How ahs hospitality is contributing to a reduced carbon footprint with our Housekeeping equipment and processes
Camilla Yang • May 22, 2024
How ahs hospitality is contributing to a reduced carbon footprint with our Housekeeping equipment and processes
We all have a role to play in protecting our environment and reducing our carbon footprint – and all of us at ahs hospitality take this role very seriously. For a number of years now we have partnered with eco-conscious suppliers like Bunzl who have the same passion for protecting the planet, and established processes where we can lower our CO2 emissions and track its environmental impact. In this blog, we are pleased to share with you the progress we have made so far as an outsourced hotel housekeeping company.
Our housekeepers use microfibre cloths:
Our sourcing of microfibre cloths created from repurposed PET bottles not only diverts plastic from landfills but also diminishes approximately 7.5kg of CO2 emissions per cloth. In the past 12 months, we have purchased 24,300 individual microfibre cloths for our housekeepers to clean with, resulting in the saving of 48,600 500ml PET bottles.
Our recycled polyester polo shirts make us look stylish:
Our ahs hospitality polo shirts are made from recycled polyester, making us not only look stylish but feeling good too! The production of this breathable and moisture wicking material uses less CO2 emissions than regular polyester, is more durable, does not fade and is easier to take care of as there is no need for energy-intensive ironing and tumble drying.
We swapped our rubber gloves to something more sustainable:
We have worked closely with Bunzl to provide our housekeepers across all our hotel and accommodation sites with sustainable disposable rubber gloves that significantly reduces waste to landfill. This positive change has made a great difference to our ESG efforts as we continue to transition cleaning supplies to a more sustainable alternative.
When speaking with our Bunzl Account Manager Martin Tofts, he says: “When sustainability is front of mind, you know the customer values the inputs into their operation and the mark it is leaving. It is a pleasure to work with ahs hospitality with this mindset as they’re at the forefront of their industry and leading the way in changing the customer discussion from price to sustainability”.
How we save and report on our CO2 emissions for greater environmental impact:
We have further streamlined our processes to make further savings on our CO2 emissions that have also improved our business efficiencies. This includes:
- Reducing the number of deliveries year to date, in comparison to the same point in time last year – encouraging our Housekeeping Executives to make more mindful housekeeping material replenishment orders.
- Providing environmental reporting to our clients on their scope 3 emissions – taking them on the environmental journey with us.
- Upgrading to electronic invoicing, which removes the need for delivery dockets or paper invoices as this is automated via our Expense System.
- The rollout of our technology solutions provides a strong reduction in paper usage in daily housekeeping practises along with the ability to provide our team members with work flexibility in a trackable and compliant nature.
Taking care of our environment is a shared responsibility:
As part of the RGF Staffing parent company, focus on sustainability is not an aspiration but a target. Together, our commitment is to be carbon neutral throughout our business activities and our entire value chain by 2030. In our recently refurbished head offices in Perth and Sydney, our newly designed modern collaborative workspace features innovative and environmentally friendly solutions such as LED lighting, desk booking systems, and habitat booths where each panel is made from 53 recycled plastic bottles each.
To read more about our ESG commitments and practices, go to our sustainability page here.
Curious to learn more how outsourced hotel housekeeping can contribute to sustainability goals? Read our blog here.
October is Safe Work Month, and at ahs hospitality, it’s our time to pause, reflect, and celebrate what truly keeps our teams strong: safety. This year’s theme, “Be Prepared. Be Safe.”, captures the proactive approach we take to safety every day. As Jay Markland, Safety and Quality General Manager, explains: “Every day, we assess our tasks, identify risks, and put the right steps in place to keep our people safe. These risk assessments help shape our training and procedures, because when we follow our processes, we protect not just ourselves, but each other.” Throughout the month, we’ve focused on a new topic each week, exploring how small, everyday habits can make a big difference and help us create a safer workplace for everyone.
At ahs hospitality, Housekeeping Week is more than a celebration. It is a chance to shine a spotlight on the people who are truly at the heart of hospitality. Across Australia and New Zealand, our housekeeping teams are the ones who make every guest stay special, combining skill, care, and professionalism with a passion that sets them apart.
As spring approaches, businesses across Australia and New Zealand prepare for an influx of travellers, diners, conferences, and special events. This makes spring cleaning more than just a seasonal ritual, it’s a strategic step in ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction, protecting your property’s reputation and staying ahead during the busy season. At ahs hospitality, with over 30 years of experience in housekeeping services, we know what it takes to get rooms, restaurants, and facilities truly guest-ready. That’s why we’ve put together a practical deep-cleaning checklist to help your team prepare for spring.
