Sustainability is a part of this year’s top trends in the hospitality industry. With guests’ expectations changing and turning towards an eco-friendlier lifestyle, hotels must adapt to those needs and expectations. Sustainable hotels are the ones that significantly reduce their environmental impact through green best practices in maintenance, services, logistics, products, and supplies. When hotels go green, they do less damage to the environment, lower costs, and win goodwill from guests. Responsible hospitality practices can be both beneficial to hoteliers and guests and so here are some compiled practices which you can apply to keep up with the green trend.
Automate conservation
Sustainability efforts in guest rooms have evolved beyond cards reminding guests to reuse towels, turn off the AC, or hit the light switch on the way out. Automation of washroom accessories can be one of the main steps toward sustainable hotels. Using Smart showers can limit the length of showers to a pre-set time, alerting users when their time is almost over. Using room sensors can automatically detect light levels, increasing and reducing the bulb brightness. Thermostats with occupancy sensors adjust heating and AC temperatures. Utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology, these same room amenities can be connected to apps so guests can change settings remotely. The most common water conservation practices that hotels have implemented are regular water tracking and low-flow toilets, as well as putting in efficient faucets and showerheads. These faucets are equipped with sensors that dispense water only in the presence of a user’s hands. It is important to note that high-efficiency bathroom fixtures use at least 20 percent less water and can save 50-60% of water compared to a regular tap.
Waste reduction
Hotels should implement recycling in common areas, reusable food service materials and make newspapers available in common areas rather than delivering to each individual room. Hotels should also implement the use of reusable water bottles by having filtered water stations and giving guests reusable water bottles instead of using plastic bottles. Also by using hand dryers in washrooms the waste production is proven to be reduced drastically.
Incorporate recycling
About 50 to 60 % of the waste produced by a hotel is recyclable. Recycling is not only limited to plastic or glass. Things like fused bulbs, cans, cartons, cartridges, etc can also be recycled. The materials which cannot be recycled can be managed through waste treatment.
Avoiding/banning usage of plastic
Plastic is a non-degradable material, which makes it difficult to decompose. It can either be recycled, reused or avoided. To attain sustainability, hotels should opt for alternatives for plastic. Consider using recyclable and biodegradable packaging that will cause less damage to the environment and aim to use other materials that can be re-used from guest to guest reducing unnecessary waste. Another simple way to reduce plastic use is to get rid of single-use shampoo and conditioner amenity bottles.
Invest in green energy and water saving technology
The hospitality industry is adopting renewable sources of energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. Solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power have already made their way into major industries. The hospitality industry made its way into using clean energy. Many hotels have invested into solar heaters, bio fuels, CHP (Combined Heating and Power), wind farms, and geothermal energy.
Equipments like Sensor taps, Sensor operated bidets in washrooms would help in saving 50-60% water while also being a sensible option for building a contactless hotel. They are popular especially in a world post pandemic.
It’s high time for us to care for the environment and head towards creating a sustainable and eco-friendly hospitality industry. There’s no time like the present to start making eco-friendly changes that can benefit your business, your guests and the environment.
