5 Eco Friendly Products For Hotels
There is no doubt that consumers are becoming increasingly interested in environmentally friendly ways of conduct, including the ways we travel, sustainability and ethical means of enjoying and buying food, as well as consumption of fashion and the products that we use. This goes further to the companies we buy from, shop with and stay loyal to. Consumers today do not want to spend their money on a non-ethical company and they are more than willing to make their voices heard about it.
In the hospitality industry, growing numbers of people are becoming aware of eco campaigns and their impact on the environment when they travel. Hospitality encompasses where we stay, where we eat, and the things we enjoy doing. It only makes sense that consumers want to support brands and businesses that reflect similar values to their own, and with a variety of choices out there for consumers to choose from, you need to ensure you are doing all you can to actively represent the values of your company and your customers.
In this blog we’re going to look at the attitudes of consumers, the ways in which the hospitality industry contributes to global waste, and share 5 eco-friendly products that every hotel can implement to pave the way for a more sustainable hospitality industry that understands and represents the values of its consumers.
Findings of consumers
For the hospitality industry, adapting to more environmentally friendly means is essential to keeping consumers happy, staying up to date with societal issues, and of course, actually managing your environmental impact. TripAdvisor conducted a study and found that 57% of participants ‘often’ make eco-friendly travel decisions, such as choice of hotel, transportation and food source. 44% of travellers stating that they feel they are more eco conscious when at home as opposed to travelling.
Whatsmore, half of those asked said that they would be happy to pay more for an eco-friendly accommodation, suggesting that consumers are more than happy to support brands and companies that reflect their environmental values, even for a cost.
This is further reinforced as another study shows that 4 out of 5 people describe themselves as likely to choose a brand with a positive approach to environmental sustainability. While a further 87% want brands to act now to encourage future sustainability. Additionally, other sources back up consumers’ claims for environmental concern with 63% of a UK sample agreeing that they believe caring about the environment is an important issue.
Hotel consumers are directly stating what it is they want from you and it is a greener, more sustainable approach to the hospitality industry and values that align with their own. This in turn creates a huge market for hotels keen to pay more attention to their green initiatives while still appealing to consumers.
Hospitality findings
The hospitality sector is a huge contributor to plastic waste, and while it has historically been convenient, cheap and hygienic (perfect for its uses in hospitality), it can be used only once and then ends up in landfill. Hotels produce 289,700 tonnes of waste each year, with a large portion of this being single use plastics and toiletries. Moreover, findings from BPF (British Plastics Federation) report that only 37% of plastic is recycled in the UK.
With findings like this, it is no surprise that consumers want to find hotels that leave their mark on the planet in a more positive way, championing more eco-friendly ways of conduct and opting for more environmentally conscious products. Below we’re going to look at some product swaps all hotels can make to begin their path toward a greener future.
Products
When we think of hotel products we think of mini shampoos and body wash, and of course pinching them at the end of your stay. But these make up a large amount of plastic waste that is so significant in the hotel industry. Opting for more environmentally friendly products that are not housed in single use plastics could contribute massively to avoiding plastic in landfill.
Products like shampoo bars and all in one soaps are fantastic alternatives that come as a simple bar. Housed in card boxes or other biodegradable housing, it negates the need for plastic and makes the lives of your cleaning staff much easier. Guests can take home their shampoo bar after their stay and not have to worry about recycling plastic bottles or tossing half empty bottles.
Shampoo bars pose a lot of positives. They use less water to make them, the majority of shampoo bars available are free of harmful chemicals and synthetic ingredients that can harm waterways and ecosystems, and they don’t rely on plastic bottles to contain them - making them a win for hotels and their guests. Whatsmore, stocking items like this could show guests how beneficial they are and prompt them to make a change too.
For boutique hotels who want to offer unique little touches, a shampoo bar wrapped in a unique or personalised wrapper is a lovely touch guests can enjoy and it shows them you’re taking interest in your environmental impact. You can read more on shampoo bars here and make an informed decision to include these as part of your hotel’s offering.
Bamboo products
Bamboo products are doubly beneficial as bamboo itself has a huge impact on the environment. Growing bamboo contributes to absorbing carbon dioxide, in fact, compared to equivalent tree mass, bamboo produces 35% more oxygen, and research has shown that bamboo can absorb as much as 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare per year.
Moreover, bamboo products have seemingly become a replacement for plastic products, such as toothbrushes, cotton buds, hair brushes, and so much more. Bamboo products can be reused, they’re cheap to make and they decompose naturally, leaving no harmful waste in landfills. For larger hotels that want to provide their guests with a fully catered experience, supplying all the little touches such as toiletries, makeup removal, toothbrushes, etc, bamboo products are a great way to do this sustainably.
