Top Tips for Hotel Procurement on International Sustainable Procurement Day
We are celebrating International Sustainable Procurement Day on Thursday 21st March along with The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Cleaning up your supply chains with complete transparency is one of the most impactful ways your hotel can support the planet and its people. To lead the way with hotels at the forefront of a Net Positive future, procurement has to be a top priority. We are delighted and honoured to be working in collaboration with The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and supporting them as advisors and a trusted partner specialising in Sustainable Procurement.
Beyond Bamboo are global experts in planet conscious procurement and are the only organisation offering both consultancy and fully vetted and quality assured sustainable products for the hospitality industry. We work with our clients to go beyond sustainability by building and developing local planet conscious supply chains that work to restore and rejuvenate the planet. We educate and support both our clients and suppliers on their journey towards becoming responsible businesses and help them to contribute towards projects that deliver their ESG goals at the same time.
Is it time for your hotel to ‘check in’ with its sustainable procurement process? Here are our 5 top tips to help you:
There is now an expectation from your guests to receive natural self-care products during their stay. Especially for babies and children considering allergies and extra sensitivity. Making sure that ingredients and not just packaging is taken into consideration.
There are many reasons that bamboo is an awesome choice when swapping the products on offer in your hotel, and while bamboo has many eco-friendly attributes, responsible cultivation practices and sustainable management are essential to minimise its negative environmental impacts. Sustainable bamboo cultivation involves careful planning, biodiversity conservation, water conservation measures, reduced chemical inputs, and responsible land management to ensure that bamboo remains an environmentally friendly resource; and be aware there are always sustainable and innovative alternatives being offered globally.
Sustainability depends on numerous factors in a lengthy and complex global supply chain. Transparency is key to minimising the environmental and social impacts. This is where certifications, accreditations, and knowing your supply chain are important for making informed decisions regarding your products. Ask the questions! Know your suppliers and their supply and value chains and researching and getting to know your suppliers is of utmost importance when ensuring the true sustainability of a product.
Compostable or Biodegradable: While both "compostable" and "biodegradable" refer to the ability of materials to break down, they do so under different conditions. Compostable items are specifically intended for composting environments, such as soil and water, however, not all home compost systems may be able to fully break down certain compostable materials due to variations in conditions, especially if the compost pile is not managed properly. Biodegradable items may break down in various environments over time but some biodegradable materials may require specific industrial processes to do so completely. Many countries and cities do not have the required facilities; It is important to ask the questions.
Ensure that you know the full life cycle of your products and their packaging! What happens to the product once it's been used? Think circular rather than linear. How do you dispose of the packaging or any leftover contents? What are the disposal facilities in your area? These crucial questions will get you further on your sustainability journey.
Case study:
We are working with a global luxury hotel group to create the most sustainable soft toy mascot for their brand. It is a lengthy process to ensure sustainability. The consideration regards the use of natural materials and a handmade process, this can sometimes make the feel of plush and luxurious difficult to create. We have researched and discovered various options to choose from when designing soft toys in the most sustainable way to date.
Recycled PET (Plastic Bottles)
Recycled Cotton
Recycled T-Shirt Material
100% Organic Cotton
Plant Material Stuffing
As with every product you source, considerations such as certifications, accreditations, quality control, and consistency are all important factors, so building a trusted relationship with manufacturers is key. These trusted relationships help to guarantee the quality control and sustainable manufacture and supply chain of your new hotel mascot. And best as possible help your hotel enter into contracts that ensure reliability and longevity for the consistency of the product and your brand. We are now able to assist with the design of bespoke best-in-class sustainable hotel mascots and toy ranges ideal for your guests’ family experience and promotion of your hotel brand.
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