Save Water
It seems that most hotel rooms come with a "save water" card. They request that you conserve water (and avoid other environmentally unfriendly actions) by permitting them to skip changing the bed-sheets. Placing that card on the bed signifies your acceptance of their request.
In similar manner, a notice in the bathroom suggests you indicate your willingness to reuse towels by hanging them on the shower rod.
I'm fine with both requests. After all, the sheets aren't changed daily at home; neither are the towels. If weekly is acceptable in my domicile, it's okay at hotels—at least from a cleanliness standpoint.
Of course that requires disregarding the high price paid for the privilege of staying there. It is arguable that at a couple hundred dollars a night, fresh linens are in order. It should be noted that my concessions save them time and money; ergo I deserve a break on the price.
In considering this, I feel compelled to point out that using water to wash a towel does not actually consume the water — the way going for a drive consumes gasoline. Once the laundry process is complete, the water still exists, albeit in a slightly less clean condition. It can be purified and used again—and again.
The issue of protecting the environment is merely a ruse. Their actual desire is to save time and money, thereby increasing profitability. I'm all for profits, but I don't hide that reality by falsely pretending to care about water.
How do I know they're disingenuous? Quite simply, most hotel rooms waste water: the faucet drips, the drain plug doesn't work, the toilet runs continuously, and the shower has problems: either diverting only a fraction of the water to the showerhead or coming out with such force as to peel your skin off, with no way to tame the flow.
At least one of these problems is seemingly present in every hotel room. Addressing them will save water, too. But they're not done, because that would take time and cost money.
In similar manner, a notice in the bathroom suggests you indicate your willingness to reuse towels by hanging them on the shower rod.
I'm fine with both requests. After all, the sheets aren't changed daily at home; neither are the towels. If weekly is acceptable in my domicile, it's okay at hotels—at least from a cleanliness standpoint.
Of course that requires disregarding the high price paid for the privilege of staying there. It is arguable that at a couple hundred dollars a night, fresh linens are in order. It should be noted that my concessions save them time and money; ergo I deserve a break on the price.
In considering this, I feel compelled to point out that using water to wash a towel does not actually consume the water — the way going for a drive consumes gasoline. Once the laundry process is complete, the water still exists, albeit in a slightly less clean condition. It can be purified and used again—and again.
The issue of protecting the environment is merely a ruse. Their actual desire is to save time and money, thereby increasing profitability. I'm all for profits, but I don't hide that reality by falsely pretending to care about water.
How do I know they're disingenuous? Quite simply, most hotel rooms waste water: the faucet drips, the drain plug doesn't work, the toilet runs continuously, and the shower has problems: either diverting only a fraction of the water to the showerhead or coming out with such force as to peel your skin off, with no way to tame the flow.
At least one of these problems is seemingly present in every hotel room. Addressing them will save water, too. But they're not done, because that would take time and cost money.
Posted by Peter DeHaan at 4/10/2008 3:43 PM 
Categories: Travel, Ecology
Tags: water save the environment Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
Categories: Travel, Ecology
Tags: water save the environment Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
I agree. I thought it was a good idea at first. Having traveled for over 100 days and staying at a hotel ever one of those nights, I had my fair share of hotel experiences. Most were decent, some were excellent, and a few were disappointing. I need to point out that when we were traveling, it was through Europe, Africa, and Asia and therefore when we finally got to our hotel room the fact that it had a bed and running water was the requirements for a happy "home" coming.
However, I did notice that some of the hotels (Europe isn't quite up to the "green" thing yet, at least not the character of hotel we stayed at, namely, cheep) were pursuing this "eco-friendly" manner.
Anyways, the point I was setting out to make is, as a student architect, I have learned many things about buildings, and one is that, as you say, the water used in washing is not consumed. This water can be reused, and, in many "green" buildings, is. This water is referred to as "gray water." (This is just a name, don't think that it would specifically be light black when it is done). But we have been taught that this water can be used for many things in a building, specifically things such as water closet flushes and irrigation. Since the water is already "dirty" these things don't require the potable water of many other items. Sure, there is some inherent cleaning that is required, but one doesn't (or shouldn't) fine a need to drink the water out of the toilet or from the sprinklers and irrigation systems.
Additionally, you point out that the hotels are obviously wasting water despite their claim to the contrary. I agree and would like to point out something else from an architectural standpoint. Long have there been water-saving fixtures for bathrooms and recently they have become increasingly popular. I noticed that many of the hotels I stayed at, despite their "interest in helping the environment" still used the standard toilet and shower. The water-less and waterless (two distinctly different appliances) are not much more expensive and can be used in public facilities quite readily. Yet they are nowhere to be found in these "earth-conscious" hotels.
I think that is enough of a rant for now, but just imagine what it would be like to stay in a place that actually believed in "green" ideas and put them in place.
Reply to this