Sustainability in the hospitality industry was a nice-to-have a decade ago; today, it is a commercial imperative as more and more individuals make sustainable travel choices.

In order to become more green and eco-friendly, many hotels are beginning to produce more and more green resources and continue to have green meetings on a regular basis in order to plan how to make each activity more sustainable. Hotels across the world — from budget to luxury — are implementing measures to recycle, eliminate waste, and reduce carbon footprints as much as possible.

These environmentally-friendly measures have subsequently become the norm for hotels striving to provide more sustainable services.

Energy Conservation

Hotels internationally aim to cut energy usage while preserving — and increasing — the experience of the guests, whether in key businesses as boilers or lighting systems, culinary equipment, and automated energy management systems. For example, Chelsea Hotel in Toronto uses CFL lighting in all of their guestrooms. CFLs utilize around 75% less energy than incandescent lamps. Energy conservation benefits the environment, and using less energy emits fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Water Conservation

Hotels continue to develop efficiencies that minimize water and, in many cases, chemicals used to treat water systems and clean facilities within guest rooms, laundries, kitchens, pools, and spas. Efforts span from the now-standard linen and towel reuse incentives to the installation of low-flow faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures. For instance, The Banff Aspen Lodge has an interesting initiative for environmental promotion. Where visitors stay two or more nights at this hotel and prefer no housekeeping service, they can select choices to take the guest into account:

Option 1: The Banff Aspen Lodge will make a $4 donation on behalf to the Banff Town Foundation, which supports environmental activities in the community.

Option 2: Enjoy one complimentary beverage at the Whitebark Cafe, which is located in the foyer of the Banff Aspen Lodge.

Recycling and Waste Reduction

Recycling programs for essential items like newspapers and beverage containers are becoming the norm, with the exception of domestic hotels. In addition to recycling, hotels are looking for ways to limit the consumption of paper and other disposables. Hotels and resorts that go the extra mile and implement food waste composting systems can divert up to 50% of waste from landfills.

Bath Amenities

*The Peninsula Hotel’s Bespoke Line of Sustainable Destination Inspired Guest Room Amenities*

Many hotels are making a statement by providing visitors with facilities that are specifically tailored to their needs. The Peninsula Hotels, for example, has gone a step further by being the first hotel chain to offer bathroom amenities in 99.9% petroleum plastic-free packaging. The Peninsula Hotels is the first hotel chain to take a completely comprehensive approach to honouring the sensory tale of each property's unique location while also adhering to a green mindset. Each bathroom amenity package combines regionally crafted, unique fragrance, natural ingredients, and sustainable packaging to enhance the guests' stay experience, and is produced by exceptional fragrance curators in each destination.

Room Keys

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-based plastic is used to make modern plastic key cards, and it is an extremely poisonous material. Many hotel chains are switching to greener card options like paper, wood, and bioplastic.

Cleaning Products

Many hotels have switched to cleaning products created with bio-based oils and other natural cleansers, acknowledging the need of safer goods for guests and employees as well as the environment. They are minimizing their use of chlorine bleach and petrochemical compounds by making the move. These more natural products have a track record of effectiveness, are less irritating to guests and employees, and are less detrimental to the environment.

Food Preparation

Hotel food and beverage services are increasingly focusing on local products, fresh, seasonal produce, and other ingredients. The transition to more sustainably sourced and healthier cuisine provides travelers with unique chances to feel more connected to the places they visit.

Hotel X Toronto's food sourcing is through food and Beverage suppliers who follow a "Buy Local Products" policy that encourages Ontario-grown goods while also encouraging local economic development.

Replacements for Bottled Water

In order to reduce waste and provide a higher-quality experience, many hotels are abandoning bottled water as the standard and instead providing innovative hydration options for meeting attendees and independent travellers. Look for filtered water stations that are conveniently situated, complimentary refillable bottles, and other choices that are designed to provide guests with practical and tasty alternatives to water in plastic bottles.

*Dusit Hotels and Resorts move on single plastic reduction*

Dusit Hotels and Resorts began eliminating the usage of plastic straws and bottles in all of their guest rooms worldwide and continually looking at methods to replace as many plastics as possible with ecologically friendly solutions.

SustainaBEElity

Hotels have propelled the local produce movement to new heights… in a literal sense. Rooftops of some of the most fashionable hotels are being used for beekeeping. Bees are the world's most serious ecological problem that has gone largely unnoticed. As a result, hotels have realized that roofs, which were previously underutilized, can now be used for such a worthy cause.

Hotels that work to incorporate sustainable principles into their operations are positioned as market leaders. Developing green best practices now to meet these expectations is the key to increasing a hotel's bottom line. Hotels that implement extensive sustainable programmes will be less likely to lose customers to competitors. After all, "sustainability has emerged as a critical driver of innovation." It may be a complex idea, but as long as it addressed and acknowledged, it raises awareness and potentially attracts new breeds of customers and retains loyalty.

“Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract – sustainable development – and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people”

— Kofi Annan

Hotel Sustainability Initiatives