Additionally, for hotels looking to purchase more sustainable amenities, bamboo organisation trays and other furnishings are cost effective, durable, and environmentally friendly. Little things like this show guests that you care about the bigger picture and implement environmental action at all points of your service.
Cleaning products
Hotel cleaning products no doubt take up a huge percentage of the yearly budget. Of course this is impossible to avoid as cleanliness and hygiene are paramount in any hospitality business. However, cleaning products often use a variety of harmful chemicals and can have knock-on effects for the environment, not to mention an abundance of plastic waste.
Products such as the Bright Earth range are an eco-friendly cleaning brand that offers cruelty-free cleaning products made from plant based and vegan ingredients. Their products are available in recycled plastic packaging and 10% of their profits are donated to charity.
For products such as laundry detergent, companies such as eco-mate provide 100% plant based liquid detergents in plastic free bottles that are ethical and biodegradable. These detergents are fantastic for cleaning bedding, linen, towels and everything else that makes up the massive run cycle of a hotel’s laundry while also cutting down on waste.
Opting for a cleaning solution free from harmful chemicals offers several benefits to your business, including safer for the environment, safer for guests and hotel staff, as well as more cost effective in the long run. Every kind of hotel would benefit from taking a look at their cleaning supply provider and contemplating a change. For some hotels this can also be an ample opportunity to review your spending and potentially make some savings in your annual cleaning costs.
Hygiene products
At some point we have all visited a hotel and forgot something, be it your deodorant, toothbrush or toothpaste. While a lot of hotels tend to only offer the basic toiletries (shampoo, body wash, conditioner), adding small touches such as eco-friendly toothpaste can really elevate a guest’s experience with you.
Chewy toothpaste tabs are an environmentally friendly toothpaste alternative that works by chewing, brushing and rinsing. Packaged in sustainable paper packaging, these eco tabs are perfect for reducing plastic waste, they’re handy and free from microplastics, fluoride, and other chemicals.
Water refill
Access to clean, fresh drinking water is essential to hotel guests. While some hotels have a mini bar, downstairs bar and restaurant, or other facilities, having pre-bottled water is not very environmentally friendly. Encouraging guests to use water machines and refilling reusable bottles is much more eco friendly, reducing water waste and plastic waste. For an added touch you can provide personalised reusable bottles as a small keepsake for guests.
Alternatively, you can provide eco-friendly bamboo or paper cups, however, paper cups are not hugely beneficial and should always be encouraged to be recycled, hopefully with onsite recycling points within the hotel.
Some companies offer the opportunity for personal branding to be added to your water cooler also, as well as abiding by climate friendly initiatives such as reducing co2 emissions and planting trees, further enforcing your eco-friendly status and values.
Something to consider: when researching providers, it is essential to also look at their environmental impact and their pledge for change. Things such as their co2 emissions, packaging, working with charities, etc. Partnering with other ethical brands is another step to generating more green practices for your hotel.
Amenities
Added extras such as ear plugs, biscuits, straws, etc all come wrapped individually in plastic. While the UK has firmly taken a stance on overusing plastic straws, it is important to look at other wasteful ways we use single use plastic. If you provide tea and coffee and biscuits to your guests, look at how they come wrapped and if there are any suppliers which you can switch to avoid lots of plastic waste.
For an added touch you could negate the single use plastic housing of earbuds or eye masks, etc, by creating a small welcome package in an eco friendly, decomposable box to house small hotel essentials. Things like corkscrew, slippers, tea and coffee, hotel merchandise or gifts, are a great touch and make the experience more memorable for guests who may be more likely to recommend you to a friend for these small gestures and the impression it leaves them with.
Other tips
Elementura Amenities is a sustainable brand that offers a variety of eco-friendly products such as toiletries and room essentials. They aim to reduce waste and offer the hospitality industry more sustainable ways to meet their guests’ needs.
Food waste is a huge problem within the hospitality and hotel industry, looking into your food waste statistics and perhaps partnering with local food banks or other local organisations is a fantastic way to support the local community and reduce waste.
Paperless forms and guest reviews can be done online or via a QR code in the room, reducing paper waste and giving guests a more convenient way to fill things out - via their phone.
We can help
At cab Hospitality, we work with hospitality businesses around the world from small boutique hotels to global restaurant chains. We understand that hotels, now more than ever, are having to evaluate their environmental impact and how their hotel operates. We can help your hotel with the right marketing support for eco initiatives, as well as a variety of digital marketing strategies, branding and SEO to see your hotel bookings increase.