Managing sustainability challenges in hospitality

According to Deloitte, hotels have many proven ways to minimize environmental impact, with emerging innovative technologies further advancing sustainability efforts

Deloitte's 2023 Sustainable Consumer survey highlighted a trend of consumers increasingly avoiding purchases in sectors like hospitality due to ethical or sustainability concerns. This underscores the mounting pressure on the hospitality industry to mitigate its environmental footprint and champion sustainable practices.

According to Deloitte, the hospitality industry already has multiple proven, scalable opportunities to help minimize environmental impact - and innovative programs and technologies are emerging across the industry.

Key takeaways

• Energy efficiency: Hotel operators are moving beyond room occupancy sensors, weatherstripping, LED lighting replacements and making the leap to automated energy management systems;
• Renewable energy: In addition to onsite solar and wind generation, some hotels are exploring geothermal, biofuel and hydrogen fuel cell technology;
• Water usage: Hotels are conserving water by using a combination of low-flow faucets toilets and showerheads, smart irrigation controllers, and continuous-batch washing machines;
• Waste management: Many hotels are eliminating single-use plastics, using biodigesters to help process food waste, donating excess edible food, using waste data to inform right-sized portions and menus, recycling, and using on- or offsite composting;
• Chemical usage: Many hotel operators have made the switch to nontoxic, environmentally friendly biodegradable chemicals in housekeeping and other areas;
• Sustainable sourcing: Efforts focused on seasonal ingredients, onsite gardens, and local supplier partnerships can help reduce supply chain complexity and cut emissions.

Get the full story at Deloitte