It’s crazy to think that my journey in sustainability actually started whilst I was at a hotel. I was in the spa room and I got this light-bulb moment when I saw so many items wrapped in unnecessary single-use plastic. It was obviously not the first time I had ever seen this, but for some reason this time, I got this immense wake-up call that I had to start doing something about this problem. It was around 4 years ago now, and I would say I haven’t looked back since. I think the hospitality industry, and especially hotels, have the ability to make such a big impact, and I know that even implementing just some of these small changes can make a huge difference!
PLASTIC
Water Fountains and Stations
Installing water fountains and stations where guests can refill their water bottles is a must. Also having enough and in all corners of the hotel is key too because the easier it is for guests to locate a fountain nearby, the more likely they are to refill their bottle instead of buying a new plastic one. Another option is for bars to offer free refills of water (many already do, but encouraging guests to do so is great).
Aluminium & Cardboard Bottled Water
Since many people still don't carry around their own bottles, invest in selling aluminium or cardboard ones instead of plastic bottles! Many new companies have come out with some great plastic-free bottles that people have been loving.
Refillable Shower Items
Skip the mini toiletries and items and replace them with the refillable or at least larger versions (i.e. for shampoo, shower gel, conditioner etc). Many hotels have pledged to stop using these mini toiletries, but it should become universal to make the impact it should. In the meantime though, consider donating unused or not fully-used bottles to the homeless!
No More Plastic Room Key Cards
Think about having actual keys (especially if the hotel is more boutique and small), or if the hotel is bigger, try switching to wooden hotel room cards. Also, if you still use plastic key cards, encourage guests to return them after their stay so they can be reused as many times as possible.
Ditch the Plastic Straws & Cutlery
One that we've heard a lot about, but still needs reminding! Obviously there are many people who require a plastic straw for medical reasons, but for people who don't either a paper straw should be given, or many places are now using straws made of dry pasta! Also, many drinks don't require straws so they can be given one only when asked. And when it comes to cutlery, having wooden/bamboo cutlery or simply reusable cutlery is best. Even for a small ice cream hut if there's one on the beach, ditch the small colourful plastic spoons we all associate with ice cream, and use more sustainable options. Consider even using coconut bowls instead of non-recyclable cups for a cooler look that's also more eco-friendly.
SHOPS
Sustainable Clothing
Although sustainable clothing lines are on the rise and many people have tried to switch some of their buying habits, most are still small companies and by being more prevalent in hotels, it would really encourage even a wider demographic to be interested and support them. Depending on the location and type of hotel, they could sell sustainable swimwear, athletic wear, dresses, etc. Clothing that's made out of recycled materials like polyester, or natural materials like tencel or cotton, are what you should be looking for.
Paper Bags
As the number of plastic bags used in grocery stores has plummeted over the last few years with people bringing their own, or stores swapping to paper bags, there is no more need for plastic bags to be the norms in shops. For customers who don't bring their own bag, make sure that the bag that you pack their goods in is not plastic. Many stores like Lulu Lemon put items in a reusable bag, which is a great idea, or other stores just use a paper bag. Even better is to use recycled paper bags!
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
For hotels that are located in sunny locations or near the water, offering reef-safe sunscreen is a must. There are so many affordable brands nowadays that there is no reason for people not to use them if hotels sell them and if they help protect the reefs! Always check the labels for ingredients to avoid and read up on brands to make sure. Some brands that I love: Sun Bum, Jasön, Coola, Alba Botanica and many more!
Sustainable Items to Purchase
If you offer nice, sustainable items for guests to purchase, like cool water bottles, reusable straws, reusable cutlery etc. it means greater exposure to these items and a higher chance that people will think about buying them! If the hotel already has many water fountains around, then it will also increase the incentive to buy a nice water bottle if they don't already own one. Natural skincare products and other toiletry items are also good to offer.
ENERGY & EFFICIENCY
Herb & Vegetable Gardens On Site
This is obviously subject to space and the climate, but having a herb and vegetable garden on site, even if it's very small and simple with only the most used herbs, can help save money and energy in terms of food air miles/travel and simply the cost of buying the produce. And from personal experience, it also is a big positive in the guests' eyes!
Water-Efficient Shower Heads
This is something that can and should be done in houses as well as in hotels, but water-efficient shower heads are a must nowadays when draughts and water scarcity are becoming more and more prevalent. Again, it also saves money and energy and many companies have made them so that there is no noticeable difference in water pressure compared to normal shower heads.
Renewable Energy
With renewable energy becoming more and more part of our lives and much cheaper, hotels have to adopt these same trends. In fact, the Telegraph reported that"half of hotel guests who took part in the survey stated that sustainability and energy use by a hotel is important to them". Again, it is best to adapt to the climate, so in a resort in the Caribbean, solar power is the main renewable energy source, whereas in a windy town in Chile, wind power can be the main source!
Energy-Efficient Appliances
For lighting, switching to LED or CFL lightbulbs is a great choice as they can use 75 to 80% less energy than standard lightbulbs! It can also reduce the amount of times the lightbulbs need to be changed which can also save money. Another thing to adopt are occupancy sensors which essentially make the lighting systems operate only when there's movement or people. It can actually save 35-50% on lighting costs! Washing machines and dishwashers can also be big energy users, so doing the washing on Finally, encouraging staff participation is key if a large amount of change is to be made - encourage them to turn off appliances, lights, thermostats etc. when not in use. Installing a smart metre would also be very useful so you can track just how much energy is used over time so that you can make the appropriate changes!
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