It should be no wonder that hotels have a large carbon footprint. Many environmental activists are working toward bringing awareness to the environmental impact of hotels, and most hotels are listening!
If you want to know more about the environmental impact of hotels and how to save money by going green, keep reading! Also, read our four ways that your hotel can reduce its carbon footprint!
Environmental Impact of Hotels
Water Usage
Hotels often use a substantial amount of water every single day. Most hotels use most of their water by performing laundry duties and kitchen tasks. In the kitchen, washing dishes and cooking meals require a lot of unused water. With many rooms in a hotel comes many linens, sheets, rags, and pillows. Numerous hotels will wash sheets and other linens every day.
Energy Usage
Hotels try their best to keep their guests entertained and comfortable. With this being said, you will typically find music, several televisions, and other power-sinks in the lobby alone! Not only does the lobby’s entertainment cause an influx in energy, but temperature management plays a large role as well. Each room has access to heating and air conditioning, which can cause a spike in electricity.
Single-Use Item Usage
When you stay at a hotel, it is complementary to find toiletries in your kitchenettes and bathrooms. Small, single-use toiletries often end up in a landfill over time. Another single-use item found in your hotel suite is plastic key cards. Many hotels suggest throwing away your cards at the end of your stay. Also, newspapers and pamphlets are usually thrown away instead of recycled.
Invasion of Ecosystems
As hotels continue to expand, they must disrupt nature to build. Animals lose their homes and ecosystems are disturbed when hotels build new additions.
Money Saved By Going Green
Money Saved By Changing Your Lighting
Hotels that use Solar PV can save money because they can convert sunlight directly into electricity. Also, many hotels are choosing LED bulbs over traditional light bulbs because LEDs can use 75% less energy, and they last longer! Not only do they last longer, but they are low-maintenance too.
Money Saved By Changing Your Energy Sources
Many hotels are choosing to upgrade their appliances and devices to reduce their overall costs. Newer appliances come equipped with energy-efficient modes. For example, sensors and timers can lessen the use of lights, heating systems, and air conditioning systems. To replace energy-draining heat systems, some hotels are choosing solar thermal systems to convert sunlight directly into heat.
Money Saved By Changing Your Water Usage
To save money, some hotels are implementing low-water laundry machines and toilet tank diverters; this saves money and water! Hotels that have chosen to use low-pressure showerheads are also reducing the amount of water, as well as costs. All are easy ways to save money by going green.
Four Ways Hotels Can Reduce Their Carbon Footprint
1. Inform Guests and Staff Members
Leaving helpful tips for guests and visitors is a great way to integrate eco-friendly habits. Send instruction emails (a great alternative to paper brochures) for guests on recycling, reusing, and reducing their carbon footprint. It is vital to make recycling easily accessible for guests, as well. Encourage guests to reuse towels and linens so that you can save water and make linens last longer by not doing laundry every day.
By informing your guests and staff members of your plan to go green, you can encourage them to turn off lights, lessen their use of HVAC, and be aware of their energy-draining habits. Staff members may appreciate incentives to go green as well!
2. Install Energy-Saving Devices
Hotels can install energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances. You can also reach out to a trusted lighting company, such as GCE National, and request items such as energy sensors, automatic lights, timed bulbs, and more!
After installing timed bulbs and energy sensors, you are sure to see a difference in your energy consumption. Lights can automatically turn off if there is no movement in a room; this will not hinder your guests or staff.
3. Change Your Energy Source and Lights
Change your lighting to reduce the carbon footprint of your hotel. For illustrative purposes, LED bulbs are extremely energy-efficient. Using energy-efficient bulbs can reduce your carbon footprint and overall costs! Likewise, looking into renewable energy sources can lower your electricity bill and be eco-friendly! Examples of renewable energy sources are as follows: geothermal, hydropower, nuclear, wind, solar energy.
4. Talk to a Lighting Expert
GCE National offers many bulbs, fixtures, accessories, and energy-saving devices! Not only do they offer items to purchase, but also the expertise of their lighting knowledge.
