How can I advance my property's sustainability efforts right now?

“Sustainability is still a big priority for my hotel’s leadership team and our guests, but the current environment has made it nearly impossible to make additional investments in this area. What are some ways that I can use technology we already have to make our operations more sustainable?”

Sustainability has become a key goal for many hospitality brands and independent properties. Companies that invest in corporate social responsibility and that implement an effective sustainability strategy enjoy a competitive advantage in attracting guests as well as attracting and retaining top talent. Travelers and employees look for green, ethical, moral and inclusive businesses that align with their personal values and goals. The investment in sustainability will pay off and is also the right thing to do. 

Physical adjustments in business practices that increase sustainability might be more obvious - from installing low flow shower heads and motion sensor LED lights to opting for eco-friendly materials. There are also many ways for hotels and properties to take advantage of technology in order to support sustainability goals. Here are some low-cost, quick-to-implement solutions using a property management system (PMS) that can help hotels accelerate incremental change towards sustainability.

Go paperless

Eliminate the need for paper in day-to-day operations by implementing digital registration, billing and communications with guests.

Green housekeeping

Offer a green rate to guests that is tied to housekeeping. If guests choose this option for their stay, housekeeping is notified to conserve resources with adjustments such as not changing sheets and towels every day, not putting out small plastic toiletries and not stocking plastic water bottles in the room.

Give back

Set up an optional carbon neutralization fee that guests can select at the time of reservation, and donate all money collected to environmental causes.

Reduce plastic use

Many property management systems integrate with keyless entry software that lets guests use a mobile device to access their room and other hotel facilities in place of plastic key cards.

Choose sustainable partners

Ensure supply chain and tech stack partners are committed to sustainability. Check to see if your cloud-based PMS is hosted in an energy efficient environment, and if your PMS can interface with an energy management system (EMS).