As temperatures fall, flu season begins to set in, making it more important than ever to stay on top of cleanliness and hygiene. Whether you're managing a bustling hotel, working from a shared office, or keeping your home safe for loved ones, effective cleaning is your first line of defence. At ahs hospitality, we understand the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment all year round. Here’s how you can boost your cleaning routine this flu season across different settings. Hotels: Keeping Guests Safe and Comfortable Your guests may not always see the cleaning in action, but they can feel the results. Sanitise the High-Touch Areas Light switches, lift buttons, and remote controls should be sanitised frequently to reduce the spread of germs. Improve Air Circulation Clean air-conditioning filters and ensure proper airflow. A fresh, well-ventilated room helps reduce airborne flu particles. Support Your Housekeeping Team Equip your staff with PPE and flu-season protocols to keep everyone safe and confident in their role. Stay Protected with a Flu Vaccination At ahs hospitality, we’re committed to keeping our team healthy during flu season. In states where flu vaccinations aren’t already covered, we offer free flu vaccinations to our staff as an added layer of protection.
Winter brings cooler mornings, shorter days, and a few extra challenges for those working in hospitality. At ahs hospitality, our teams continue to deliver exceptional service across hotels and accommodation sites, even when the temperature drops. So how do we stay energised, healthy, and motivated through the colder months? Here’s how our people keep the winter blues at bay while staying focused and connected on the job. Powering Up the Day with Morning Briefings A focused start sets the tone for a productive day. Our teams begin each shift with a daily morning briefing, a dedicated time to align on priorities, review room allocations, discuss any guest feedback, get some stretches in and highlight key reminders for the day ahead. This simple but powerful routine helps create clarity, boost team energy, and ensure everyone is working together toward the same goals right from the start.
At ahs hospitality, the safety and well-being of our people come first. As part of our ongoing commitment to building respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free environments across Australia and New Zealand, we are proud to share our strengthened Sexual Harassment Prevention Plan. This initiative is about more than compliance, it’s about culture. We want every employee to feel safe, supported, and empowered, no matter where they work. That means taking proactive, meaningful steps to identify risk, educate teams, and foster environments built on trust and mutual respect. Why It Matters? Sexual harassment is unlawful and unacceptable under any circumstances. It refers to unreasonable, uninvited, or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that makes someone feel offended, humiliated, or threatened. Importantly, it does not need to be directed at a specific individual or intended to cause harm to be considered harassment. Sexual harassment can occur between any individuals, regardless of gender, and can take place both in and outside the workplace, including on-site, online, or at work-related events. We understand that power imbalances and fear of retaliation can make it difficult for individuals to speak up. That’s why we’re building a workplace culture where reporting is safe, respected, and supported—and where prevention is a shared responsibility. What We’ve Reviewed To strengthen our prevention plan, we began by thoroughly reviewing our existing policies, training, and risk controls to ensure alignment with current laws and best practices. Through internal consultations and risk assessments, we confirmed strong foundational practices already in place, including: A comprehensive Respect at Work policy Equal Employment & Anti-Discrimination policy Anti-Bullying & Victimisation policy Workplace Mental Health policy Health & Safety Commitments Statement Behaviour in the Workplace training Anonymous reporting hotline Regular site risk assessments and inspections
April has arrived, and with it comes school holidays, Easter celebrations, and a well-earned chance to relax. If you're not heading away, why not turn your home into the ultimate staycation spot? At ahs hospitality, we know a thing or two about creating fresh, inviting spaces. Now we're sharing our favourite tips to help you bring that hotel-level luxury into your everyday — because you deserve a little self-care this holiday season.
Last week marked Cultural Diversity Week, and at ahs hospitality, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We're proud to highlight the diverse, inclusive, and people-centred culture that makes our workplace truly exceptional. A Truly Multiculture Team Our team proudly represents 88 different nationalities—a reflection of the global community. Each culture enriches our workplaces with fresh perspectives, diverse talents, and unique experiences, making our service stronger, warmer, and more authentic. Women Powering Our Team Did you know 69% of our housekeeping team are women? We celebrate their invaluable contributions and continuously foster an environment of growth, leadership, and opportunity for all women at ahs hospitality. This International Women’s Day, one of our client hotels celebrated the incredible women within the housekeeping team, showcasing their dedication and excellence.
We get it—between back-to-back meetings and endless emails, keeping your workspace clean often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. But a tidy office not only boosts productivity but also creates a positive impression for clients and employees. At ahs hospitality, we believe a clean workspace leads to sharper minds and happier teams. Ready to refresh your workspace? Here are some easy and practical cleaning tips to help you maintain a clean workspace (and yes, we’ll help you keep it spotless too!).
Housekeeping 2025: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality As we step into 2025, the world of housekeeping is evolving rapidly, driven by new technology, sustainable practices, and innovative workforce solutions. In this blog, we’ll uncover the must-know trends in housekeeping, revealing how they empower businesses to stay ahead in this dynamic landscape. Let’s dive in!
