Choosing Eco-Friendly Products in Hospitality

When you’re trying to navigate around the vibrant and exciting world of hospitality, sustainable practices may slip your mind but it is more important than ever to adopt these into your business. Whether that’s a bustling café, a high-end restaurant or a cosy hotel or a care home, eco-friendly products are more than just a trend. You don’t have to compromise while being eco-friendly you can keep your venue stylish and functional while also making a positive impact on the environment. Explore how you can add changes to your venue to improve sustainability and why these changes are so essential…

Drinkware

Your drinkware can make a big difference when it comes to sustainability, even though it might seem like a small detail. Here’s how you can make sure every sip is eco-friendly.

Polycarbonate Drinkware:  Around 8 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the oceans every year, contributing to marine pollution and harming wildlife. Switching from single-use plastics helps reduce environmental impact. For a blend of durability and sustainability, polycarbonate drinkware is a great alternative. Beer glasses, wine glasses, cocktail glasses, water glasses, tumblers, jugs and pitchers made from recycled polycarbonate material reduces breaks and accidents while providing durable and long-lasting quality for your venue. Plus, once you’re done with your polycarbonate glassware it can be recycled.

Bamboo:  Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world and can be harvested every 3-5 years without damaging the ecosystem making it a fully renewable source. Bamboo cups are another eco-friendly option that is stylish but more importantly fully biodegradable. If your looking for something modern, they are perfect for casual dining spots or cafes.

Stainless Steel and Aluminium: Ideal for bars and restaurants stainless steel and aluminium are a great alternative to single-use plastics. They are durable, reusable and stylish and can handle hot and cold beverages making them the perfect addition to your bar or restaurant. Additionally, using reusable metal bottles can save on the use of single-use plastic bottles which will significantly reduce plastic waste.

Ceramic: High-quality ceramics can last for decades which will reduce the need for frequent replacements therefore reducing waste. When sourced from sustainable manufacturers, they are the ideal choice for stylish high-end dining and hotel lounges. For added sophistication, ceramic and porcelain drinkware are the perfect choice.

Crockery

When it comes to dining the crockery you choose can play a huge impact on your establishment’s environmental footprint. Let’s explore the green options available and find out how to incorporate eco-friendly crockery into your establishment.

Biodegradable plates: Biodegradable plate options break down within months significantly reducing environmental impact. Whether you have a casual eatery, fast food restaurant or hosting a large dining event, biodegradable plates are ideal for a sustainable service. Crafted from materials like paper, palm leaves or kraft and bagasse they break down naturally without leaving behind any harmful residue. They are great for both dine-in and takeaway services.

Recycled Ceramics: Consider recycled ceramic crockery for a unique and stylish touch to your venue. These plates and bowls support a circular economy and bring distinctive designs and colours to your table settings. This option is perfect for restaurants and dining establishments looking to combine elegance with sustainability.

Stoneware: Known for its durability and longevity, investing in quality stoneware means you won’t need to replace your dishes as frequently, which reduces waste in the long run. It provides a robust and classic option that’s ideal for any dining setting from care homes to restaurants.

Food Packaging

How you package your food can have a significant impact on the environment. With the rise of takeaway and delivery services here’s how to go green with your food packaging.

Paper cups and straws: It’s reported that 500 billion plastic straws are used globally each year, switching to paper straws can significantly reduce this. From trusted brands like Green Planet, paper straws and cups are a fantastic alternative to single-use plastics. They are biodegradable and recyclable making them a great choice for cafes, restaurants and bars.

Disposable cutlery: Opt for biodegradable cutlery crafted from materials like bamboo or kraft and bagasse. These options provide the convenience of disposables without the environmental impact of traditional plastic cutlery. Single-use plastic cutlery can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, whereas biodegradable alternatives break down in a matter of months making them ideal for your establishment.

Disposable Containers: Disposable containers made from paper, kraft and bagasse are a great eco-friendly option for takeaways and delivery services. These materials are compostable therefore reducing the need for single-use plastics. Did you know? Kraft and bagasse containers only take around 180 days to fully decompose, compared to hundreds of years for plastic containers.

