Sustainable Hotels: Top Tips for a Greener Hotel

Want to cut costs and create a more sustainable hotel operation? Here are our top sustainable hotel tips.

Hoteliers are increasingly becoming more aware of the need for their businesses to become more sustainable and eco-friendly in a bid to reduce costs, boost profits and encourage new customers.

It is not always easy to know where to start and some of the systems being installed in the larger hotels to make them more environmentally friendly can be very expensive and out of the budget restraints of smaller businesses.

However, there are a number of cheaper, sustainable solutions, which hotels can adopt – so, here our our top sustainablehotel tips.

Top Tips for a Greener Hotel 

• Towels and Sheets: Asking guests to take a greener approach themselves, by participating in a linen reuse programme for both towels and sheets in all guest rooms will reduce energy consumption significantly. Based on an average sized hotel of 150 rooms, 6,000 gallons of water and 40 gallons of detergent will be saved monthly. It will also reduce energy, water, staff, detergent and sheet/towel replacement costs.
• Launndry: An ozone laundry system, which involves being able to wash towels and sheets without having to heat up water is a great way to reduce energy use, whilst also cutting operational costs.
• Low-Flow Systems: Hotels can save up to 50% of their water use by installing low-flow showerheads and toilets, a reasonable cheap system to put in. sink aerators and toilet tank fill diverters also cut down the amount of water that is wasted.
• Water: Water use and costs can also be significantly reduced with the introduction of a rain harvesting system or a greywater system.  
• Lighting: Hotels should use lighting timers for places that are not used frequently and sensors in areas such as hallways. Cheaper LED or energy efficient light bulbs can be used in the majority of guestrooms, as these are used most of the time for sleeping anyway, when light is not an issue.
• Daylight: Use natural daylight to light reception spaces, dining rooms and meeting areas for as long as possible. This will again reduce energy consumption, but also save money for energy costs and buying replacement bulbs.
• Recycling: Recycling is a huge part of everyday modern life these and hotels can play their part too. By providing recycling bins in kitchens, offices and public areas, staff and guests will be encouraged to use them. This can even extend to guestrooms having a recycling basket. It does not have to be compulsory, but people are more aware of green issues and recycling and are likely to want to join in the initiative too. This will also reflect well on a hotels reputation as it is a clear and open move towards being more eco-friendly.
• Food: The kitchen has an important role to play as well. Food should be bought in bulk and where possible, depending on budgetary limits, organic and fair trade produce purchased and served to customers.

These are just a few simple, non-expensive ways of introducing small, yet effective sustainable measures into a hotel. Not only will hoteliers see a dramatic reduction in operational costs, the reputation of the hotel will improve too, which is priceless.

During tough economic times, sustainability has never been so important.

By Phil Benson