Outcomes

By the end of this stage you will have achieved the following outcomes from the Pathway Framework:

Waste: Policy and initial action plan in place.

  • Data collection systems are in place.
  • A list of all waste streams within operations and can point out which are the most significant is available.
  • Initial waste reduction targets (including waste to landfill) have been achieved.
  • Possible waste reduction solutions and initiatives have been investigated, a long-term plan created and immediate solutions / initiatives have been implemented.
  • Signage and training for waste management initiatives in place.
  • Hazardous waste management plans are in place.
  • A policy that requires hotels to review and monitor potential sources of pollution from noise, light, runoff, erosion, ozone-depleting substances, and air, water and soil contaminants is in place.
  • A food waste policy that includes education, food waste prevention, reduction, recycling, and disposal is in place.
  • A green cleaning product policy that requires hotel operators to prefer green cleaning products is in place. [WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics]

 

 

 

Use of materials: Measurement of material and waste streams and definition of policies for the most significant materials.

  • A list of all material and waste streams within operations and can point out which are the most significant is available on a hotel level (examples of waste streams include organic waste, paper, plastic, etc).
  • Responsible procurement strategy has been created.
  • A no-single use policy that requires development and implementation of a programme to eliminate single-use products is in place (no single-use plastic straws or stirrers are used, no single-use water bottles are used, no single use mini toiletries are used). [WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics]

Setting up for success

Take ownership

Designate a lead person or team for each activity and ensure other relevant employees are aware of their roles

Review legislation related to the portfolio

Include senior leadership to make sure there is ownership and buy-in from the top-level

Raise awareness among internal stakeholders by introducing environmental and social sustainability training

Review the possibility for a monitoring system to track all environmental and social data in one location and monitor progress

Review and update governance procedures

Engage stakeholders

Conduct a stakeholder mapping to identify relevant stakeholders, and engage key stakeholders to understand their priorities

Find other brands and management companies you can learn from

Set up a process to regularly engage with hotels, to understand challenges, identify priorities, inform them of central programmes and share solutions

Understand impact & dependencies

1. Review environmental impact relating to use of materials and waste
2. Review dependencies relating to waste
3. Gather available data for waste production for all sites
4. Check waste data quality and engage stakeholders to make improvements
6. Use CHSB to benchmark waste performance of hotels
7. Take stock of the initiatives you are currently doing/have done for waste
Resource: Environmental Management for Hotels (Section 1.5)

Set targets

8. Set company targets, property-level targets for managed hotels, and suggested targets for franchised hotels, for more responsible procurement practices, and better management and reduction of waste. Include reduction of overall waste, reduction of the % going to landfill or incineration, a reduction of food waste and reduction of single use plastics

Take action

9. Review available guidance to identify relevant actions which reduce overall waste (including waste to landfill or incineration), reduce food waste and single use plastics, as well as help to manage hazardous waste. This should consist of simple behavioural activities and low-cost technical options to be executed in the short-term (e.g. payback in 1 year or less) and a headline plan for longer-term initiatives. You should include a programme to eliminate single-use products and a green cleaning product policy that requires hotel operators to prefer green cleaning products [WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics]
10. Where held centrally, review contracts with waste contractors to see if a requirement to provide data can be added
11. Review management and franchise contracts to see if a requirement to provide waste data can be added
12. Determine financial and non-financial resources needed, create a business case and gather required resources
Resource: Responsible Procurement Factsheet
13. Review procurement policies and make them more responsible by giving preference to items which are certified, more efficient, reusable and contain recycled content
Resource: Environmental Management for Hotels (Section 1.6)
14. Inform employees about waste-related objectives and their role in achieving your targets

Reviewing & Reporting Progress

Monitor & Report

Review progress by comparing against previous performance and industry benchmarks where available (such as CHSB). Repeat on a regular basis (e.g. monthly/quarterly)

Review benefits seen through actions

Review challenges encountered along the way and plan solutions to implement

Update leadership on progress

Inform corporate customers and investors of performance and activities by including information in communications and meetings
This guidance was developed with support from Considerate Group                                 

Share your case studies with us!

As hospitality companies progress towards Net Positive Hospitality, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is keen to share good news and best practice from across the industry. Our Net Positive case studies are shared across our website and LinkedIn, acting as a positive space to celebrate these actions, achievements, and commitments.

We invite hotels to get involved by sending case studies to press@sustainablehospitalityalliance.org and / or tagging @Net Positive Hospitality and @Sustainable Hospitality Alliance within LinkedIn posts relating to environmental sustainability or social responsibility.

Waste & Use of Materials - PDF Checklist

Download checklist

Click the link below to access a PDF checklist to use offline.

Find out more and enquire

Test the outcomes of ESG solutions

The Net Positive Hospitality Simulation brings the Pathway to life, helping users understand the impacts of their decisions, test sustainability actions and create a tailored sustainability action plan.

2 | Advancing - Minimise negative impacts and initiate positive impacts

Ready to move onto the next stage?

Once you have completed Waste & Use of Materials – 1 | Starting, you are ready to move on to 2 | Advancing.