Hospitality can make this Earth day count.

Earth Day, is observed on April 22nd each year, it is a global call to action for environmental protection and sustainability. Since its inception in 1970, it has been pivotal in raising awareness and driving collective actions towards sustainable practices. The theme for Earth Day 2024, "Planet vs. Plastics, focuses on the urgent issue of plastic pollution. This years Earth day aims to mobilise students, parents, businesses, governments, and NGOs to significantly reduce plastic use to protect both human health and the planet’s well-being.

For a better understanding of Earth Day and its significance, watch this video:

Given the pervasive impact of plastic pollution, especially in our oceans, rivers and food chain, this theme is particularly relevant for the hospitality industry. Our Industry often relies heavily on plastics for various parts of our operations from single use items to FFE & OSE&E . As hotels, restaurants and bar businesses we need to focus on reducing plastics through out our whole value chain working to find alternatives from our suppliers, employees and guests, this can be achieved by speaking with suppliers and through education, and creating local initiatives to increase awareness.

Integrating sustainability into your operations with a focus on scope 3 of the GHG for hotels, restaurants, and bars is crucial not only for mitigating environmental impacts but also for ensuring long-term economic stability our industry, its resources, the well being of our guests and employees and that of our planet and its other inhabitants.

Addressing Scope 3 Emissions in the Hospitality Industry

Scope 3 emissions encompass all indirect emissions associated with a company’s activities. These emissions are significant in the hospitality due to its extensive supply chain structure and its reliance on a variety of goods and services in operating hotels.

Supply Chain for Food and Beverages:

This includes emissions from the production, transportation, and disposal of food and beverage products. Reducing plastic packaging used in these products can significantly decrease waste. Speak with your suppliers and get agreement to move away from plastics and ask how they dispose of their plastics.

Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FFE) and Operating Supplies & Equipment (OS&E):

The production, transportation, and disposal of these items often involve significant amounts of plastic, which can be minimised by choosing sustainable alternatives particularly in replacements , refurbishments or new builds. I have seen some hotel environmental certification bodies insisting on removal of existing plastic in use such as table decorative plants without giving proper disposal information. Please make sure you ask them how to dispose of properly.

Procured Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services:

These services often use plastics in packaging and I would recommend that if you have not done so already switch to bulk dispensing systems or refillable solutions for the detergents to reduce plastic waste. Don't forget to make sure the detergents are eco friendly.

Guest Transportation and Travel Services:

Offers an opportunity to reduce single use items by moving to a digital platform over paper or laminated tickets.

Waste Management:

Making sure your appointed waste disposal company does actually properly sort, recycling, and contributes to reducing plastic and that they simply do not send to other countries where it then ends up being dumped in their rivers and oceans over being disposed of properly.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and Plastic Reduction

An eye-opening example of the need for action against plastic pollution is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive area in the Pacific Ocean where plastic debris accumulates. Projects like the Ocean Cleanup initiative are working to address this, and their efforts can be seen in the video below. I was blown away by the amount of plastic they are pulling from the ocean.

This initiative highlights the importance of reducing plastic usage and disposing of plastics properly through having a trackable waste management system.

Earth Day 2024: A must Call to Action

This Earth Day, hospitality businesses have a unique opportunity to lead by example in the fight against plastic pollution. By committing to reduce plastic use in their operations, businesses can make a substantial impact. Starting with manageable changes, like replacing single-use plastics with sustainable alternatives or enhancing recycling practices, can lead to significant environmental and economic benefits.

My Challenge to you

As Earth Day 2024 approaches, let it be a catalyst for your hospitality business to expand its environmental efforts, particularly in reducing plastic usage with a greater focus of working towards managing Scope 3 emissions. Why not set some low hanging fruit goals? Sharing your hotel , restaurant and bar initiatives including its successes which can boost our industries image and inspire others across our value chain and our stakeholders to undertake similar efforts. Embrace this challenge and make this Earth Day count by initiating impactful changes in your operational practices.

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