Outcomes

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

Waste: Application of policy, monitoring and oversight.

  • The status of initiatives and processes as well as specifications on a hotel level are tracked over time.
  • New waste reduction solutions and initiatives have been investigated and strategic initiatives ones have been implemented for all waste streams for priority waste streams.
  • All organic waste is diverted from landfill.
  • Packaging from suppliers is reviewed.
  • An end-of-life plan is in place for furniture made obsolete and waste materials created by renovations and refurbishments.

 

 

 

Use of materials: Establishing sustainable procurement policies.

  • A documented environmental procurement policy is in place for ongoing consumables and for new build, renovation and refurbishment.
  • Single-use plastics have been eliminated from the guest experience.
  • All single use items (glass, wood plastic etc.) have been reviewed and alternatives plans to phase out have been developed.

Setting up for success

Take ownership

Identify owners across all key organisational teams

Implement a Sustainability Monitoring System (SMS) if not done already

Review and update governance procedures

Engage stakeholders

Review and engage stakeholders previously mapped, and identify any additional key external stakeholders in the value chain to engage with

Find other brands and management companies you can learn from

Establish a feedback mechanism for key stakeholders to comment on sustainability initiatives

Check whether there are any local, regional or national plans that could be aligned to support wider efforts

Understand impact & dependencies

1. Map out the products and services that you purchase or mandate through your standards which contribute to your waste-related impacts the most
2. Create a list of all the single-use items and materials purchased or mandated through standards

Set targets

3. Review and strengthen 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 a goal to have zero organic waste going to landfill

Take action

4. Review available guidance to identify and select additional relevant actions which will help reduce waste production and help ensure that zero organic waste goes to landfill. You should include company-level initiatives which eliminate single-use plastics from the guest experience, appropriately dispose of other plastic and phase out other single-use items (glass, wood, plastic). You should also consider other types of key waste such as waste electronics, packaging and obsolete furniture
5. Engage key suppliers to see what their waste commitments are, share targets set and how they can help achieve goals
6. Join efforts that advocate for smart economic incentives that support hotel environmental efforts
7. Determine financial and non-financial resources needed, create a business case and gather required resources
Resource: Responsible Procurement Factsheet
8. Update procurement policies to strengthen waste-related considerations and develop a supplier code of conduct
9. Update brand standards (and standard operating procedures, if set at corporate level) to embed the principles of circular economy, and reduce waste to landfill
Resource: Environmental Management for Hotels (Section 1.6)
10. Raise employee awareness of environmental commitments, and their role in achieving them
11. Engage with customers and enable them to make more environmental choices

Reviewing & Reporting Progress

Monitor & Report

Conduct an external audit on key environmental and social data

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

Create a revolving fund to reinvest savings from efficiency measures into new sustainability initiatives, if not done already

Inform corporate customers and investors of performance and activities by including information in communications and meetings

Publicly report progress against company targets on an annual basis
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

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3 | Accelerating - Neutralise negative impacts and build robust positive impacts

Ready to move on to the next stage?

Once you have completed Waste & Use of Materials – 2 | Advancing, you are ready to move on to 3 | Accelerating.