Almost 7 kg of CO2 released into the atmosphere. This is on average the balance of a night spent at the hotel, if one takes into account heating in winter and air conditioning in summer, water consumption, breakfast and laundry. Not huge in itself. But multiply this figure by the number of establishments around the world, you will get a colossal bill for hotels ... and especially for the planet.
Reducing its energy costs and its carbon footprint has therefore become a priority for accommodation providers. Plastic hunting, installation of solar panels, showers rather than bathtubs, organic mattresses and sheets… establishments are doing everything to go green.
Haro on plastic
Bottles of water, goblets, individual hygiene products, food packaging ... Each year, nearly 200 million single-use plastic objects are used in hotels of the Accor group, which has decided to ban them from here until 2022. “42% of the group's hotels have already found an alternative to plastic bottles,” explains head office. 89% of the Ibis network, or 2,087 hotels, have equipped responsible distributors. "
No more mini-bottles of shampoo. The Best Western Premier Opéra Liège in Paris, which claims to be the first zero plastic hotel in France, has set up water fountains and replaced the bottles of shower gel with soaps. "This meets customer expectations," says Jean-Denis Vaultier, director of Impact Hotel, a consulting firm in sustainable development. The manager of a large chain told me that some customers can turn around if they see a bottle of water on the hotel table. "
Ask for your night's carbon footprint
"More than 150 establishments have volunteered to assess and communicate to their customers the environmental footprint of the night spent at the hotel," explains the Ministry of Ecology. Four environmental indicators (impact on the climate, consumption of water and non-renewable resources, share of organic or eco-labeled products in supplies) are provided and determine an overall rating between A and E. On average, hotels engaged in eco-design initiatives have saved around 0.5 to 2 € per night.
Non-toxic detergents and detergents
In Nantes, the Hotel l'Amiral has received an A rating, thanks to a series of renovation works. "The change in the plumbing fixtures and plumbing equipment in the 49 bathrooms has increased the average water consumption from 12 to 7 liters per minute," explains the Ministry of Ecology, which cites the establishment as an example. . Installation of LED bulbs, carpets, glues and greener paints… the Admiral acted on all floors. The year following the work, the hotel claims to have saved € 7,000 on its annual costs. Some establishments also use non-toxic products for cleaning and washing clothes.
Organic… and local breakfast
Because there is nothing like offering locally produced cherry tomatoes, some establishments have created their own vegetable patch. The hotel in Nantes, the Admiral, has also revised its breakfast menu. No more packaged industrial products, make way for fresh and local products. "Many hoteliers, including in small establishments, turn to short supply chains for their supplies, favor organic and local food, which also creates jobs locally", underlines Jean-Denis Vaultier.
Long live the labels
According to a survey by Tripadvisor, 44% of French people believe that most hotels do not provide enough information on their eco-responsible approach. The NH Hôtel group has therefore decided to take part in a sustainable development program and to make it known. Several measures have been taken, such as monthly checks on water consumption, a reduction in the washing of bed linen and towels, the use of electricity from renewable energies, the provision of bicycles or charging stations. electric vehicle charging.
Since 2008, the carbon footprint of the brand's hotels has been reduced by 70%. Before booking, make sure the establishment has a label. There are several: the Green Key, the European Ecolabel, the Green Globe or even the Gîtes Pandas.
