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UNIT 4: ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
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Good Practice Tip
Excessive packaging is neither economical nor environment-suitable. However,
a minimum level of packaging must be maintained to protect goods from
contamination, prevent damage and spoilage, and facilitate transport, storage
and end use. If a reduction in packaging results in increased product damage
and spoilage, the effort is pointless. Food safety, hygiene codes and local
packaging legislation will provide additional guidance on the minimum levels
and types of packaging that need to be maintained.
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Examples of Good Practice
The Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has an active
policy to ‘buy in bulk, recycled and biodegradable’. By working closely with
suppliers, packaging is minimised and crates and pallets are collected and
reused. All paints and varnishes used for redecorating are water-based and low
in VOC content. The collective waste and purchasing management policies have
reduced waste by 28%.
Results of the Taj Group of Hotel’s 3 environment purchasing programme
include:
• Hand-made recycled paper 4 is used for visiting cards, stationary and
menus. Biodegradable and natural ‘old-style’ products are used for
cleaning;
• Packaging is kept to a minimum;
• Newspaper and laundry bags are of organic cotton, made in India;
• Guest slippers are of natural jute, made in India;
• Plastic bags have been replaced with reusable wicker baskets;
• Use of plastic is kept to a minimum.
The purchasing policy has been a central element in the EMS of the Hotel
Inter-Continental, Sydney. Environment sensitivity, energy-efficiency, durability,
price and quality are primary considerations. Suppliers are asked to reduce
packaging, and to keep suggesting ‘greener’ alternatives as they arrive on the
market. They are also asked to respond to the Hotel Supply Questionnaire
about their products and commitment to environment responsibility.
As part of its award-winning EMS, the Sånga Säby Hotel, Study and Conference
Centre, Svartsjö, Sweden, buys exclusively Swedish. Food is purchased
from agricultural co-operatives. Transport distance being an vital element in
purchasing, preference is given to locally grown and manufactured products.
Suppliers are required to enclose the following information with tenders:
• Environment policy;
• Public environment report;
• How raw materials are sourced, transported and used;
• Vehicles and fuels used for transport;
• Types and volumes of packaging and the percentage accepted for
recycling.
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The Taj Group of Hotels
operates over 60 hotels in
India and 8 other countries.
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This paper, a traditional
craft industry in India, is
made from a mixture of
jute, choir and cotton, and
recycled paper.