Over the last few years there has been a marked increase in the number of people around the world that have become conscious of the way they travel, and who wish to tread more lightly on the Earth. While it used to be the case that opting for sustainable accommodation meant sleeping in a tent or paying through the nose for an eco-hotel or resort, these days many luxurious yet affordable options are available.
More and more accommodation providers across the globe are spending time, money and effort to design and operate lodgings that are environmentally-friendly. Read on for five key things to consider when choosing your next hotel stay, no matter where you might be traveling to in the world.
1. Energy Usage
A good way to get a feel for a hotel or resort’s sustainability level is to enquire about its energy consumption. Power usage levels are one of the biggest areas where lodgings can not only help the environment, but also save themselves money. As a result, this tends to be the first area that many look to address. Indeed, according to a report compiled by international electricity and gas provider National Grid, a hotel chain in Canada worked with its local utility firm to implement a number of energy improvements that saved the company a significant amount of money. All up, the changes saved the equivalent of the revenue taken for 3,500 room bookings — certainly not chump change over the long term. These savings are usually passed on to hotel visitors by means of lower prices for higher-end hotel rooms. If you want to save money on your next vacation, use a site like Flights.com to book your flight, and choose hotels that are eco-friendly to get the most savings.
While there are a number of ways for accommodation providers to reduce energy usage, the best solution tends to be through operational improvements. For example, a conversion to solar power is a great way to save on energy consumption, and has proven to be a growing trend in the industry. Lodgings can also save power by installing more eco-friendly light bulbs; incorporating low-energy appliances in rooms, kitchens, and laundries; introducing key cards that must be inserted before power comes on in hotel rooms; and utilizing motion sensor and/or timer-operated lighting throughout buildings.
2. Materials Used
Another key element to consider when booking your hotel accommodations is the materials used in the construction of the buildings, as well as in the decorating. Owners and managers that carefully consider all of the materials used in the hotel build as well as in day-to-day operations can take advantage of some of the latest, and most economical, sustainable design practices.
For example, during the build phase, eco-friendly materials such as fast-growing bamboo or recycled timbers can be used instead of purchasing virgin timber. These same materials can also be used throughout buildings for fixtures and fittings such as bench tops, railings, tables and more.
In addition, when it comes time to purchase frequently-used items such as linen, towels, and bathroom amenities, management can choose those made from recycled, organic, or natural materials, like organic cotton, jute, hemp, bamboo, or biodegradable materials. Similarly, better choices can also be made when it comes to cleaning equipment and kitchen supplies. Hotels can use non-toxic, chemical-free cleaners which is better for both the environment and people’s health.
3. Waste Levels
The level of waste in hotels and resorts is another area that can be significantly altered for increased sustainability. While most lodgings have an extremely high level of consumption and send a lot of waste to the landfill, more eco-friendly hotels choose to look carefully at what, and how much, they buy. Hotels that provide recycling and compost bins in their facilities are able to reduce waste, as are those that put effort into menu planning and operational efficiencies in their kitchens.
Similarly, a lot of waste accumulates from the use of excessive disposable items like toiletries. Accommodation providers can look at using liquid dispensers instead of cakes of soap, as well as opt for all-in-one or reusable products rather than lots of separate items. Leftover waste can be more effectively dealt with by being recycled, composted, or given away, rather than being sent to the landfill.
4. Water Usage
Water usage is another area where hotels tend to have very high rates of consumption, especially when you consider the amount of laundry that needs to be cleaned each week. Lodgings that have a sustainable focus encourage their guests to re-use linen and towels rather than requiring new ones each day. They can also ensure that leaking taps or toilets are dealt with in a timely manner, and that reduced-flush or twin-flushing toilets, and water-saving showerheads are utilized in bathrooms.
5. Focus on Continuous Improvement
For a hotel to be environmentally friendly, the operators also need to have a focus on continuous improvement, especially as the number of available sustainable technologies, products, and materials rises. The most eco-friendly of accommodation providers will be committed to researching the latest and greatest earth-friendly practices on a continuous basis so that they can take advantage of new developments.
One Response
It’s inspiring to see how many accommodation providers are now committed to sustainability and taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. Your five key things to consider when choosing a hotel stay are all excellent points, and it’s great to know that even luxury accommodations can be eco-friendly and affordable. The examples you provided, such as using solar power and recycled materials, are practical solutions that can have a big impact on reducing energy consumption and waste.