Having observed firsthand the amount of waste generated by hotels within my environment and whenever I get to travel for work, it is safe to say that a waste management strategy for hotels has become a very crucial topic. In this age of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, a proficient waste management system is a business advantage for potential and existing hotel investors and developers.
Today is June 5th, and in celebration of World Environment Day, we share a few ways by which hotels can minimise their waste. This can be done by implementing the well-known 4Rs of waste management.
What are the 4Rs?
1. Reuse
Hotels can promote the use of refillable containers and encourage guests to bring their own toiletries. A good idea would be to provide reusable options for items such as towels, linens, cutleries and liquid soap in soap dispensers rather than disposable bar soaps.
Some popular hotel brands such as Accor and Marriott have taken the step to ban plastic straws and also introduce multi-use toiletries in all their properties.
2. Recycle
Set up clearly marked recycling bins throughout the hotel for paper, plastic, glass, and other recyclable materials. Educate staff and guests about the importance of recycling and how to segregate waste into wet, dry and e-waste. E-waste can be hazardous, so it is important that they are disposed of properly. Organic waste can be converted into compost for landscaping or gardening.
3. Reduce
Apart from packaging waste, hotels lose about 7 per cent in food waste. Reducing the quantity of food portions may help reduce food wastage. Paper waste can also be reduced by implementing electronic check-in and check-out processes, digital menu, receipts, and digital info boards.
Within this, a silent R comes into play: Relief. Donating excess food to food banks or charitable organisations and providing relief to others is a much better idea than disposing of it. It also shows responsible business practices and support for the local community.
4. Recover
Converting waste into energy is a relatively new, but efficient process, especially if you have a large-scale operation or loads of waste to deal with. A simple biodigester system can convert your organic waste into biogas which can then be converted into electricity.
Plastic, paper and other inorganic waste can also undergo combustion in a mass-burn waste-to-energy plant to give useful energy.
To get the best out of your waste management plan, we recommend outlining your goals and targets. Sit down with an expert and consider their opinion to develop a good waste management strategy. As long as it falls within the purview of any of these above-mentioned methods, you can rest assured that you are doing your best to contribute to a more sustainable future.