General tips on plastic reduction
Every beginning is hard and starting with your plastic reduction journey might be a bit overwhelming in the beginning.
Follow our tips below and you’ll soon celebrate first successes!
ALWAYS PREFER REUSABLE PRODUCTS
Always opt for the reusable product and avoid replacing single-use plastic items with single-use products made of another material as single-use items always generate a lot of unnecessary waste (e.g. use no or reusable straws instead of plastic or paper straws).
APPLY THE “PROCESSES OVER PRODUCTS” APPROACH
Some single-use products don’t necessarily have a purpose but produce a lot of waste. Whenever possible try to change the process not the product (e.g. the plastic wrap around a remote control doesn’t mean the remote control has actually been cleaned).
ALWAYS BUY LOCAL
By preferring local products and solution you support the local economy. In addition, it reduces carbon emissions and you are more independent from global crisis.
RUN PILOTS WITH CERTAIN PRODUCTS
Run some pilots for certain processes and products you would like to implement to see how your guests respond. Pilots also help you to get feedback from staff and to improve the process.
ESTABLISH A SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING POLICY
Create a sustainable purchasing policy so that your staff knows what kind of products shall be bought and which materials / products should be avoided.
ALWAYS CHOOSE BULK OPTIONS
Bulk options are often more cost-effective and it reduces the volume of plastic waste produced. For example by choosing shampoo from a returnable 5l container with a refillable bottle (0.35l) instead of a miniature bottle you can save 96% of plastic waste.
WORK WITH YOUR SUPPLIERS
Raise awareness and inform them about your plastic waste reduction strategy. Ask them what kind of solution they can offer. Maybe they can provide their products in returnable boxes?
