Estimation of weight of solid waste : newspapers in Hong Kong hotels

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the severity of the solid waste problem created by the local hotels, particularly with regard to the volume and total weight of newspapers distributed in hotels. Based on interviews with housekeepers, the study identified two groups of newspapers and proceeded to estimate the weight of the newspapers distributed in hotels using independent variables - the number of occupied room nights, intergroup ratio, average weight of newspapers, and country mix of in-house guests. A total of 52 hotels, representing two thirds (67%) of hotels in Hong Kong, responded to the survey. It was found that the total number of copies and total weight of distributed newspapers in 2002 reached 18 million and 5.6 million kilograms, respectively. Particularly, four-star hotels carried the largest number and the highest weight of newspapers. Suggestions for handling solid waste were recommended based on the findings.