As the hospitality industry sharpens its focus on efficiency, sustainability, and guest experience, hoteliers should take a closer look at how outdated equipment like PTAC units is being handled. According to Nathan Faircloth, director of business development, RoomOne Solutions, hotels may replace seven to 15 percent of their PTAC units annually, and many of those are improperly disposed of. Addressing this issue aligns day-to-day operations with broader environmental goals.
RoomOne offers nationwide PTAC pick up and recycling at no cost to hotels. All hotels need to do is place at least six PTAC units on a pallet in front of the building, and RoomOne will handle the rest, ensuring the units are properly removed from the property.
โFor the most part, people just throw them away,โ Faircloth said. โBy and large, they donโt know thatโs against the law. Many donโt realize that itโs also bad for the environment. Part of the reason that they donโt think about it is because theyโve never considered that there may be a vendor that can help. And, especially, I donโt think theyโve considered that anyone does it for free.โ
Improper disposal is typically the norm. It isnโt malicious; itโs simply a matter of convenience or lack of awareness. Many properties donโt know itโs illegal to toss these units out like regular trash, or they assume someone else will handle it responsibly.
Below are three of the most commonโand problematicโways that PTAC units get disposed:
1The Dumpster
For many hotel operators, the default solution to PTAC disposal is the dumpster. This method is not only environmentally harmful; itโs also illegal.
PTAC units contain refrigerants that are regulated under the Clean Air Act. Dumping these units can result in leaks if the lines or coils are damaged, which happens more often than people think. Some operators mistakenly believe that the trash company handles sorting or safe disposal, but thatโs not the case. โThe trash company sorts that outโ is a common misconception, according to Faircloth, because usually, the unit ends up in a landfill, releasing hazardous substances.
Best practice: The hotel is already moving the unit out to the dumpster. It takes even less physical effort to place the unit onto a pallet in front of the property than putting it into a dumpster. RoomOne will then take the units away, providing a compliant, responsible solution.
2The โScrapperโ
Another common approach is using an independent โscrapperโ to haul away old, broken PTAC units. While this might seem like a win, itโs far from a risk-free solution. Faircloth explained, โThe person could throw their back out. They could back into your loading dock. Theoretically, they might be disposing the units the wrong way, and you could wind up being liable for having transacted with them.โ
Even if well-intentioned, these individuals are often not certified recyclers and are usually โunlicensed contractors.โ Without proper vetting, working with them puts the property at legal risk. Faircloth said, โThis is technically negligence if this person isnโt a certified recycler. The hotel is supposed to vet this person and make sure the person has insurance for liability and EPA certification.โ
Safety risks are also important to consider. Faircloth added, โIf I were a hotel owner, I would be worried that the person could get hurt on site.โ
Best practice: Partner with a certified, insured service that understands the hospitality environment and handles the materials the right way, both legally and logistically.
3The Guestroom Graveyard
When operators arenโt sure how to properly dispose of PTAC units and other items like mattresses, they often end up in an empty guestroom or another empty space like a storage closet or even a gym. This temporary solution can turn permanent, costing hotels space and revenue. Not only is this clutter unsightly and inefficient, but it can also slow down operations, leading to lost revenue. The problem rarely, if ever, resolves itself.
Best practice: Faircloth said, โThis isnโt the best to do because the waste or junk just stays on the property. RoomOne will pick up the units anywhere in the country at no cost. Itโs easy and free to do the right thing.โ
A Free Solution to Improper PTAC Disposal
RoomOne offers a simple solution that hoteliers can use to properly dispose of PTAC units. Hotels simply place a minimum of six broken, unused, or unwanted PTAC units on a pallet, contact RoomOne, and schedule a pick up, free of charge.
To keep this service completely free for customers, RoomOne recycles, repairs, and sometimes resells usable PTAC units and parts. โIf we get a unit that canโt be repaired, we break it down into components that we can either reuse or resell,โ Faircloth explained. โIf the components arenโt reusable, then we break them down into materialsโscrap metal, copper, everything elseโthat we send to a recycler.โ
RoomOne partners with many national hotel brands. These partnerships include flag-level agreements with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, BWH Hotels, Choice Hotels International, and IHG Hotels & Resorts. For these brands, RoomOne supports broader sustainability targets and goals as well as operational efficiencies. Itโs a simple, cost-free way to streamline operations, support eco-conscious initiatives, and strengthen a hotelโs reputation with its stakeholders and in its market, all while ensuring the dumpster, the โscrapper,โ and the guestroom graveyard are in the past of PTAC unit disposal.
For more information, contact Owen Finch, sourcing account executive, RoomOne Solutions, at owen.finch@roomonesolutions.com. Sponsored by RoomOne Solutions.
