10 Plastic-Free Swaps: How Hotels Can Lead the Way for Plastic-Free

The Plastic-Free July movement has gained worldwide recognition as an effective initiative to raise awareness about plastic pollution and inspire individuals and businesses to reduce their plastic consumption.

Hotels, being an integral part of the hospitality industry, can make a significant impact by actively participating in and promoting the Plastic-Free July movement. By aligning their operations with this global campaign, hotels can leverage this movement as a catalyst for change and actively engage in plastic reduction efforts.

A 200-room hotel uses around 300,000 bits of single-use plastic every month, which is equal to 50 bits per day, with plenty of opportunities to right-size. Also, a study from UNEP has shown that less than 10% of the plastic waste is recycled.

For more on hotel waste and how to strategize for waste reduction, check out “Why Waste, and Why a Waste Audit“.

Plastic-Free July: An Opportunity for Change:

Plastic-Free July is an annual global movement encouraging individuals and businesses to refuse single-use plastics throughout July. The campaign focuses on raising awareness, providing resources, and empowering participants to make sustainable choices. 

Setting Plastic-Free Goals:

Hotels can use Plastic-Free July as an opportunity to set specific and measurable goals for reducing plastic waste. These goals may include eliminating certain single-use plastic items, implementing plastic-free alternatives, or reducing overall plastic consumption. By publicly sharing their goals, hotels can inspire guests, employees, and industry peers to join their sustainability journey. 

Several hotel chains are leading the way in committing to plastic-free operations. For example, Indian Hotels Companies Limited (IHCL), which includes brands such as TAJ hotels, has implemented a comprehensive two-phased plan to reduce plastics. Minor Hotels has committed to75% reduction in plastic by 2024 (baseline 2018), and are on track to achieve this goal.  John Roberts, Group Sustainability and Conservation Director, discusses these initiatives in our podcast episode “Leadership Strategies to Achieve Plastic Reduction”.

Reducing Single-Use Plastics (Top 10 swaps)

Food and Beverage 

1. Replace plastic straws with biodegradable or reusable options,
2. Offer refillable water stations or glass-bottled water,
3. Encourage guests to bring their reusable containers for takeout or leftovers.

Guest Rooms 

4. Swap plastic key card with other options,
5. Provide refillable toiletry dispensers,
6. Use biodegradable or reusable amenities, 
7. Eliminate plastic packaging for items such as slippers and laundry bags.

Events and Meetings: 

8. Offer plastic-free options for catering,
9. Recycle or Upcycle any plastic waste from the event,
10. Use reusable or compostable plates and cutlery and avoiding single-use water bottles.

Engaging Guests:

Communication: Hotels can inform guests about their participation in Plastic-Free July through pre-arrival emails, in-room signage, and digital platforms. These channels can educate guests about the hotel’s sustainability efforts and encourage their involvement in plastic reduction practices

Guest Involvement: Hotels can provide resources and suggestions for guests to participate in Plastic-Free July during their stay. This may include tips on using reusable water bottles, bringing their own shopping bags, or suggesting local plastic-free businesses and attractions.

Measuring and Celebrating Success:

Hotels should track and measure their progress during Plastic-Free July. Monitoring plastic waste reduction, conducting regular audits, and analyzing the results can help identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes. Sharing achievements with guests, employees, and the wider community reinforces the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and inspires others to take action. 

Our recent Gap Analysis at Millennium Place Hotels in Dubai included a study on Single-Use Plastic (SUP). It shows that hotels in our case study, comply in the range of 51% to 57%. We recommend creating a single-use plastics log; so items that are used often be targeted for replacement. Having a baseline supports tracking progress and communicating results. 

We encourage all our clients and partner hotels to track and measure their progress toward Plastic-Free July. Monitoring plastic waste reduction, conducting regular audits, and analyzing the results can help identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes. 

SUP-FREE Certification: 

There are also micro certifications named “SUF-FREE” to support and verify the journey towards plastic-free. More on that in our blog on “Hotel Certifications: Which One is Right For You“. We also had a sit-down with the founder of SUP-FREE certification and the “Travel Without Plastic” CEO and Founder Jo Hendrickx, in our Sustainability Stories Podcast. You can also listen to a General Manager of an IHG hotel, on a mission to run a Zero Plastic Hotel.

For more information and resources, check out:

• Single-Use Plastic Factsheet by World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
• Global Toursim Plastic Initiative
• SUP-FREE Micro Certification

By embracing Plastic-Free July, hotels can lead the way in sustainable hospitality and inspire a global movement towards a plastic-free future.