Whether you’re managing a large resort, a boutique hotel, or a cozy motel, understanding what items you can recycle—and how to get started with recycling—can significantly reduce your environmental footprint and improve your green credentials. In fact, studies show that up to 60% of the waste generated by hotels is recyclable. Yet, much of this waste ends up in landfills, contributing to overcrowded spaces and unnecessary waste production.
As hospitality businesses like Green Suites Hotel Solutions aim to promote eco-friendly practices—such as offering eco-friendly shower products and plastic-free—there’s even more that can be done to reduce waste. Whether it’s through waste audits, employee education, or incorporating sustainable practices into daily operations, there are easy ways to recycle more and waste less. Shop with us today!
The Importance of Hospitality Recycling
Did you know that every hotel guest produces approximately 1.13 kilograms of trash per day? Over a month, this adds up to roughly one cubic yard of waste per room or 200 gallons of waste. That’s a lot of trash piling up in landfills that could potentially be recycled! In fact, up to 60% of the waste generated by the hospitality industry can be recycled, but the reality is that a significant portion ends up being sent to landfills, where it will take years, if not decades, to break down.
To combat this, many hospitality businesses are stepping up their recycling efforts. However, it’s not just about separating plastic, paper, and cans. There are plenty of other items that often get overlooked and can be recycled with the right approach.
8 Items Your Hospitality Business Should Consider Recycling
Here are eight items that many hospitality businesses may not realize they can recycle. Incorporating these into your recycling strategy can help reduce waste and improve sustainability.
1. Cleaning Products and Their Containers
Hotels often use various cleaning products, including detergents, aerosols, disinfectants, and polishes, but many businesses overlook the recyclability of these containers. In fact, some cleaning product bottles—particularly those made of glass, plastic, or metal—are recyclable, provided they are properly cleaned and sorted. Additionally, some manufacturers now offer refillable cleaning product containers that can be reused multiple times, significantly reducing packaging waste. Proper disposal of cleaning product containers can help reduce your hotel’s overall waste generation.
2. Leftover Lotions and Shampoos
Many hotel guests leave behind half-used bottles of shampoo, conditioner, or lotion when they check out. While these bottles can often be recycled, what about the leftover products? Some hotels have started donating leftover toiletries to homeless shelters or repurposing them for future use. Even better, by offering eco-friendly, plastic-free options such as refillable dispensers, your hotel can minimize waste and reduce packaging consumption. Green Suites specializes in supplying eco-friendly custom hotel amenities to hotels, making it easier to go green while offering a better guest experience.
3. Soap
An estimated 2 million bars of soap are thrown away daily in the U.S. alone, many of which are left behind by hotel guests. Rather than tossing them, consider establishing a soap recycling program. Used soap can be sanitized, repurposed, and even donated to organizations that provide hygiene products to those in need. Additionally, consider working with a company that specializes in recycling soap for good, such as SoapAid, which repurposes used soap bars into new products.
4. Textiles: Sheets and Towels
Hotels go through a substantial quantity of linens—especially sheets and towels. Over time, these textiles often become worn out, but instead of sending them to a landfill, consider starting a textile recycling program. Old linens can be turned into cleaning rags or repurposed for other uses. Textile recycling programs can help divert significant amounts of waste from landfills and promote more sustainable practices within your property. Companies like Terracycle provide services to recycle textiles, helping businesses ensure that old sheets and towels are properly disposed of.
5. Towels
In addition to sheets, hotels often find themselves discarding old, worn towels. Instead of adding them to the ever-growing pile of textiles heading for the landfill, these towels can be recycled. Much like sheets, old towels can be repurposed for other uses or processed into new textiles. Hotels can also partner with local organizations or charity shops that might be able to make use of gently used towels for various purposes, from donations to cleaning services.
6. Mattresses
Did you know that up to 20 million mattresses are discarded every year in the U.S., taking up valuable landfill space? The good news is that up to 75% of a mattress can actually be recycled! Many hotels replace mattresses on a regular basis as part of their maintenance program, but those mattresses often end up in landfills instead of being recycled. Hotels can work with mattress recycling programs to break down the components and ensure that metal, foam, and fabric are repurposed into new products. By recycling mattresses, hotels can prevent thousands of pounds of waste from ending up in landfills each year.
7. E-Waste
As hotels upgrade their technology, they often dispose of old TVs, computers, and other electronic devices. E-waste is a growing environmental concern due to the toxic materials found in electronics, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Fortunately, these materials can be safely recycled if processed correctly. To stay on top of e-waste disposal, consider partnering with certified e-waste recyclers who can properly manage the disposal of your electronics.
8. Candles
While many people may not know it, candles can be recycled! The wax, wicks, glass containers, and even the packaging can be sorted, cleaned, and repurposed. Many hotels go through a substantial amount of candles for their ambiance, yet they are often discarded once the candle burns out. Instead of throwing them away, consider a recycling program that processes the wax and glass into new products. Additionally, some candles can be donated to local shelters or used in arts and crafts programs in schools or community centers.
How to Get Started: Begin with a Waste Audit
The first step in improving your hotel’s recycling efforts is to conduct a waste audit. A waste audit will help you identify the types of waste your business generates and determine which items can be recycled. Start by evaluating the types of products you regularly use, the amount of waste generated by guests, and the disposal practices in place at your property. From there, you can begin integrating sustainable practices, such as partnering with local recycling companies and educating staff about proper disposal methods.
Incorporating a sustainable waste audit into your operations can also help you identify areas where you can reduce consumption and promote more eco-friendly alternatives. For example, by offering plastic-free custom hotel amenities like Green Suites’ eco-friendly shower products, you can reduce your hotel’s plastic usage and encourage your guests to adopt more sustainable habits.
The hospitality industry is in a prime position to make a significant impact on sustainability efforts. By focusing on recycling commonly overlooked items, such as cleaning product containers, leftover toiletries, soap, towels, and mattresses, hotels can divert tons of waste from landfills and reduce their environmental impact. A waste audit is a great first step to getting started with your hotel’s sustainability journey. By incorporating eco-friendly practices and working with partners like Green Suites Hotel Solutions, your hotel can lead the way in sustainable tourism and reduce its carbon footprint—while also impressing increasingly eco-conscious guests. Shop with us today!
