Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 5PM Eastern.
Paper Towel Supplies Tips
The Benefits of Touch-free Paper Towel Dispensers
Touch-free or "hands-free" paper towel dispensers are a great idea. In fact, an increasing number of commercial, private and public buildings are installing automatic faucets, flushers, soap and a paper towel dispenser, cleaning systems, and other touch-free devices in their restrooms.
That is because of the concern over germs on restroom surfaces. In addition to sanitation issues, other factors are contributing to this trend. Evidence exits that touch-free faucets and flushers can effectively reduce possible cross-contamination. They also save water. There was once a concern that touch-free technology was not reliable. However, newer products on the market are proving to be dependable and durable. Newer products are smaller, use fewer parts, are easier to install, and are more aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, restaurant owners are realizing that touch-free technology is actually cheaper to operate and requires less maintenance.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
ReStockit.com Tip: Encouraging Clean Hands
Place an extra paper towel dispenser and hand sanitizer dispenser in all (or most) waitperson stations. Over the course of a busy shift, your food servers will have to handle a lot of plates and glasses that others will be using. Encouraging hand cleanliness by providing easy access to sanitizing alternatives when hand washing is not always available or convenient.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Avoiding the "Top Five"
Keeping public restrooms clean means paying attention to what's known in the cleaning industry as the "Top Five." These are the five most typical restroom complaints and the most common cleaning challenges. They are:
1) Cross-contamination hazards
2) Soap and towel dispensers that don't work
3) Unsightly garbage
4) Soiled or stained surfaces
5) Persistent odors
The International Sanitary Supply Association's (ISSA) Web site offers a 12-step set of general guidelines entitled "How to Properly Clean a Restroom." It will give guidelines for solutions to the "Top Five" that include cleaning countertops by starting at the backsplash and working toward the drain and ensuring paper towels are always restocked.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
ReStockit.com Tip: C-fold Towels: A Great Paper Staple
C-fold Paper Towels are an economical choice for hand drying throughout your restaurant. They're given this name because when unfolded, they take the shape of a straight-edged "C." Many are "thru-embossed," which means tiny dents are punched into them, which assists in absorbency. This, in turn, reduces the need to use more than one or two paper towels. C-fold paper towel dispensers are wall-mounted and readily available. (They often accommodate other styles of towels as well.) If your eatery uses a lot of towels, you may consider this option above paper towel rolls, which can be less conveniently dispensed and more expensive.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Choosing Cloth Over Paper Napkins
Research has found that restaurant patrons prefer cloth over paper napkins.
According to studies done by the National Restaurant Association and market research reports, the average restaurant customer uses 2.5 paper napkins per meal at an average of 2¢ per napkin. Per year, 461,600 tons of paper napkins are disposed. That's 2.6 million cubic yards or 50 football fields 30 feet deep. If cloth replaced paper, landfill consumption would be reduced by 2.5 million cubic yards.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
ReStockit.com Tip: Paper Towel Trends
Paper towel concerns in public restrooms center around control and capacity. Many businesses are turning to paper towel dispensers that only dispense a single paper towel or a controlled length of towels at a time to cut down on paper overuse and waste. Businesses are also stopping use of folded towels for the same reason - customers take too many at a time.
Restaurants are also doing away with small dispensers and opting for dispensers that hold as much paper as possible. Jumbo dispensers no longer have to look industrial as manufacturers work to create stylish designs. And restaurant owners can reduce the labor needed to check and refill them.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Desirable Characteristics in Tissue
Examples of different types of tissue papers include sanitary grades such as toilet, facial tissue, napkin, towels, wipes, and special sanitary papers. Desirable characteristics in these types of tissue papers are softness, strength, and freedom from lint.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Retail vs. AfH Tissue Market
Tissue paper is used in sanitary products, such as toilet and facial tissue, paper towels and napkins, and is sold to consumer (retail) and commercial (away-from-home or AfH) customers. According to Pulp & Paper, a trade publication covering the latest business developments, operations techniques and technical innovations in the pulp, paper and paperboard industry, consumer tissue accounts for 65 percent of the entire tissue market. The AfH market represents most of the remaining shipments and is sold to janitorial supply companies, hotels, offices, restaurants, schools, and government.
About 60 percent of U.S. tissue is produced from wastepaper fiber. And of the 40 percent virgin pulp used in the furnish, about half is purchased on the market. The rest is made onsite at integrated facilities.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
When Paper Towel Dispensers Don't Work
Managers may wish to consider offering patrons both hand towel machines and air dryers so that there will always be an alternative if one or the other can't be used. Conscientious service, repair, and replacement of machines also helps eliminate this common complaint.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Recycle Your Paper Products
Become a "green" restaurant by being environmentally conscious. Help the environment by purchasing products with recycled/reused contents. These products include, but are not limited to, paper table covers, placemats and napkins, menus, guest checks, office paper, business cards, take-out containers, trash bags, toilet seat covers and paper towels in restrooms.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Paper Towel Dispenser Varieties
There are many different kinds of paper towel dispensers to choose from. The choices include hand-towel dispensers, a mounted towel cabinet, touch-less paper towel dispensers, paper towel roll holders, and a roll towel cabinet.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Toilet Paper Trends
A toilet paper trend in public restrooms is the use of what's being called "compact tissue." On this type of toilet paper roll, there is no core. Instead there is a little hole. This allows more tissue in the space and eliminates tissue core waste.
