The Most Common Eco-Friendly Hotel Initiatives

10 "Green" Hotel Trends Every Event Planner Should Know About

Hotel room with a view
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Environmental concerns and the popularity of eco-friendly practices like green meetings continue to increase. As these issues become more central, it's important for meeting and event planners to continually expand their own knowledge of sustainability, particularly as it relates to the venues, vendors, and work of other event services professionals.

One such topic is that of eco-friendly or "green" hotel initiatives. Many hotels, from the budget-friendly to the luxurious, are taking steps to make their practices more sustainable. Understanding these sustainable initiatives in the hospitality industry can offer ​event planners more to consider when selecting hotels for their clients' programs, whether as a venue for the event itself or as the choice for overnight accommodations for out-of-town guests.

Introduction to Sustainable Hotel Practices

Vail Resorts, which includes RockResorts, for instance, has undertaken a grand commitment to decrease its environmental footprint and increase the sustainability of the services it offers. Just a few years ago, RockResorts, along with its director of environmental affairs, decided upon 10 initiatives to adopt within Vail Resorts’ hotels and properties as a starting point for sustainable practices. These 10 eco-friendly initiatives have since become the norm for hotels looking to offer more sustainable services.

Energy Conservation

Whether in central operations such as boilers, or with lighting systems, kitchen equipment, and automated energy management systems, hotels globally are working to reduce energy use while sustaining—and, whenever possible, enhancing—the guest experience.

Water Conservation

Within guest rooms, laundries, kitchens, pools, and spas, hotels continue to implement efficiencies that reduce water and, in many cases, chemicals that are used to treat water systems and clean facilities. Efforts range from the linen and towel reuse programs that are now an industry standard to the installation of low-flow faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures.

Recycling and Waste Reduction

With the limited exception of domestic hotels, recycling programs for the basics such as newspapers and beverage containers are becoming a basic expectation. In combination with recycling efforts, hotels are looking for opportunities to reduce the use of paper and other disposables. Hotels and resorts that are able to go further and implement food waste composting programs can demonstrate upwards of 40% to 50% of waste diverted from landfills.

Bath Amenities

Many hotels are making a statement by offering guests custom-formulated amenities. Resort companies such as RockResorts have taken it one step further with an all-natural, essential oil-based, custom-formulated product made without preservatives and artificial ingredients that is packaged in recyclable containers. Other midrange hotel brands are experimenting with bulk dispenser presentations.

Room Keys

Contemporary plastic key cards are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-based plastic which is part of a highly toxic manufacturing process. Many hotel companies are shifting to card options made from paper, wood, and bioplastic that are better for the environment but equally as durable.

Cleaning Products

Recognizing the importance of safer products for guests and employees as well as the environment, many hotels have shifted to cleaning products that are made with bio-based oils and other natural cleaners. By making the switch, they are reducing the use of products with chlorine bleach and petrochemical derivatives. These more natural products have proven performance, are less irritating to guests and employees, and less destructive to the environment.

Food Preparation

Local products, fresh, seasonal produce, and other ingredients are emerging as a significant focus of hotel food and beverage programs. A shift to more sustainably sourced and healthier cuisine offers travelers unique opportunities to experience a greater connection to the locations they are visiting.

Bottled Water Alternatives

In support of waste reduction and a higher-quality experience, many hotels are moving away from bottled water as the standard and offering unique hydration options for meeting attendees and independent travelers. Look for conveniently located filtered water dispensers, complimentary refillable bottles, and other options designed to offer guests convenient and palatable alternatives to water in plastic bottles.

Menu Selection

Hotels and resorts are integrating more and more selections in menus of all types that integrate organic produce, hormone-free meats and dairy, and other natural products that offer guests healthier food selections.

Spas

A growing trend with all types of spas is the integration of treatments that feature local and indigenous ingredients as well as natural and organic products. Similarly, unique brand and resort signature treatments are emerging to truly offer guests a special connection to the destination.

The Bottom Line

From property-wide initiatives to guest rooms, food and beverage, or spas, event planners should be asking their hotels about what specific efforts are being made to be more sustainable. These trends in hospitality can help planners to make more informed choices.