Now, more than ever, travelers have their eyes on sustainable accommodations when making travel plans. Furthermore, cleaning and hygiene also have been at the top of consumers’ minds since the pandemic began—nearly eight in 10 Americans drastically increased their handwashing frequency from six to 15 times per day. As a result, hospitality properties should find ways to marry sustainable practices with increased cleaning and hygiene measures to meet travelers’ new away-from-home expectations.
Room for Improvement: Defining Environmental Goals
Before a hotel makes the switch to sustainable cleaning and hygiene practices, it is important to first outline environmental goals. When developing these objectives, target the property’s pain points when it comes to environmental issues like plastic pollution or water consumption. Additional examples include reducing food waste or decreasing the amount of energy used.
One of the world’s biggest environmental issues is the rise in plastic pollution—every year, 11 million metric tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean. What’s more, travelers are increasingly mindful of the environment, and 48 percent admit to getting frustrated that hotels inhibit their at-home sustainability practices, like not having adequate recycling facilities. In fact, plastic pollution is the No. 1 concern among the public for restoring ocean health, and 81 percent expect all types of businesses to lead the fight in reducing plastic pollution.
Since the pandemic began, 46 percent of travelers wish to travel more sustainably in the future, according to Booking.com. The hospitality industry can help make a difference in the area of plastic pollution and other environmental issues by implementing sustainable practices. Better still, when business leaders have defined their organization’s sustainability goals and followed through with these agendas, they have increased their annual revenues by almost 25 percent.
Rethinking Your Property’s Public Restrooms
Today’s guests are more aware of hotel cleanliness than ever before, and many also want to see sustainability in action. Thus, hospitality managers must focus on spaces in their properties that can present challenges in both areas: restrooms. Restrooms, especially those in shared areas like lobbies, restaurants and pools, are high-traffic environments that must be well maintained and strategically designed in order to limit cleanliness lapses and environmental waste.
There are several best practices that properties can implement to support clean, sustainable restrooms. For example, consider adding touch-free options—sink faucets and toilet handles can have 17,976 and 107 germs per 10 square centimeters, respectively. There are also water-saving options like low-flow faucets and water efficient toilets and automatic paper towel dispensers that help reduce waste. Some paper dispensers even allow management to customize the length of paper towel sheets to reduce overuse. Others are constructed from durable plastics derived from recycled fishing nets from the ocean, thereby furthering a property’s commitment to the environment.
Meanwhile, incorporating toilet paper that helps reduce the risk of toilet clogs ensures guests won’t be greeted with foul odors and unsightly and unsanitary messes. This type of toilet paper functions by activating safe, environmentally friendly enzymes when it comes in contact with water. The enzymes degrade organic substances, thereby helping to keep pipes clear and limiting the hygiene risks and costs associated with toilet clogs.
Lastly, cleaning with safe, nontoxic chemicals, in restrooms and throughout the other areas of the property, supports better indoor air quality while still addressing today’s pathogens concerns.
Clearly Communicating Commitment
Unfortunately, although 75 percent of hospitality properties surveyed worldwide have put sustainability initiatives in place, only about one-third (31 percent) are proactive in sharing their efforts with guests. To ensure visitors and employees understand the positive impact of your efforts, it’s important to communicate it clearly. You can do so by:
- Making cleaning visible. To help visitors feel comfortable, incorporate cleaning shifts during the daytime for high touch points, like counters, door handles, elevator buttons and more.
- Incorporating digital signage. The digital signage market has seen exponential growth during the pandemic. This signage can easily communicate facts and updates about a property’s sustainability and cleaning practices.
- Asking for recommendations. Solicit sustainability recommendations and feedback on cleanliness from guests during or at the end of their stay. This shows travelers their perspective is important and highlights that your property is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact and maintaining the highest hygiene standards.
- Reducing paper waste. Going paperless at check-in desks and in rooms is another way to reduce the spread of germs and show guests a property is committed to minimizing waste. QR codes and digital signage can help communicate necessary information without the need for paper.
- Reducing plastic waste. Rather than greeting guests with a free bottle of water in their rooms, which can have a huge negative impact on the environment, encourage the use of reusable water bottles with water refill stations throughout your property.
Sustainable Cleaning for a Better Future
In the wake of the pandemic and the increased demand for hotels to be environmentally friendly, a more sustainable approach to cleanliness and hygiene is essential. Showing travelers your property is making a conscious effort in the areas of sustainability and cleanliness helps uphold guest satisfaction and peace of mind, secures repeat business and encourages positive word-of-mouth. In turn, your organization can strengthen brand reputation and the bottom line while also being confident that you are successfully supporting guest and employee health and safety as well as the planet.
Giorgia Giove is the marketing manager for Sofidel.