There’s a general truth in the fact that most trends fade away and you’d be wise not to follow the herd blindly. However, one trend continues to stay its pace and is proving to be a decisive factor when it comes to attracting more customers for your business – going green. Many businesses have already started employing eco-friendly practices, such as hotels with smart showers, sustainable fabrics and solar-power alternatives. And in the wake of COVID-19, even more are adapting to appeal to the new wave of conscious-living customers.

Having worked on green hotel projects such as ParkRoyal on Pickering Street, we’ve taken our learnings then to share with you now. And here’s the first tip: going green doesn’t mean having to change everything at once. Starting small is a great way to get your foot into the space of green initiatives and customers will appreciate them all the same. Read on to learn more simple sustainable tips and strategies that can be slowly incorporated into your hotel.

CUT OUT PLASTIC

This first step is the simplest one to make, with no big changes to your existing processes. Reducing plastic use can be introduced through simple things like replacing single-use items with refillable or reusable products. You can start with the small stuff first – like using reusable branded water bottles with refilling stations instead of plastic water bottles, or using refillable toiletries and sustainably packaged products instead of plastic soap bottles. You can even upgrade from using plastic keycards to smart keyless options such as pin entry. And these are great measures to reinforce your sustainable image for potential customers.

TURN RECYCLING INTO A HABIT

Little actions make a big difference. And it’s the same with recycling. Introducing protocols to recycle more might give your employees slightly more to do, but when a proper system is in place, it becomes a daily habit that is easily sustained. You can start with training the housekeeping staff to separate and categorise waste, and place visible recycling bins and signages around the hotel space for guests to play their part. All parties will feel involved in their green acts and it’s an easy way to give them a slight sense of satisfaction. It might even cut costs for waste disposal!

MAKE GREEN DECISIONS

When it comes to furnishing, collaborations, or even internal processes, you’ll find that there are plenty of green decisions to be made. Working with green partners such as partnering with food rescue programs for leftover/unused food, or even reviewing internal processes to reduce paper products and office supplies will reflect the overall sustainable image of the hotel. So will choosing eco-friendly furniture materials and interior decorations – find out which materials are best suited for your business on a free consultation with us here.

IT PAYS TO BE GREEN IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

Here’s the real secret. Most of these options are not only economical in the long run but become an added reason for customers to stay in your hotel. It’s a win-win for your business as long as you avoid over-exaggerating on your sustainable efforts and, instead, find ways to introduce them step by step. We’re here to provide furnishing solutions to help you on that journey. Contact us here for a free consultation or leave a comment to let us know your take on sustainability and eco-friendly business practices. Let’s go green together.

16 October 2020