Sustainable Hospitality: Doing the Right Thing
- Mew Nutrada
- Jan 29, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 22
By chance, I found myself stepping into the hospitality industry, starting from waiting tables in a restaurant and working in cocktail bars to opening my own hostel. Now, I’ve taken on the challenge of designing an environmentally conscious management system for a 3-star boutique hotel. Over time, I’ve grown passionate about the industry—not just for its potential to create memorable experiences but also for the responsibility it bears toward sustainability. Traveling has always been a love of mine, especially the joy of meeting people from all walks of life. However, working in hospitality over the past five years has opened my eyes to a glaring issue: the staggering amount of waste generated in hotel operations. This blog is my reflection on the waste I’ve seen and what hotels can do to make things better.
Rethinking the "We Paid for It" Mentality
The mindset of “We’re taking it because we paid for it” is common among hotel guests, and it’s understandable. But as a hotel manager, it’s our responsibility to think beyond the immediate and ask, “Where do all these empty mini plastic bottles go after they’re used?” We can’t rely solely on guests to recycle, so why not eliminate plastic waste altogether?

Making a Difference at POR Thapae Gate
At POR Thapae Gate, we decided to break away from the cycle of providing single-use plastic amenities while still delivering everything a hotel should offer. I was initially skeptical about how guests would react, but our reviews turned out to be overwhelmingly positive!
Here are some steps we’ve taken:
Recycled Paper Packaging: All our amenities come in eco-friendly, recycled paper packaging.
Refillable Soap and Shampoo Bottles: This reduces the waste from single-use plastic containers.
Bamboo Toothbrushes: A sustainable alternative to plastic toothbrushes.
Glass Water Bottles: Eliminating plastic water bottles entirely.
Water Refill Stations: Available on every floor, encouraging guests to refill their tumblers and reduce plastic waste.
Coffee and Tea Machines in the Lobby: Available 24/7 with freshly ground coffee from a local supplier, reducing carbon emissions and waste from instant coffee packets.

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