5 Ways Hotels Can Become More Eco-Friendly

Photo by Christian Lambert

As the world becomes more and more environmentally conscious, hotels are starting to see the importance of becoming eco-friendly as well. Many guests now expect hotels to have environmentally friendly policies in place and are willing to pay a premium for those who do.

As a business owner or operator in the hospitality industry, you can play an important role in preserving the planet's resources by taking green initiatives at your hotel. Here are five eco-friendly hotel ideas to help your property become more sustainable.

Start a Rooftop Garden

A rooftop garden is a great way for hotels to reduce environmental impact while adding an elegant touch to their property. Rooftop gardening conserves energy by reducing humidity caused by typical landscaping and provides insulation, which reduces the need for cooling in hot climates. Additionally, it encourages biodiversity and can help attract pollinators such as birds and butterflies. The garden is a beautiful sight to behold and will give guests a pleasant view while they relax on the hotel's outdoor terraces. With rooftop gardens, hotels can provide their clients with an immersive nature experience without straying too far from the comfort of the hotel grounds.

Reduce Energy Usage

Hotels can save a lot of energy through various measures, such as installing efficient lighting technologies, for example, UFO LED Lighting, using energy-efficient heating systems and appliances, and regularly conducting energy audits to identify potential sources of waste. You can also utilize natural ventilation as much as possible, install window treatments to keep out heat and cold, and use ceiling fans to create a cooling breeze. Install motion detectors in the rooms and timers on lights and other electrical items to avoid wasting energy when they are not in use.

Handle Hazardous Waste Property

Hazardous waste can harm human health and the environment, so hotels need to handle and dispose of hazardous materials properly. To reduce their environmental impact, hotels should start by identifying which types of hazardous materials are present in their buildings. From there, they can develop a plan for proper disposal of the materials, such as recycling or sending them to a hazardous waste facility. When dealing with oil well abandonment on your property, using special services to dispose of oil-based materials is essential. Ensure you are dealing with licensed companies for all hazardous waste disposal tasks to prevent potential contamination of the environment.

Install Solar Panels

Solar panels are an excellent way for hotels to reduce their environmental impact while providing cost savings. Installing solar panels can help hotels generate clean, renewable energy that can be used to power the hotel's appliances and lighting. Not only does this reduce the hotel's reliance on traditional electricity sources, but it can also help them save money on their electricity bills. Solar panels are low-maintenance and require minimal upkeep, making them an excellent long-term investment for eco-friendly hotels.

Donate

You can donate items from your property, such as furniture and linens that are no longer needed, towels, bedding, and even food items. Many organizations accept donations of these kinds of materials and use them to help others in need. You can also donate money to eco-friendly causes or partner with local organizations actively working towards a more sustainable future. For instance, you could support a nearby wildlife conservation project by providing monetary donations or offering special discounts for guests who visit the site. You could also provide volunteer opportunities for your staff members at green community events or local clean-up initiatives.

Hotels can make many eco-friendly changes to reduce their environmental impact. By implementing the above practices, hotels can contribute towards a greener future for all. 

Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy that works side by side with hotels and resorts to jumpstart their green transition.

Want to know how Sea Going Green can get you started on your sustainability journey? Let’s talk.