Promoting Resource Efficiency in Small & Medium size ... - UNEP

their hand, the pressure generated inside forces the tap up and
it automatically closes off the flow after a delay period (1 - 20
seconds, set at the time of installation).
• Install electronic tap with infrared sensor. The sensor is
located on the underside of the tap head. The sensor is
triggered when the user places their hands under the tap head.
The temperature is preset.
Shower:
• Encourage users to take shorter showers (10 minute
maximum).
• Check regularly for leaks.
• Install shower aerator or aerating showerhead. Water savings
of up to 1.5 gpm or 6 litres/min.
• Install push button shower or a pull chain (mechanical timed
flow control).
4.4.4 Cleaning
• Establish clear procedures.
• Promote dry clean-up: dry clean-up means using brooms,
brushes, vacuums, squeegees, scrapers, microfibre rags
and other utensils to clean material before water is used. By
collecting the majority of wastes, residues or contaminants
in a dry form, large volumes of water and wastewater can be
eliminated. The bulk of solid materials can be more efficiently
removed in dry form before water is introduced for secondary
washing.
• Many floor surfaces (i.e., warehouses, offices, automotive
garages, non-critical processing areas, facility support
operations, etc.) do not need to be washed with water. If
necessary, use dry absorbents and sweep or vacuum these
areas. Find and eliminate the source of spills and leaks that
may be the sole reason why water wash-downs are needed.
• Use floor mats, ‘clean-zones’ and other means to reduce the
tracking of waste and dirt residuals throughout a facility.
• Turn off running water when not in use.
• Do not use a hose as a broom.
• Use efficient spray nozzles with automatic shutoffs on the end
of hoses.
• Consider high-pressure washers to clean more quickly and
efficiently.
• Consider pressurized air-assisted spray nozzles to provide
more cleaning force with less water.
• Use flow restrictors in water lines that supply hoses and
pressure washers.
4.4.5 Laundry
• Operate laundry equipment with full loads only.
• Reduce water levels, if possible, for partial loads.
• Replace or modify existing conventional laundry equipment to
reduce water use.
• Replace traditional commercial clothes washers (vertical axis)
with high efficiency washers (horizontal axis), which can
save as much as two-thirds of the energy and water used by
traditional models.
• Install a computer-controlled rinse-water reclamation system.
These systems can save as much as 25% of a wash load’s
water demand by diverting rinse water to a storage tank for
later reuse as wash-water
• Install a wash and rinse water treatment and reclamation
system, except in very rare situations where health codes
prohibit such. By recycling both wash and rinse water, these
systems can reduce a laundry’s water demand by about 50%.
• Consult service personnel and the laundry’s supplier of
chemicals for the washer-extractors to ensure that equipment
is operating at optimal efficiency.
• Avoid excessive back washing of filters or softeners. Back
wash only when necessary.
4.4.6 Canteen
• Install hands-free or foot-activated taps for sinks.
• Pre-soak and wash items in basins instead of under running
water.
• Turn-off continuous flows used for cleaning unless required.
• Eliminate the need to thaw food with water.
• Dishwasher:
– Educate staff about the importance of hand scraping before
loading a dishwasher.
– Run rack dishwashers only when full.
– Try to fill each rack to maximum capacity.
• Reuse rinse water to pre-rinse or wash dishes.
• Use high-efficiency pre-rinse sprayers with an automatic shutoff
valve at the hose head, so water is supplied only when
needed.
• Keep flow rates as close as possible to manufacturer’s
specifications.
• Install advanced rinse nozzles.
• Install ‘electric eye sensors’ to allow water flow only when
dishes are present.
• Install door switches for convenient on/off access.
• Use ’steam doors’ to prevent loss of water due to evaporation.
4.4.7 Garden
• Use heat-resistant, drought tolerant plants in hot climates.
• Do not over-fertilise or over-prune.
• Limit turf (grass) areas.
• Use mulch around groundcover, trees and shrubs.
• Mow regularly and avoid scalping grass (high cut at
approximately 70 millimetres).
• Water only when needed; determine water needs based on
transpiration needs or soil moisture.
• Water in the early morning or late evening to maximise
absorption and minimise evaporation and save as much as
30% of watering demand.
• Water infrequently, but deeply, not every day for a few minutes.
• Use drip irrigation wherever possible.
• Make sure automatic irrigation equipment is operating
properly.
• Inspect system regularly to ensure there are no leaks and
sprinkler heads are not broken.
• Adjust pressures to the manufacturer’s specification for the
equipment use.
• Check that sprinklers water the garden only, not the street or
footpaths.
• Turn off system controller if it has rained or link the system to
the rain gauge.
• Adjust controller times seasonally.
• Use treated wastewater or collected rainwater for irrigation.
4.4.8 Laboratory
• For cleaning and sterilising instruments, equip all stand-alone
steam sterilisers with condensate-tempering systems (this can
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