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5 Important Ways for Hospitality Properties to Reduce Use of Plastic

5 Ways to Reduce Plastic

Sustainability continues to remain a hot topic in the hospitality industry including the usage of plastic.  More and more people are becoming aware of their impact on the environment and are continuously looking for ways to promote a positive difference in the world and to support businesses that are putting in the extra effort to take care of the planet.  One of the substances causing the most harm to the environment is plastic.  Think of all the products wrapped in plastic that you see while walking in stores.  This plastic ends up in forests, rivers, oceans, etc, and causes harmful effects on the creatures living in those ecosystems.  Many properties in hospitality have begun noticing the issue and are beginning to take the necessary steps to fix the issue.  The following lists five different ways to reduce the amount of plastic being used in your property.

Eliminate Plastic Cups and Straws

Plastic straws are an extremely common product in the hospitality industry and cause many hazards to the environment.  A lot of plastic straws cannot be reused or recycled because of their chemical composition, and they are so lightweight that they won’t make it through an automated recycling sorter.  Luckily, there are options to help fix this issue.  Transitioning drinkware to the use of glass or stainless-steel cups and eliminating the use of straws is one way to help.  There are also biodegradable paper options that guests can use instead.

Bathroom Amenities

                 EcoPods

There are a lot of amenities that guests can find useful in the bathroom.  Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, vanity kits, toothbrushes, etc.  A large majority of these amenities have been contained in plastic bottles over the years.  These amenities are constantly being replenished between each stay, accumulating a lot of plastic waste.  Other businesses have noticed this issue and are starting to develop new ways of containing amenities that are free of plastic.  InnStyle offers a highly sustainable product called EcoPods.  Instead of plastic, the packaging is made with bamboo, sugarcane, and wood fibers while being printed with soy-based ink.  Along with offering environmentally friendly products, properties can also place a sign in the guest rooms stating that there are extra amenities like razors or shower caps available down at the front desk.  It’s common for guests to pack their own razors anyway, so there’s no need to waste plastic on products like that when only a few guests may actually use them.

Remove Plastic Laundry Bags

Mesh Laundry Bag

A lot of properties offer plastic laundry bags as an amenity for their guests.  These products are not only bad for the environment, but they also can be a large expense as they are constantly being offered for each day just like the amenity bottles.  A better solution for the environment and for the budget would be to offer cotton laundry bags.  After each guest uses them, these cotton bags can be easily thrown into a washing machine and then reused.

Use Biodegradable Trash Bags

Most trash bags are created using plastic because they are lightweight and sturdy.  The problem is that everyone produces trash, so there is a great demand for garbage bags.  However, plastic bags are extremely slow at decomposing, so they will just sit in landfills.  One temporary alternative is to have your property use trash bags that are made with biodegradable plastics which will disintegrate much more rapidly than ordinary plastic.  However, the best option for your property is to incorporate composting as a way of throwing out garbage.  Composting is the natural way of recycling organic materials, such as plants and food leftovers, that turn into fertilizer which can be used on soil and plants.  Plastic is a man-made material that can’t be broken down by bacteria and other organisms, so this is why it is so hard for it to decompose.  Natural methods like composting are the best way to remove leftover waste both for their budget and for the health of the planet.

Natural Fibers

Bamboo 1 Blend Sheets

Natural fibers are another important way that properties can reduce plastic.  Other types of linens, like polyester and synthetic fibers, are common, but they are produced with materials that are not biodegradable.  Also, natural fibers are known for being more sustainable because they are made with smaller amounts of chemicals, need less amounts of water for processing, and create fewer amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.  As a result, natural fibers will break down at a much faster rate.  Linens made with 100% cotton can decompose in as quickly as 5 weeks, while linens made with substances like polyester can take over 200 years to decompose and put harmful chemicals in the soil and the rest of the ecosystem.

InnStyle Has Options for Your Property

Many more people are looking to support businesses that are environmentally friendly and promote sustainability.  InnStyle has a wide range of organic products, including bedding, EcoPod amenities, and other all-natural cleaning products.  To make the search process easier for you, InnStyle has a Green Bedding section on their website where you can find products like sheets, duvet covers, blankets, and mattress pads.  If you have any questions about other ways your property can reduce plastic, how your property can become more environmentally friendly, or general hospitality questions, please call InnStyle and speak with one of their account managers.  They would be happy to assist you and offer their own insight.  InnStyle can be reached at 267-354-6020 or 800-877-4667.  Their website is https://www.innstyle.com/.