~by Lillian Connors~
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According to a recent report, green hotels have become the most popular option when it comes to choosing accommodations. In fact, every fourth person in America will consciously search for green accommodations in order to make their travels more eco-friendly. That being said, it’s no wonder that green accommodation businesses are popular among entrepreneurs. It turns out that going green isn’t just good for the planet, but for your entrepreneurial spirit, too.
So, if you’re interested – here are several things to consider when starting up a green accommodation business.
Waste management
Recycling is the first thing that crosses anyone’s mind when eco-friendliness is mentioned, and it really is one of the most important values to promote in your green business. You can start by providing every room with recycling baskets for different types of waste so the sorting process can start as early as possible. Don’t forget to put bins in all other areas of your hotel.
Try to opt for recycled materials as much as possible. After all, that’s the best way to set up an example both for your guests and your employees. Of course, the most important thing is to put an effort into minimizing waste production completely. So buy in bulk whatever you can to minimize packaging, and avoid disposable items whenever you can.
Keep your maintenance green
The way you clean your green hotel matters too – green cleaning products and practices are a must for every responsible accommodation business owner. The same goes for paint and pesticides – keep it healthy and natural and not only will you protect the environment, but also the health of your guests and employees. The air inside your facilities will be cleaner as well, so there’s literally no downside here.
Also, don’t forget that your maintenance staff is your greatest ally in the process of keeping your accommodation business green. Instead of calling them only when something gets broken, try to encourage them to work to prevent problems since this is the most important thing in sustainability. Your staff should monitor your energy and water usage and constantly work on improvements in terms of efficiency and sustainability.
Always reuse
Linen reuse programs are becoming common in many green accommodations, and many guests will be more than happy to cooperate on this one. Just make sure you hang a sign saying that sheets and towels should be used more than once, and watch this water and time-saving measure work like a charm.
Furthermore, when equipping your facility, you can reuse your old beds and mattresses and thus save a ton of money and avoid contributing to the landfills. It takes over 20 years for a mattress to decompose, so if you have to purchase new ones, make sure they’re durable and recyclable. With this in mind, you should learn about best mattresses for the money and choose the ones that will complement your eco-business perfectly.
Save water and energy
Low-flow shower heads and toilets and sink aerators are just some of the things you can install in your accommodation facility in order to reduce water usage. These updates will provide your guests with sufficient comfort, save water, and reduce your water bills at the same time.
The same goes for energy efficiency – employing a building energy management system to give you an overview of the energy consumed throughout your premises might be just the thing for your green business. Switch to LED lighting, use drapes or window films to reduce heating and cooling bills, opt for energy efficient appliances, and, most importantly – educate your guests and staff on making the most of it.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a part of your business strategy or an act of altruism, sustainability really is leading the pack in accommodation business. Besides, it’s a responsible thing to do and beneficial to the planet, so why not give it a shot and start your own green accommodation business?
Meet the Author: Lillian Connors
As the Co-Editor of BizzMarkBlog, Lillian Connors believes that the question of business goes far beyond the maximization of profit through different money-grabbing ploys. Instead, she likes to think that ethical principles should be at the core of every commercial venture, paving the way for much more balanced distribution of wealth on a global scale.
You can check her out on LinkedIn.
