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EcoLuxe Products, Sustainable, plastic pollution, hotels, Sustainability, Chanelle Dupre

The hospitality industry is a big contributor to environmental pollution – specifically plastic pollution. According to an estimate, hotels around the globe produce 289,700 tons of waste each year. A recent study finds that hotels in the US contribute nearly $660 billion to the GDP annually, showcasing the breadth of how gigantic this industry is and how colossal their environmental impact could be. Public awareness and growing conscience about sustainability has put pressure on hoteliers to change their practices.

Every minute a garbage truck loaded with single use plastic ends up being dumped into our oceans. Plastic straws, commonly used in hotels are among the top 10 debris found in our oceans. An example of this impact was the story of the turtle Olive Ridley that died due to a straw stuck in his nostrils.

Changing Attitude toward Eco-friendly Initiatives

For years, hotels supplied their rooms and guests with single-use plastics in the bathroom, in the bars and the restaurants.  However because of the growing trend and attitude towards supporting “green hotels”, many are making the switch to more eco-friendly practices. As a way to differentiate themselves from others in the industry and attract the more eco-conscious traveler, hotels are implementing greener initiatives. Seventy eight percent of US travelers consider themselves “environmentally cautious” and expect the hotels they choose to have an ecologically safe footprint. This would require hotels to manage and operate along environmental lines, reduce, recycle and manage waste while conserving energy.

Seventy eight percent of US travelers consider themselves “environmentally cautious” and expect the hotels they choose to have an ecologically safe footprint.

Toiletries as Disposable Single Use Products 

Hotels need to become more eco-efficient in delivering services and goods while minimizing ecological impact to the planet. While with good intention, hotels that equip each room with branded toiletries for guests for their convenience and as a token to remember their stay, contribute to the environmental problem. From qtips to shampoo bottles, plastic toothbrushes to laundry bags, from plastic key cards to plastic water bottles – all of these pollutants will take hundreds of years to decompose naturally. 

These single use plastics do not generally make it to the landfill or recycling. Thirty-two percent of the seventy-eight million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow its way into our mighty oceans. This trend is expected to increase to such an extent until 2030 that there will be less fish in the oceans than plastic. According to the World Health Organization, 2 million partially used soap bars are thrown away from the US every day.

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Hotel Restaurants’ Contribution to Environmental Plastic Pollution 

Hotel restaurants are also playing an increasingly threatening role in endangering the environment. With daily usage and consumption of products such as plastic straws, stir sticks, plastic cutlery, disposable cups, water bottles, styro foam food packaging, sachet and pouches used for condiments, the earth will quickly become overwhelmed. As a surprising fact, only fourteen percent of the global plastic packaging material is recycled and only two percent of it is reused. This is leading to clogging of waterways, eco-toxicology, death of species and visual pollution.

Plastic bags do not make it to the landfill and if they do, they take five hundred years or more to degrade in a landfill and might also cause leakage of the landfill. At least two hundred sixty seven different species of animals have been affected by plastic worldwide. Plastic has been found in the stomach of dead animals, wrapped around them and washed up on the remotest of islands.

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Biodegradable Bamboo Alternatives to Consider

With the deadly impact plastics and other non-biodegradable products have on living things and on the plant, there is growing pressure to move towards greener initiatives and practices. These changes include substituting non-biodegradable products with more eco-friendly ones. Examples of biodegradable alternatives include bamboo based cutlery, packaging and recycled paper products. To make a positive impact on the carbon footprint, hoteliers must make ecologically responsible purchasing decisions by working with sustainable local suppliers.

Hoteliers can still offer the same level of service and experience for their guest with eco-friendly products and with this new offering, they may even stand out above the rest. It is imperative that they start to make their changes now because after all,  “We have no planet B”.

Learn more about alternative biodegradable bamboo products for your business.

 

 

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2 thoughts on “Plastic Pollution Caused by Single Use Hotel Supplies

  • Jamill BeachFebruary 16, 2021 at 5:13 am

    It is an excellent attempt. If we want to enjoy the beauty of nature, we must strive for its sustainability. We need to draw a line between luxury and necessity when it comes to utilizing biodegradable plastic materials. Thanks for such a helpful read!

  • Shana ChinOctober 5, 2021 at 4:49 am

    Greetings,

    Excellent article!

    I want to add that if a single non-biodegradable plastic piece takes about 500 years for dissolution, what are we leaving behind for our upcoming generations! Just a worthless life on this planet! This would be a bad contribution for the next generation.

    Keep adding to people’s knowledge through our hard work!

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