Ways to make your hotels space more sustainable

Sustainability has become a key focus in the current trends of the hospitality industry. As guest expectations shift towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle, hotels must align with these evolving needs. Sustainable hotels are those that significantly minimize their environmental impact by adopting green best practices across maintenance, services, logistics, products, and supplies. Going green not only reduces environmental harm but also cuts costs, earning positive regard from guests. Responsible hospitality practices can be mutually advantageous for both hoteliers and guests. Here are some consolidated practices you can implement to stay in line with the green trend.

1. **Automate Conservation:**
Sustainability efforts in guest rooms extend beyond reminders to reuse towels or turn off lights. Implementing automation in washroom accessories is a significant step towards sustainability. Smart showers, room sensors, and thermostats with occupancy sensors, all connected via Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allow for efficient resource use. Water conservation practices, such as tracking usage and installing low-flow toilets and faucets with sensors, play a crucial role in reducing water consumption.

2. **Waste Reduction:**
Hotels should embrace recycling in common areas, utilize reusable food service materials, and offer newspapers in shared spaces instead of delivering to individual rooms. Encouraging guests to use reusable water bottles by providing filtered water stations is another step. Additionally, using hand dryers in washrooms significantly reduces waste production.

3. **Incorporate Recycling:**
Approximately 50 to 60% of hotel waste is recyclable. Recycling should go beyond plastic and glass and include items like fused bulbs, cans, cartons, and cartridges. Materials that cannot be recycled should be managed through proper waste treatment.

4. **Avoid/Ban Plastic Usage:**
To achieve sustainability, hotels should seek alternatives to plastic, opting for recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Eliminating single-use amenity bottles and providing reusable alternatives helps reduce unnecessary waste.

5. **Invest in Green Energy and Water-Saving Technology:**
The hospitality industry is increasingly adopting renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power. Many hotels are investing in solar heaters, biofuels, Combined Heating and Power (CHP), wind farms, and geothermal energy. Sensor taps and bidets in washrooms save significant water while providing a contactless experience, especially relevant in a post-pandemic world.

It is imperative to move towards creating a sustainable and eco-friendly hospitality industry. Making eco-friendly changes benefits not only the environment but also your business and guests. The time to initiate these changes is now.