Sabrina is a seasoned digital marketing manager with 10+ years of B2B & B2C experience in the tech and SaaS space. She is focused on building and implementing strategies that innovate, create awareness, and generate demand. Sabrina executes brand/product development through strategic alignment, passion, resolute focus, and inspired teams.
Will non-refill dispensers cost me more than bulk refilling?
As the hotel industry moves to wall-mounted bathroom dispensers from individual single-use toiletries there are multiple systems a hotel can use, but there are two main types hoteliers typically choose; Refillable and Non-Refillable.
When trying to decide which one to buy a question we often get asked is, “Will non-refill dispensers cost me more than if I opt for a bulk refill?”
That’s a great question so let’s dive into this a bit more…
When you look at the outright cost of a non-refillable dispenser compared to a bulk 5L it may seem as though it will end up costing more. However, there are a few hidden costs that you don’t see when making this comparison.
The non-refillable dispensers are a lot less labour-intensive than a bulk refill. You simply have to:
- Swap the empty dispenser with a ready-filled bottle from the trolley.
- Job Done!
With bulk refills there’s a recommended best practice process to follow:
- Swap the empty dispenser with a ready-filled bottle from the trolley. Depending on the product, size of the bottle and what your liquid refill level is this could be as often as once or twice a week.
- Your team must remove the bottles from the bathroom and take them to a clean, sterilised area at the back of house.
- Unscrew each bottle pump top and refill the dispenser with a 5 Litre or 20 Litre container.
- Replace the bottle pump top, wipe down the dispenser and remove any overflow to ensure the product looks its best.
- Once the dispensers are ready, they are put on the trolleys to be redistributed back to the rooms as needed.
It may seem excessive to remove the bottles from the bathroom and take them to a sanitised area for refilling, however, the risk of bacterial contamination in a bathroom is so much higher due to the damp environment. Since the manufacturer of the dispenser must meet certain health and safety standards in order to operate, this should also be the same for a hotel. If you do choose to go with bulk refill it’s paramount that you and your team maintain good hygiene standards. To do this it is recommended that you replace the bottles every 4 months.
While it’s not completely clear which system will cost you more the refillable bottles will show your amenities cost as lower, however, this takes a lot more labour cost and management to ensure good hygiene is maintained.
So, if you’re looking for an easy solution that will save your housekeeper’s time while maintaining good hygiene practices for your guests the Non-Refill option is the best answer.
If you want more information check out our recent article: Refillable or Non-Refillable Bathroom Dispensers – What is best for my hotel or motel?
