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How to Slash Your Hotel’s Carbon Footprint with Sustainable Interior Design

Dec 03, 2024

What Exactly is Embodied Carbon and Why Should You Care?

Embodied carbon is the sneaky villain hiding in your hotel’s interior design, lurking in the walls, the furniture, the flooring, and even those beautiful new bathtubs you’ve just installed. Unlike operational carbon, which comes from the energy your business consumes daily, embodied carbon is the carbon footprint associated with everything used to build or renovate a property.

Photo from https://www.rpsgroup.com/services/environment/sustainability-and-climate-resilience/what-is-embodied-carbon/

From the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of materials, embodied carbon is with you from the start of construction all the way through to demolition.

In hospitality, this is especially important because hotels, resorts, and even restaurants undergo frequent renovations. This constant turnover of furniture, fixtures, and décor contributes to substantial embodied carbon emissions. When you understand just how much carbon is hidden away in the materials you use, well, it’s enough to make you want to reconsider every cushion and countertop.

The Problem: Hospitality’s Carbon Footprint is Getting Out of Hand

Here’s where things get complicated. The hospitality industry is notorious for its high turnover of furniture and frequent renovations. Every time a hotel changes its design or replaces worn-out items, it’s contributing more to the planet’s carbon overload. The materials used to furnish a hotel, everything from fresh flooring to sleek sinks, can pack quite the carbon punch.

To make matters worse, many of the materials used in the construction and renovation processes are energy-intensive, non-recyclable, and straight up bad for the environment. Materials like concrete, steel, and synthetic fabrics have high embodied carbon. And while these materials might seem like a quick and easy choice, they’re contributing to the global environmental crisis every time they’re used.

Photos from https://8billiontrees.com/carbon-offsets-credits/carbon-footprint-of-building-materials/

Don’t even get me started on the tons of waste that gets sent off to landfills during these renovations. The hospitality industry’s demand for quick renovations results in mountains of perfectly good materials being discarded. If hotels had a more sustainable approach to interior design, they could significantly cut down on this waste and reduce their carbon footprint.

What Does This Mean for Your Hotel? The Cost of Carbon is Real

I am not here to judge, because who doesn’t love a quick & easy interior makeover? But it is worth noting that the consequences of high embodied carbon in interior design are twofold: environmental damage and financial loss.

From an environmental perspective, every renovation and new furniture piece adds to your business’s carbon footprint. For a business that is working towards sustainability, this can feel like taking two steps forward and one step back. Even though you may be using more energy-efficient lighting or green cleaning products, all that good work can be undermined by the carbon emissions involved in replacing furniture or fixtures.

On the financial side, the cost of high-carbon materials is often higher in the long run due to maintenance, disposal, and replacement. And let’s be real, nothing feels worse than realizing the chic sofa you’ve just bought is made of materials that won’t hold up over time or end up in a landfill sooner than you’d like.

But here’s the rub: eco-conscious travellers are increasingly choosing eco-friendly hotels over their carbon-heavy competitors. So, if your hotel is still running on outdated materials that scream "unsustainable," you're not just harming the planet, you might be losing potential guests as well.

What’s the Solution? Sustainable Interior Design is Your Hotel’s Superpower

Now for the good news! There’s a way out of this carbon conflict (because every problem has a solution), and it’s called sustainable interior design. By adopting environmentally friendly design practices, your business can dramatically reduce its embodied carbon footprint. Not only will you be doing your part for the planet, but you’ll also attract sustainability-focused guests, and that’s a win-win!

Here are some ways to greenify your hotel’s interior design and keep your carbon footprint in check:

1. Choose Low-Carbon, High-Impact Materials

Ditch the carbon-heavy conventional materials (I’m looking at you, concrete and plastic) and opt for sustainable, low-carbon alternatives. For example, bamboo, cork, and sustainably sourced wood are all fantastic options for reducing your business’s embodied carbon. Not only are they renewable, but they also add an earthy, organic vibe to your space, something guests are sure to appreciate.

