans per case

1 #10 can weighs about 3/4 of a pound

185 #10 cans = 1 cubic yard

Food Waste

Solid fats and liquid oils

412.5 pounds = 55 gallon drum

4.8 drums = 1 ton

Used Motor oil

7 pounds = 1 gallon

285.7 gallons = 1 ton

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How much recyclable glass doesyour business generate?
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Printed on Recycled Paper 55 Florida Energy Extension Service 12/93


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