Being Green with Restrooms?
22
2009
Alan Gettleman and David Leigh
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOBRICK WASHROOM EQUIPMENT AND
KOALA KARE PRODUCTS
Mythology: It costs more to be a responsible corporate "citizen" by purchasing products crafted from sustainable and recycled materials.
Truth: When you're friendly to the environment, you're also friendly to your bottom line. You gain the public relations value, especially important in the "family-friendly" recreation industry, while at the same time reducing your operating costs.
To prove the point, we'll provide some discussion about restroom accessories, toilet partitions and urinal screens, and dressing compartments. You'll see the savings from several perspectives (including lifecycle durability) that reduce repair and replacement, maintenance cost containment, and the use of universal consumables such as soap. And, in some cases, these contribute to LEED certification.
Recycled Stainless Steel
Restroom accessories, such as towel dispensers, waste receptacles, soap dispensers, sanitary vendors and receptacles, mirror frames, toilet tissue and seat cover dispensers, are primarily crafted of stainless steel.
Recycled stainless steel is procured from around the world, and it is not uncommon for these restroom accessories to be 50 percent to 70 percent post-industrial recycled stainless steel.
Universal vs. Proprietary Consumables (e.g., Soap)
Basically, there are two choices in this category:
* Universal, bulk-packaged, non-proprietary liquid and lotion soaps are available at a variety of price points shipped in 1-gallon jugs and dispensed from bulk soap dispensers. Dispenser models include lavatory-mounted and wall or mirror mounted, available in durable, recycled stainless steel and high-impact polyethylene.
* Alternatively, proprietary soap dispensers are available in plastic cartridges that can only be used in the soap company's dispensers. These cartridges are non-biodegradable, require landfill disposal, and lock the operator into long-term purchasing agreements. Another waste factor is the amount of residual soap remaining in the cartridges during change-out replacement cycles.
And, yes, bulk soap costs less than proprietary products. http://www.recmanagement.com/200902gc01.php
What are your thoughts about going green? Are hand-dryers really that much better for the environment than recycled paper towels?
Go Green
I think that going green is very important for Recreation Programs. My interests involve mainly the outdoors, and for me to go green means that I am keeping what I love the way it belongs. I am not a big fan of hand-dryers though. Unless they are new ones, the tend to be a place for bacteria to grow and blow onto peoples hands. We need to be environmentally conscious, but we need to make sure that people are healthy.
- Mike
Think Snow, Ski Fast
Go Green and hand-dryers
I agree with you Mike. Hand-dryers not only blow bacteria onto peoples hands, but research shows that "urine-based particles" from the floor/shoes, from being in the stalls is also being blown into our faces. Not a pleasant thought. Even though urine is actually sterile if you are not sick...... It's grosse!