Environmentally Friendly Tourism: How Hotels Are Reducing Plastic Waste

The appeal of new destinations has always been a strong motivator for travelers. However, in recent years, people have become more aware of tourism's environmental impact. Since air travel is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, sustainable tourism practices have become essential to minimize ecological footprint. 

A hotel with 200 rooms uses up a staggering 300,000 pieces of single-use plastic in a single month. Plastic consumption takes a toll on the environment and contributes significantly to pollution.

One of the most significant sources of plastic waste in hotels comes from single-use water bottles. While some hotels have committed to refilling glass bottles, others have opted for water bottle-filling stations to provide guests with a sustainable alternative. 

Some companies offer sensor-activated filling stations, cutting off water flow to prevent wastage. These stations can display how many plastic water bottles have been saved. 

Despite these measures, single-use plastics remain to be a problem. That’s why California banned hotels from utilizing single-use plastics.

The legislation, which took effect on January 1, 2023, prohibits hotels with over 50 rooms from providing guests with single-use plastic bottles for bathroom essentials. Smaller hotels are expected to comply with the ban by 2024. 

By targeting single-use plastic bottles offered frequently to guests, the bill was seen as a way to curb plastic waste and inspire sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.

In addition to the statewide ban, the bill allows local agencies to enforce the legislation through hotel room inspections. 

Lodging establishments failing to meet the requirements face penalties of USD 500 for the first violation and USD 2,000 for subsequent violations each year. Strict enforcement encourages hoteliers to adopt sustainable alternatives, making ecotourism destinations more appealing to guests who want to reduce their environmental impact.

Taking initiative

As a response to California’s ban, major hotel companies have committed to reduce their environmental impact by setting targets and creating initiatives to manage plastic use. Here are some of them: 

• Hyatt Hotels 

The hotel company now use recyclable food containers, and plastic straws and drink picks are no longer given automatically. Furthermore, many of the company’s resorts offer refillable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles at check-in.  

• Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)

IHG implemented a standard that involved the replacement of toiletries with larger, bulk-sized toiletries. Additionally, the company has stopped using plastic straws in its hotels. 

• Six Senses

One of the hotel chain’s key initiatives is bottling water on-site to significantly reduce the use of plastic water bottles. Additionally, Six Senses is actively replacing plastic straws with eco-friendly options like paper, bamboo, and lemongrass. 

Embracing its "Earth Lab" initiative, the company follows a strict zero-waste policy, ensuring that all materials find new purposes and are not discarded as waste.

What you can do

It's advisable to limit the use of plastic items during your travels. Kelley Louise, the executive director of Impact Travel Alliance, a community for eco-conscious travelers, suggests bringing your own shampoo and conditioner to reduce plastic waste. 

Using bar products also makes traveling more convenient as there's no need to worry about leaks or liquids during airport security checks. You can also consider reusable containers or find other ways to avoid plastic usage in hotel rooms. 

For example, bring a reusable water bottle to avoid using plastic water bottles or cups provided by the hotel you’ll stay in. 

With the hospitality industry taking significant strides towards sustainability, a future of plastic-free travel and truly eco-friendly accommodation is within reach. By supporting these efforts and being mindful of our choices, we can collectively preserve the beauty of our planet for generations to come.