Purchasing Management: Housekeeping
Monday, June 4, 2007
A well-designed and implemented purchasing practice in hotel housekeeping departments reduces the operational costs and volume of wastes. It is both economically and environmentally sound. Besides the basic room-cleaning crew, a housekeeping department usually also includes linen room and laundry service which have an enormous effect of purchasing activities.
The purchasing manager has a tremendous amount of responsibility not only for purchasing the room-cleaning supplies and laundry items, but also for controlling costs and minimizing the negative impacts being done to the environment. Good purchasing practice will have a long-term benefit for your housekeeping section and entire hotel.
Eco-Purchasing is a procurement strategy that reduces and controls the volume and toxicity of wastes, reduces costs and promotes recycling as well. An Eco-Purchasing program can successfully assist hotel purchasing managers reduce and control the volume and toxicity of wastes generated in housekeeping and reduce the total costs in hotels.
Eco-purchasing management tactics in housekeeping include:
* Purchase:
o Non-toxic inks for reducing hazardous waste and protecting employees
o Cleaning products with less hazardous constituents
o Sheets with a high thread count for longer wear
o Refillable bath soap, shampoo, hair rinse and hand lotion dispensers for guest rooms to eliminate soap pieces and plastic bottles
o Toilet and facial tissues and paper towels made from recycled paper fiber
o Recycled and recyclable housekeeping products
o Less-packaged housekeeping supplies
o Cleaning and laundry products in concentrated form, diluting and pouring into reusable containers for individual use
o Vacuum cleaners with reusable bags
o Housekeeping products made from recycled materials
o Energy-efficient room-cleaning and laundry equipment, such as washers, dryers, and vacuum cleaners
o Good quality and repairable housekeeping products
o In bulk only what and when the housekeeping department really needs
o Locally made products
* Minimize purchasing products containing environmentally harmful materials
* Be aware of the recycling symbol on any housekeeping supplies
* Avoid unnecessary purchasing
* Inform your suppliers about your Eco-Purchasing program
* Use venders or suppliers who take back reusable chemical containers and other waste packaging
* Keep all purchasing records in file
* Communicate and recommend the importance of the effective purchasing program, such as Eco-Purchasing to other hotel managers, employees or other hotels
Labels: Know, Purchasing
