But access to other designated areas such as pools, health club, elevator, and in-room safes.

Other cellular control systems allow guest to use personal credits cards as room keys. State-of-the art cellular control system can be programmed to issues cards that can limit employee access to rooms by name, time, and date. For example, a section housekeeper card can be programmed to access a groups a room at certain times during the day on a specific days of the week only. The guests personal valuables can be effectively protected by providing a small safe in every guestrooms. Travel checks, cameras or a cards unattended while they is swimming in the pool or having a meal in the dining room. In-room can be operated with keys, cards, or touch-pads, on which guest can punch their own safe-opening codes. While the smallest in- room safes should be able to hold a 35-mm camera or camcorder, business properties need to install briefcase-size or larger units a accommodate portable computers. The housekeeping department is usually in charge in providing babysitting service to guests travelling with children. The job of babysitting should be offered as voluntary service to trusted, reliable, long-tenured housekeeping employees. When outside babysitting is used, the executive housekeeper must make sure that the agency has an impeccable record and that it is bonded.

ENVIROMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND THE HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTEMENT

Since the end of world war II, the population of the world has more than doubled an industrialization has become a widespread phenomenon. This-out-of control growth is altering the earth where we live and the air we breathe to do point of threatening our on health and safety and those of thousand of other living species. Some of the current global environmental problem include the accumulation of wastes and the pollution of air and water due to the dumping of toxic-products. As a result a substantial reduction (in the order of over 80%) in the generation of pollution per unit of economic output is necessary just to keep the current global unhealthy levels. Most scientist today believe that humans must agree to adopt some strategies to begin recovering the sustainability of planet earth. Executive Housekeeper in lodging operations are in a privileged position to help prevent the continuous decay of the global environment.

Recycling Garbage
The amount of trash generated in north America alone stands at 200 million tons per year , with an average waste per person per day of about 3.5 pounds. deposited in landfills, where rain can wash toxic element into soil , and in some cases into the water table. Landfill space to bury waste is becoming scarce. The alternative to burying trash is burning it, but this solution is equally harmful to the environment because of toxic pollutant emissions. To address the solid waste problem , the environmental protection agency (EPA) has identified some possible solutions , such as reducing waste before it is originated , and recycling by-products as raw materials for making others products . Specially, executive housekeepers can minimize the cost associated with hauling garbage to be land filled by strategically placing labeled bins around the property for the disposal of reusable products. This should include guests areas, as many traveler appreciate the idea of recycling waste even when they are away from home. Common solid by-products that can be recycled are

Aluminum cans Tin cans Glass bottles and jars Newspapers Polyethylene plastic Grass clippings, leaves and twigs

Those that are not recyclable include mirror glass, crystal, light bulbs, and non polyethylene plastics. There area some potential savings from recycling. Corrugated card board, for instance, can be sold for over $100 a ton. Local recycling companies will also pay for newspapers and aluminum cans. Such as vinegar, vegetable oil-based soaps, borax, and baking soda, although they are not as convenient as using ready-made cleaning products. Pump dispensers with hand triggers are much safer than aerosols whose gas propellants, when released into the air every time is used, affect the ozone layer.

Green Lodging Facilities Some hotel companies are recognizing the fact that environmental improvement in their establishments may lead to economic benefits and competitive opportunities. By establishing programs aimed at minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption, operating costs are lowered; by advertising to guests the action taken to help keep a clean environment, companies can gain customer loyalty and enhance public image. The housekeeping department can help regain the sustainability of the planet by implementing recycling programs for employees and guests. Some examples include: reusing as many items as possible, for instance, making cleaning rags out of worn towels, giving partially used soaps to local charities, and using ceramic mugs rather than foam cups; purchasing recyclable and biodegradable products; and composting yard debris, such as twigs, dry leaves and grass clippings.

Some of the waste generated in housekeeping can be hazardous to the environment if discarded inappropriately. Hazardous waste includes substances that are poisonous or toxic, such as insecticides, drain cleaners, ilammable liquids, and some cleaning products. In order to keep hazardous products from reaching sensitive environmental sources, their disposal should not be poured into the city sewer, where it could contaminate the citys water-treatment plant, nor into the storm-sewer system, for fear of it seeping into the ground and contaminating the water table. Likewise, toxic waste should not be discarded with the regular trash as it may be incinerated, contaminating the atmosphere. Some common hazardous materials in the housekeeping department are paints, stains, thinners and strippers, wood finishes, and antifreeze and car fluids discarded by guests. Some lodging companies have introduced the concept of environmentally friendly guestroom, often called green rooms, which appeal to the over 40 million green travelers or environmental.