Also, don’t forget about recycled materials. You’d be surprised how many stylish, high-end options there are that incorporate recycled glass, steel, and wood. Plus, opting for materials with a smaller carbon footprint doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or style. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between beauty, durability, and sustainability.

2. Upcycle and Refurbish Your Furniture Like a Pro

Instead of following the trend of tossing out perfectly good furniture during each renovation, why not give it a second life? Upcycling and refurbishing are not only eco-friendly, they’re also cost-effective. Imagine giving your hotel’s tired-looking chairs a fresh coat of paint or reupholstering that vintage couch. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll also be cutting down on unnecessary waste.

Plus, it’s the ultimate conversation starter: "Oh, this old thing? It’s an upcycled piece from our previous collection!" Guests will love knowing they’re staying somewhere that doesn’t just care about aesthetics but also about its environmental impact.

3. Design for Longevity Because Quality is Always in Style

When it comes to sustainable interior design, longevity is key. Choose durable furniture and materials that can stand the test of time. The last thing you want is to have to replace your furniture every couple of years because it’s falling apart or going out of style.

The good news is that quality items can also make your hotel feel timeless. Think of it this way: investing in quality furniture, fixtures, and décor is like investing in the future of your business. Sure, it might cost a bit more upfront, but it’ll save you big on replacements, repairs, and waste disposal down the road.

4. Make the Circular Economy Your New Best Friend

The circular economy isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a way of life that can help reduce your hotel’s carbon footprint. In a circular economy, the focus is on reusing, repurposing, and recycling materials. So, instead of tossing out old furniture or construction materials, look for ways to give them new life.

For example, you could donate or sell your used furniture to other businesses, or even better, you could partner with local upcycling or repurposing companies to create something completely new. When you take a circular approach, the materials used in your hotel can be endlessly recycled or reused, reducing waste and emissions.

5. Embrace Sustainability Training for Your Team

This is where Fifty Shades Greener comes in, we understand that sustainability in hospitality doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Our Green Manager Programme is designed to focus on the practical steps businesses can take, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and cutting water usage. These are crucial, actionable first steps that have a direct impact on your business’s overall sustainability.

By enrolling your team in our Green Manager Programme, you’ll equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to integrate sustainability into all aspects of your operations. From energy-efficient practices to waste reduction, this programme helps businesses lay the groundwork for a greener future.

How Do Our Courses Help You Turn Sustainability Into a Competitive Edge?

The Green Manager Programme provides detailed guidance on how to reduce resource usage and minimize waste without compromising the quality of your offerings. These actions, which focus on practical sustainability, can reduce operational costs and improve your brand’s appeal to eco-conscious customers.

You’ll also learn how these foundational practices play a crucial role in broader sustainability efforts, ensuring that your hotel is not only improving its environmental footprint but also staying ahead in a competitive market that increasingly values eco-friendly initiatives.

Already Made the Reductions and Looking to Go Further?

If you’ve already reduced energy consumption and waste and are looking to take your sustainability efforts to the next level, whether that’s reducing your embodied carbon footprint through sustainable design or expanding your scope to include broader ESG initiatives, we’ve got you covered. Book a free consultation call with us today, and we’ll help you map out the next phase of your sustainability journey!

 


About the Author

Kiri Spanowicz is the Communications Officer at Fifty Shades Greener, bringing a blend of sustainability knowledge and a spirited approach to her content. With a background in marine biology and years as a scuba diving instructor, Kiri leverages her deep appreciation for the natural world to advocate for environmental education. She is dedicated to crafting content that is not only fun and cheeky but also richly informative—believing that learning about sustainability should be as entertaining as it is enlightening. Her work, aimed at making environmental awareness engaging and accessible, has been recognized across various platforms. Follow Kiri's journey on LinkedIn or through the Fifty Shades Greener blog for a lively take on transforming both business practices and personal habits for a greener future.

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