Value Added Systems

In any washroom situation - and the amount of cost incurred to maintain it - is directly proportionate to the major type of patrons frequenting these facilities. If this majority is a conscientious, responsible segment then use/abuse will be low and the amount of product used will be generally low. If, however, this majority falls into the use/abuse segment then the actual amount of product used will be disproportionately higher than normal and can result in excessively high costs to stock and maintain an organized and controlled washroom situation.

This page deals with the use/abuser and the types of Controlled Usage Systems available to curb this high cost, high maintenance segment.

There are three major types of Controlled Usage Systems designed for today’s washroom environments. These are:
1. Forced Control Systems
2. Time Delay Systems
3. Behavioral Control Systems

Most janitorial suppliers rely on and offer their customers the first type of system, but continue to be oblivious the other two types available.

FORCED CONTROL SYSTEMS

Dispensing Systems are, by design, a controlled system. This type of system relies on intentionally fatiguing the user to bring them to the point of abandoning their efforts to acquire more product. Although generally effective, this type of system can be easily circumvented by the user/abuser who insists on simply taking more product. Through sheer will power, persistence, and resourcefulness, this type of individual tends to find ways to circumvent these controls and therefore defeats the intent of these systems.

TIME DELAY CONTROL SYSTEMS

This type of system is actually very effective against the use/abuser because it dispenses product immediately but delays dispensing a repeat amount for a specific time period. Time Delay Control Systems rely on research showing that the average user actually spends from 1.5 to 2 seconds at a dispenser getting product. Research has also shown that use/abusers are, in fact, always in a hurry, wanting product quickly and easily and then getting on their way. This type of system provides the average user quick access to adequate amounts of product for the purpose but it is extremely successful in controlling excessive product usage with the use/abuser.

BEHAVIORAL CONTROL SYSTEMS

This type of system is probably the most effective against the use/abuser while at the same time controlling washroom product usage with each of the other washroom patron segments; and it does so in a very unique way. Its success comes from actually creating situations where the use/abuser doesn’t even realize their behavior is being controlled. Because of this, they don’t feel they have to ‘make up’ for the control-of-use system they have to interact with by taking product excessively.

Here’s why the systems is so effective:

If a paper towel dispenser is installed in a place that dispenses towel down into a wet sink, the user will stop dispensing towel BEFORE the paper can touch the wet sink. He does this because he himself does not want to use wet towel product to dry his own hands. Again, this system is so effective because the user does not recognize the positioning of a dispenser as a method of controlled usage.

Positioning affects product conservation, neatness of the washroom, volume of waste, safety – slip & fall situations, etc.

There are many other ways to control a washroom situation beyond dispenser placement, not only with regard to product usage but also to controlling the ‘FLOW’ of the washroom. These include:
- how patrons enter a washroom
- where you wash
- where you dry
- how long product is kept in the hands for use
- where it is disposed of
- how patrons exit the washroom

In conclusion it should be noted that the above three Controlled Usage Systems must be used in conjunction with one other. Their combined strengths and weaknesses serve to bring a balance of efficiency into the individual washroom situation. These same methods can be extended into other dispensing systems as well and work for soap, deodorizer, toilet tissue, and many others. What’s more, they work in other industries with other products also.

This untapped resource is a veritable pool of potential for helping us do our business “right”. It is part of the value added efforts of Papermake to serve you, our client-members, and set us apart among our competitors.