Up-cycling in the Hotel Industry

 

The Hospitality sector is undoubtedly a multi-billion dollar revenue earning industry with vivacious growth and incorporates a broad spectrum of services including   lodging, food and drink service, event planning, theme parks, and transportation. Being one of the most profitable industries, it often fails to meet the sustainable standards and ends up polluting the environment. As a result, several hoteliers are giving a thought to upscale their business standards by up-cycling, recycling and indulging in eco-friendly methods to make the hotel industry harmless for the planet.

Credits: businessinsider.com

Recently, the over usage of single-use plastics have been scrutinised. Their immense threat posed to flora and fauna have led to the governments, industries and common public to become more vigilant and take quick steps. The hospital industry is certainly not an exception in this case and is taking actions to upcycle these plastics. Various hotels, cafes and restaurants have replaced the single-use plastic bowls, cups, cutlery and straws with steel ones which can be re-used again and again. Some even opted for biodegradable alternatives such as cutleries and bowls made of cardboard and compostable polymer. An array of cafes has even chosen to serve their guests in dried sal leaf plates or areca leaf plates.

Credits: www.indiamart.com

The bed linens and pillow covers as well as curtains and table cloths in the hospitality industry are some of the spectacular ways in which this industry is creating a more sustainable sector. These tiny steps, accompanied with reducing waste from the start, will help to solve the pollution crisis and curb waste from landfills. The hotel industry has abundance of table covers, pillowcases, sheets, chair covers or bath towels, which if dirtied or stained are discarded.

Credits: bngkolkata.com

Multiple hotels have donated old linens for to the poor and needy but few others have started upcycling by creating cushion covers or t-shirts for donation purposes i.e. these are sold to raise funds. Several NGOs are coming forward to upcycle used linen or cloths from the hotel industries into clothing and home furnishings to raise money for schools. These initiatives are not only benefitting the NGOs but also helping the hotel industries to reduce the overflowing waste.

Various hotels and restaurants have given up the white tablecloths completely as it prevents the hotel industry from washing the linens frequently. This will lead to water consumption and thus promote sustainability.