Why now is the time for hotel owners to perfect their corporate social responsibility strategies

With plastic waste and environmental issues still high on the worldwide agenda, consumers are feeling a real responsibility to become more sustainable and, as a result, becoming more discerning about their purchasing choices.

Businesses in the hospitality industry must embrace this raised awareness as an opportunity to progress; it’s clear that now is the time for hospitality companies to consider these environmental issues and embrace them in their wider CSR strategies.

Such a policy should involve reducing unnecessary waste, cutting down on the unnecessary use of plastic and making more sustainable purchasing decisions overall. However, research this summer by BRITA Professional revealed that 40% of hospitality business want more information and advice to help them become more sustainable – so the wider industry, including sustainability bodies and suppliers, all have a part to play in providing this advice.

So, with a thorough CSR policy crucial for those who want to promote a positive brand image, improve customer loyalty and help the world at the same time, here are our top tips on advancing your CSR strategy:

Ensure your CSR policy fits with your company ethos

Review your company values to get an understanding of who and what your business impacts and try to connect any CSR activity to your core strategy. Involving your employees helps to embed responsibility into your company culture and can also improve staff loyalty, so invite the team to put forward ideas. Find out which causes matter most to your employees, and to your target market, and consider how they might complement the values of your business. Finally, to ensure sustainability strategies remain effective, make sure you reassess them on a regular basis.

Cut down on unnecessary plastic use

Reducing plastic waste has to top the agenda for hospitality businesses when it comes to reviewing their CSR policies so make sure you look at the plastic items you use and consider more sustainable alternatives. If you work with your suppliers, you can influence the development of innovative, products that are fit for purpose and sustainable.

This year, we’ve developed a range of sustainable, 100% plastic free Christmas crackers as a result of increased demand from customers for such products across the board. The campaign against plastic has already seen a huge reduction in the use of plastic straws and the hospitality industry has a very real opportunity to help reduce the amount of plastic waste finding its way into our oceans.

Choose your suppliers carefully

It’s a case of ‘show me your friends’ as environmentally conscious consumers are most likely to choose a business that sources greener products over one that doesn’t give any consideration to the products it uses. Partnering with suppliers who have their own CSR policies in place allows hospitality businesses to demonstrate proof of their own sustainability credentials.

Here at Duni we have a very clear CSR policy, Blue Mission, in place which sets us tough goals for our environmental and ethical performances. Don’t be afraid to ask suppliers to provide certification and policy documents and, where possible, opt for green products.

Consider the finer details

Hotels can go the extra mile by paying more attention to the smaller details. Many hotels and caterers concentrate on the bigger sustainability issues, such as food waste and energy efficiencies, and overlook the smaller things. There are, in fact, some quick wins on the journey to sustainability for hotels and caterers, such as paper straws, FSC certified napkins, FSC certified table covers, LED lighting, RAL certified candles and recycled candle-holders. Start with the small things and the big things will follow.

Engage with the community

Besides the need to focus on decisions that have a global impact, corporate responsibility also involves supporting the local community. Running, and participating in, events that bring the community together will present you with a great opportunity to engage local people and to invest in the community you’re a part of.

Nominate a member of your team to plan your community activities and make sure you commit to them. Both the community and your customers will appreciate the gesture and it establishes you as a company that cares. Getting involved with local charities and coming up with fun and inventive ways to raise money for worthy causes is another way to invest in your local community, as well as giving you a great opportunity to boost team morale.

The environment needs you

As consumers become even more conscious of the world around them and how they are impacting it, now is the time for hotels to fully consider the steps they can take to create a more sustainable businesses model. This not only makes great business sense, but also ensures hospitality businesses are playing their part in creating a better world.

Gareth Brown, market development manager at Duni, a supplier of innovative table top concepts combining napkins, table coverings, candles and Christmas crackers, supplying restaurants, hotels, caterers and the public sector.