Lodging
Hotel operators looking to make their establishment more sustainable by minimizing waste must first turn to their supply chain. Most hotels are large users of disposable products. Single-use items generate a great deal of waste and are often very costly. However, there are ways that hotels can minimize their use of disposable items and their environmental impact in the process. This can often be accomplished without increasing the cost of your hospitality supplies. Here are the two main areas where hotels can switch their normal disposable items for eco-friendly alternatives:
Reducing the Use of Disposables in Your Hotel
Guest Rooms
In-room personal care items are a popular amenity among hotel guests. However, these items generate a lot of packaging waste. What’s worse, they are often thrown away while still containing some product. Many hotels are minimizing the impact of their complimentary toiletries by purchasing products that come in environmentally-friendly packaging such as recycled paper.
Hotels should also look for suppliers that provide products that are free of parabens and sulfates. These ingredients are not only bad for the environment, many people with skin sensitives can also suffer adverse reactions from them. There are many companies that offer hospitality supplies with environmentally-friendly formulations. These products are available at a similar price point to traditional options. This allows you to provide more value to your guests without spending more money.
Food & Beverage
Your food service department can generate a lot of paper and plastic waste on a daily basis. While eliminating disposable items like napkins, paper cups, and plastic cutlery altogether is not feasible for most hotels, there are ways to encourage guests to use less of these items.
Hotels that offer a grab-and-go breakfast service will often stock their breakfast bars with disposable plates, cups, and cutlery. However, many guests actually sit and enjoy their meal in the hotel dining area or in their room. For that reason, it’s a good idea to make reusable coffee mugs and flatware available alongside disposable options. Generating a few more dishes may create a bit more work for your kitchen staff. However, cutting down on your cost of disposable products can save you money in the long run.
The best way for hotels to lower the impact of their daily use of disposables is to find quality suppliers to help them stock eco-friendly alternatives to their current products. Source1 Purchasing’s strategic suppliers program can help you identify the best suppliers for your all of your hospitality needs. Contact us today to learn more.
