Eco-conscious amenities: Transcend guest expectations with sustainable luxury
As environmental concerns & guest expectations rise so does the need for accommodations to implement sustainable practices
As environmental concerns and guest expectations rise, accommodation owners and managers need to implement sustainable practices that don’t detract from the guest experience.
Research shows that up to 95 percent of the plastic used in hotel rooms ends up in landfill, adding to the 20 million tonnes of garbage in landfill in Australia alone.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, each year the top 300 hotel groups in the world dispose of an estimated 5.5 billion amenity bottles and caps.
Industry sustainability expert David Nicolas believes that sustainability is becoming increasingly important for modern-day guests.
“Many people are becoming more conscious of their own impact on the environment, and they want to support businesses that share their values,” he said.
“Furthermore, environmental issues are gaining more attention and visibility in the media, and this is likely to continue in the future.
“As a result, hotels that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability are likely to be more attractive to a growing number of guests who are looking for eco-friendly accommodations.”
When looking for areas to reassess your accommodation’s eco-friendly factor, there is one area that Mr Nicolas believes is key for improving sustainability.
“Hotels generate a large amount of solid waste, since soaps, shampoos, and other amenities that are reused at home are immediately thrown away in the hotel,” he said.
“Hotel enterprises can significantly improve their sustainability by purchasing eco-friendly amenities.”
Research has shown that 20 percent of the carbon footprint in tourism destinations is associated with goods and lodging.
With popular booking platforms now including options to search for “green” travel providers, it has never been a better time to reassess your Accom’s carbon footprint.
To help you go green with your accommodation amenities, AccomNews has looked at the key areas to consider.
Refillable options
Traditionally hotel toiletries were provided in miniature bottles, as this was previously considered a more luxurious option than a large dispenser. However, brands progressed to refillable options that are both economical and high-quality.
To ensure an elevated experience at your accommodation, look for refillable options that use natural oils and have a luxurious feel. When possible, look for products that align with your surroundings, such as those that use native scents or tie in with local landmarks (think ocean or forest scents).
Refillable options that are wall-mounted are also seeing an increase in popularity. With the added bonus of being theft and tamper proof, refillable wall-mounted products can also allow providers to seek out additional opportunities to exceed guest expectations. Have a bathtub? Consider offering bubble bath near the tub, or a luxurious body lotion for guests to use after a day in the sun.
Source Locally
Another way to reduce your accommodation’s environmental impact is by sourcing products locally. Purchasing goods from within your own area helps reduce the products’ carbon footprint by minimising transport, as well as fostering important community ties.
Buying locally has become a key consideration for consumers who love knowing where their products are coming from and supporting local businesses.
For accommodation providers, locally produced products such as soaps or body lotions provide another opportunity to ‘story tell’ about your surroundings. For an additional income stream, consider selling full sized versions of the products to guests directly.
Packaging
In 2018, Bali declared a “garbage emergency” after a 20-kilometre stretch of beach at the popular tourist destination was swamped with plastic waste.
Since then, consumers have become increasingly aware of the importance of avoiding single-use plastics where possible.
For amenities, zero-waste toiletries such as solid shampoo and soap bars are a potential option. Otherwise, consider products in recyclable packaging such as cardboard or glass or biodegradable material. For eco-conscious guests, this attention to detail is sure to impress!
Formulation
When considering toiletries at your Accom, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the options. The task is additionally complex when you consider the marketing “greenwashing” that can make products look more environmentally friendly than they really are.
Mr Nicolas said guests prefer the tourism industry to be transparent on their individual sustainability journey and avoid ‘greenwashing’. He said that this can be achieved by properly researching products to ensure you are providing your guests with the best choices.
To ensure you are selecting the best products available, look out for products that have achieved certification.
Australian Certified Organic (ACO), B Corp Certification, and the Green Tick all provide certification only to products that are kinder to our environment.
As a final note, Mr Nicolas said that taking guests on a sustainability journey with you is a worthwhile endeavour.
Communicate the changes you are making to guests and explain why your Accom believes that choosing eco-friendly products is important.
Finally, don’t be afraid to make small, tangible changes and grow from there. This will help ensure that the transition is successful and also sustainable over time.
Sarah is a freelance journalist with experience across print, digital and audio. After working for Multimedia Publishing as a contributing writer, she has recently joined the team in a part-time capacity for School News AU and AccomNews.
