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The shift to upcycling and recycling in hospitality

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Single-use plastics have caught the spotlight and global attention recently. Their danger posed to animals and the environment have caused governments, industries and society to take action. The hospitality sector is no exception - many hotels and restaurants are stepping up their sustainability.Upcycling and recycling are becoming integral parts of business practices for many hotels and restaurants. Many hotels and restaurants have stopped providing single-use plastic straws, cups and cutlery. Instead, biodegradable alternatives such as paper, cardboard and compostable polymer have become the materials of choice.

Upcycling old linen in the hospitality industry

Reusing old tablecloths and upcycling linen are some of the other novel ways in which the hospitality industry is building a more sustainable sector. These small steps, coupled with reducing waste from the start, will help to solve the pollution crisis and curb waste from landfills.Hotels and restaurants have no shortage of linen - whether it’s white tablecloths, pillowcases, sheets or bath towels - these materials used to be a nuisance to dispose of. Quality and cleanliness are important in the hospitality industry, so stained or damaged linen is thrown out.However, this material can still be of value. Many hotels donate old linen to charities but some have decided to start upcycling. High-quality linen can be turned into decorative cushion covers or even t-shirts for charities. The upcycled linen clothing is then sold to raise funds for a variety of causes.

NPOs benefit from hotel upcycling

Royal Kidz, a local NPO in the Western Cape is doing just that. They upcycle old linen from hotels and restaurants into clothing and homeware to raise money for schools in Ceres. These initiatives are helping to address the excess waste from the hospitality industry as well as to help citizens in need.Other hotels and restaurants have decided to forgo the white tablecloths entirely. This doesn’t affect the guests’ experience and can cut down on the amount of linen that is discarded. Not to mention the amount of water it saves the hotels not having to wash the tablecloths every day. These steps are leading to a more sustainable industry.___Averda is a leading waste management provider with over 50 years of experience across three continents. Throughgrowth,transformation andengagement, we strive to findnew ways of managing waste while protecting the community and environment.___By pairing international expertise withlocal insights, we have secured our position as one of South Africa’s most respected providers ofwaste management and industrial cleaning services. We also operate in therecycling, pipe inspection, CCTV,infrastructure inspection, hydro-demolition, high-pressure water jetting and catalyst handling industries.___Follow usFacebook,Twitter andLinkedIn for the best tips on recycling and the latest industry news. See ourInstagram andYouTube channels for more insights into environmental affairs and our work with local communities.