How Sustainable Practices Are Transforming the Hotel Industry
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The hotel industry is experiencing a significant transformation driven by the growing importance of sustainability. As environmental consciousness becomes a priority for both businesses and consumers, hotels are re-evaluating their conservation practices to align with these new expectations.
Many customers and tourists are now actively seeking hotels that have a clear priority of sustainability in their daily operations. Because of this, there are several things that hotels are doing to remain competitive in the industry and uphold a sustainable brand reputation.
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4 Ways Sustainability is Changing The Hotel Industry
Here are four ways that the hotel industry is embracing sustainability and how you can get on board:
Minimizing Carbon Footprint
The hospitality industry needs to implement key practices to reduce its carbon footprint in any shape or form.
A good starting point is water conservation. Hotels can put greywater recycling systems and rainwater harvesting systems in place for efficient and safe water reuse. Small changes, like water-efficient fixtures and asking guests to recycle towels for more than one use, make a big difference over time.
Another big conservation area is energy. More hotels are exploring alternative energy sources, specifically renewable energy such as solar. For example, using lighting alternatives with LED bulbs is a simple way to reduce energy consumption as these bulbs use significantly less energy than regular bulbs.
Hotels can also install motion sensor lighting to avoid unnecessary energy use, and encourage guests to switch off lights and AC systems when they leave their rooms.
Finally, waste management is key for optimal sustainability. Something as simple as recycling all waste in all areas of operation, as well as providing recycling bins in rooms, can go a long way. Avoid adding to already burgeoning landfills and compost all food waste on-site. Switch from plastic to reusable containers in food departments, as well as toiletries in the rooms.
While these practices are perfect for optimizing sustainability, they can also save you massive expenditures within the business in the long run.
Reduce Food Waste
For hotels with an operational restaurant or food service, there is a high risk of food waste. To minimize waste, hotels can implement a sustainable stock and inventory process to keep track of all food products required to avoid over-ordering and being left with surplus food.
This is particularly an issue with buffet-style setups. If you find that there is a lot of waste with a buffet setup, consider switching to a set menu or à la carte option.
Ensure that all food is being stored in the proper environment to avoid spoilt products, and manage food portioning. If you find that most plates are sent back with leftover food, rethink the portion sizes.
While you can implement all strategies to avoid food wastage, there will always be some form of surplus. You can still be sustainable by composting food waste or donating the leftover produce to local charities or food banks.
Sustainable Supply Chains
While hotels can implement all the right sustainable practices in-house, they rely heavily on products and services from external suppliers. It is just as important to build a supply chain network that also prioritizes sustainability.
Always check that all suppliers comply with the necessary sustainability practices and ethical labor practices. The last thing you would want is to be linked in any way to a supplier that has a compromising brand reputation in these areas.
Try to source as many products locally as you possibly can. Not only does this minimize your carbon footprint, but it also serves to uplift your local community. Within the local community, look for organic and sustainably produced products.
Be transparent about your suppliers with guests. If you source ingredients from a local farm, make it known on your menus or at food stations. If all your suppliers meet an official sustainability standard, like being completely fair trade, advertise this. Guests will always feel more at ease when they know where everything comes from.
Certifications in Sustainability
Since more consumers are looking to support sustainable businesses, more hotels are adhering to sustainability standards to achieve a certification. Not only is this great for the environment but it helps attract business, so it’s a win-win.
There are a couple of sustainability certifications prominent in the hotel industry:
- LEED Certification: Awards certifications on Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels based on several factors including energy and water efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.
- Green Key Certification: Checks the minimization of the hotel’s carbon footprint, the sustainable use of resources, and educating employees and guests on sustainability and environmentalism.
Final Thoughts
Sustainability is not just a buzzword – it has been around for a while now, and it is here to stay.
Hotels must implement the necessary practices wherever possible to reduce their environmental impact and benefit their surrounding areas. You should always keep up with new practices and technology available to optimize sustainable efficiency, as it is ever-evolving.
With increasing customer demands, it is key to make your sustainable practice a part of your overall brand. A reputable PR firm like the Hoyt Organization is the perfect addition to ensure this.
Founder and President at The Hoyt Organization
With over 25 years of experience, Leeza’s campaigns have garnered over 150 awards from top public relations organizations nationwide. Additionally, THO serves as the Los Angeles area partner of the Public Relations Global Network, granting clients access to over 50 global markets. The agency was also named to one of the top 200 firms in the country by Forbes magazine in 2021, and she has been named by Globest.com as a Woman of Influence and a Woman to Watch, among other designations.
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