Pizza Boxes: Go for pizza boxes made from recycled paper or compostable materials. These are designed to be easily recyclable or compostable, helping to reduce waste from pizza packaging.

Paper Bags: From groceries to takeaways paper bags are a great alternative to plastic. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to decompose while paper bags are reusable and recyclable making them a more sustainable choice.

Green Cleaning

From restaurants, cafes, care homes and commercial spaces, maintaining cleanliness while being environmentally responsible is crucial for any hospitality setting. Here are some tips on how to green up your cleaning routine.

Biohygiene: Designed to minimise environmental impact, Biohygiene offers a wide range of eco-friendly cleaning products. Their biodegradable cleaners are formulated to break down safely and effectively, reducing pollution and ensuring a healthier environment. Ideal for care homes and other sensitive areas, Biohygiene products help maintain high cleanliness standards without relying on harsh chemicals. Conventional cleaning products can contain harmful chemicals that contribute to air and water pollution. Biohygiene eco-friendly products reduce these risks and support a healthier ecosystem.

Microfibre: Using microfibre cloths can reduce the use of cleaning chemicals by up to 90% which helps cut down on waste and exposure to harmful chemicals. They are highly effective at cleaning with minimal chemicals. Great for staff in restaurants, large dining halls and commercial cleaning as they can be washed and reused multiple times making them a sustainable option.

Sustainable Cleaning Tools: Look for brooms, mops, and other cleaning tools made from sustainable materials like bamboo, wood or recycled plastics. These tools offer durability and performance while helping to reduce waste. They’re perfect for commercial cleaning and large-scale operations where efficiency and eco-friendliness are key.

Beyond the Basics

Sustainable technology: There are certain technology  techniques you can apply to your establishment to reduce energy consumption. Such as switching to LED lighting, low-flow sinks and efficient HVAC systems can cut your energy use, lower your utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint. LED lighting can reduce energy consumption by up to 75% compared to traditional bulbs.

Eco-Friendly Cooking: Induction hobs or convection ovens use less energy compared to traditional methods making them a great energy-efficient option. You can also explore waste-reduction techniques like composting food scraps and using locally sourced ingredients to reduce your supply chain footprint. Convection ovens can be 30% more energy-efficient compared to conventional ovens, which can lead to significant cost savings and lower energy use.

Green Deliveries: Consolidating deliveries and choosing eco-friendly vehicles can reduce your carbon footprint. Opt for delivery services that use eco-friendly vehicles such as electric or hybrid vehicles. If you are managing a large-scale operation, consolidate deliveries to minimise the number of trips and reduce fuel consumption. You can also explore partnerships with suppliers who prioritise sustainability in their logistics.

Our Sustainable efforts

Energy Efficiency: We are committed to minimising energy consumption and lowering our carbon footprint through various energy-efficient practices. This includes transitioning our sales team fleet to hybrid vehicles, adopting a paperless office system, and investing in advanced routing software to optimise delivery efficiency.

Waste Reduction: Our dedication to reducing waste and promoting recycling is evident in our operations. We use only recycled cardboard cartons, non-plastic tape, and ensure that all waste cardboard and wood are recycled. This approach is equivalent to saving 500 trees annually.

Natural Resource Conservation: We prioritise sustainability by sourcing products from suppliers who practice responsible sourcing. We partner with leading sustainable companies such as Essity, recognised as one of the world’s most sustainable companies, and Metsa Group, which uses 100% renewable wood from sustainably managed forests. Additionally, Lucart Econatural offers 100% circular products, creating paper and dispensing systems from recycled beverage cartons.

Conclusion

Incorporating eco-friendly products and practices into your hospitality business is more than just a good practice; it’s a step towards a brighter, greener future. From durable polycarbonate drinkware and biodegradable paper products to innovative food packaging and sustainable cleaning supplies from Biohygiene. There many options available to help reduce your environmental footprint while still enhancing your guest’s experience.

So, whether you’re managing a restaurant, café, a leisure venue or a care home you can embrace green solutions. Every small change contributes to a larger movement towards sustainability. Here’s to making every sip, every bite, and every cleaning swipe count for a greener planet!