With the awareness of environmental sustainability in the world today, it is no longer considered a “nice to have” – it is ultimately a “need to have”. Businesses of all kinds are scrutinizing their “footprint” and working to lessen their impact on the environment, to some degree. The hospitality sector is actively pursuing and moving their vernacular into the realm of eco-friendly options. Hotels at all levels from boutique hotels to five-star luxury resorts are changing to compostable garbage bags.

If you are wondering why hotels are moving to compostable garbage bags in bigger numbers, read on to learn about the larger environmental consideration and reasons why hotels are making the change.

Environmental Responsibility: Protecting Our Planet

Hotels generate a lot of waste in a day; trash comes from the guest rooms, kitchens, restaurants, meeting rooms… you name it! For years, it has been normal to fill plastic garbage bags, because plastic garbage bags take hundreds of years to degrade.

Compostable garbage bags are made from a natural source: corn starch, vegetable oils, or plant-based polymers. They break down naturally and return nutrients back into the soil instead of announcing themselves to landfill and oceans.

By embracing compostable garbage bags, hotels can be a part of the environmental sustainability conversation, waste plastic and plastics, and contribute to a healthier planet for generations.

Enhanced Brand Image and Guest Loyalty

Sustainability is a deciding factor for a lot of travelers. Of course, hotels are seen more positively by their guests when they practice sustainability, and using compostable garbage bags is one small way to show green practices. By using compostable garbage bags, a hotel can reinforce their brand image as an innovative, responsible brand that is making an effort to be environmentally friendly. 

These small steps are what guests will notice, and it can lead to more loyalty, direct bookings, and more social media presence through reviews and comments, all of which are better for business. Sustainability is not just good for the planet, it is also good for the bottom line. 

Compliance with Environmental Regulations

There is a great deal of public support from country to country for regulating the use of plastics to reduce plastic waste, and many municipalities have now enacted legislation forbidding single-use plastic, including the traditional garbage bag. 

By choosing to use compostable garbage bags, hotels will be able to stay ahead of compliance issues and legislation, and therefore avoid fines and future legal issues, while being part of a global movement toward sustainability. 

Safe for Organic Waste and Composting

Hotels create a lot of organic waste, including food, garden, and paper waste. Traditional plastic garbage bags are often a contaminant when composting because they do not break down. 

Compostable garbage bags are designed to decompose with organic waste, which makes them the ideal bags for waste that goes into sustainable waste management systems. Using compostable garbage bags will also assure the organic waste produced by the hotel is properly composted and will help them keep an environmentally friendly image in the eye of the guest.

Cost-Effective in the Long Run

Although compostable bags may appear to cost a little more than traditional plastic bags at first glance, they come with additional long-term benefits.

• Less waste means there’s less that it will cost to dispose of.
• You might become eligible for green certifications and tax advantages
• Finally, you may intrigue an eco-friendly guest with your efforts which may generate additional stay loyalty.

When you consider these added benefits, compostable garbage bags are a financially viable and sustainable option for hotels.

Supporting Sustainability Certifications

Green certifications like LEED, Green Key and EarthCheck will award hotels for their adoption of sustainable practices that can include responsible waste management with compostable garbage bags as a very simple element to work towards our goal of sustainability certifications and can boost hotel credibility as well as appeal to eco-friendly travellers. 

Reducing Plastic Pollution and Ocean Waste

Plastic pollution is among the greatest environmental concerns of our time. Millions of tons of plastic are estimated to enter oceans every year putting marine life and ecosystems at risk. By adopting compostable garbage bags, hotels can drastically decrease their systemic impact on plastic pollution problems.

Remember: Every compostable bag will take a plastic bag out of their ecosystem and out of our oceans, doing good in the process! 

Non-Toxic and Safe Materials

Compostable bags made from other materials are not the same as conventional plastics which are purposely treated with toxic chemicals. This removes a layer of waste handling safety issues from hotel staff who have to handle waste and cuts a risk to organic contamination.

Lightweight, Durable, and Easy to Use

High-quality compostable bags are strong, flexible, and will hold the heavy waste loads seen in hotels, recycling, and waste. The bags are lightweight, user friendly, and assist housekeeping and waste collection to be more efficient, operationally, with sustainability as a key focus. 

Meeting Guest Expectations

Today’s hotel guests are looking to stay at applications that reflect their values. From in-room recycling bins to biodegradable toiletries, the details matter. Using compostable garbage bags is a tangible and visible way to demonstrate a hotel’s commitment to sustainability while gaining guest loyalty and guest satisfaction. 

Easy Integration Into Daily Operations

Choosing to use compostable garbage bags shouldn’t require changing your whole operation. You can use compostable trash can liners in your kitchens, guest rooms and banquet facilities much like you would normal trash can liners. Different bag sizes, and strength options mean you will find the right liner for all areas of your operation, from small bins in rooms to large waste can in kitchens. 

Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility is a huge part of a company’s purpose. Using compostable garbage bags reflects your company’s sustainability resolve in environmental and social responsibility, and demonstrates your business respect for stakeholders, employees and the hotel customers.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Traditional plastics are derived from various fossil fuels in a series of processes, all emitting carbon. Compostable garbage bags are made from natural, renewables resources, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions a hotel generates, therefore part of any participant stakeholder’s climate action plan.

Conclusion: The Green Future of Hospitality

Changing from plastic garbage bags to compostable trash bags is more than a fad, it is a strategic move that benefits hotels, guests, and the planet. When hotels switch to using compostable bags, they receive:

• Lower environmental impact
• Improved branding and guest loyalty
• Assurance of compliance with government environmental regulations
• Easy waste separation and composting
• Long term cost savings
• Use for Sustainability Certification
• Reduction in plastics and ocean trash
• Non-toxic and safe materials (biodegradable)
• Lightweight, durable and convenient to use
• Beginning to match guest expectations
• Quick adoption into operational processes
• Better corporate social responsibility initiatives
• Lower carbon footprint

At Dr Earth, we sell high–quality compostable trash bags tailored for hotels to enable eco-friendly waste separation and disposal without losing quality or convenience.

The future of hospitality is green and bags are an easy step to get there. Switch today as part of the sustainability movement.

FAQs

Q-1. Are compostable garbage bags strong enough for hotel use?
Ans- Yes, high-quality compostable bags are designed to hold heavy waste without tearing, making them suitable for all hotel operations.

Q-2. How long does it take for compostable bags to break down?
Ans- Depending on the environment, compostable bags typically decompose within 90 to 180 days in commercial composting facilities.

Q-3. Can compostable bags be used for food waste?
Ans- Absolutely. Compostable bags are ideal for organic and food waste since they break down naturally and do not contaminate compost.

Q-4. Are compostable garbage bags more expensive than regular plastic bags?
Ans- They may have a slightly higher upfront cost, but they save money in the long run through regulatory compliance, sustainability certifications, and enhanced guest loyalty.

Q-5. Can hotels use compostable bags for all types of waste?
Ans- While compostable bags are best for organic and biodegradable waste, they can also be used for general waste. For recyclables or hazardous waste, appropriate bags should still be used.