And, the majority of waste in a hotel is not produced in the rooms, but in the Food and Beverage Department. A large property can generate as much as 8 tons of waste per day. Waste reduction by ecopurchasing can further reduce a hotel's waste stream. With support from EPA Region IV, ecopurchasing was added to the recycling strategies, enhancing the hotel industry's resource conservation programs. If a hotel's waste isn't reduced or recycled, it contributes to the state's environmental problems.
Conserving energy has a positive influence on Florida's economy and environment.
Reducing Florida's waste is an important energy saving tool. The recycling and waste reduction potential of the hospitality industry is phenomenal, and the Florida hospitality industry is providing a leading example for the nation. One hotel in the pilot project saved about 1.25 billion Btu of energy in six months by recycling. This reduction in energy use prevented almost 5000 tons of pollutants and greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. With the 5000 properties and 300,000 guest rooms, this has enormous implications for Florida.