logo
logo
Sign in

What are plastic alternatives for Hotel Businesses?

avatar
Mariam Ansari
What are plastic alternatives for Hotel Businesses?

The current plastic prohibition is expected to grow tighter and more far-reaching in the coming years. Plastics are used in so many facets of our daily life, from supermarket bags to drinking straws, water bottles, and coffee cups. What alternatives do businesses have when these prohibitions go into force and evolve? Companies may untangle themselves from plastic reliance by using several plastic substitutes for typical things in enterprises today. These alternatives are often classified into three types: reusable things, biodegradable materials, and sustainable materials such as green hotel stationery.


Plastic substitutes that can be used in hotel enterprises

With these advantages and disadvantages in mind, let's look at some specific things that businesses facing a plastic ban may need to replace, as well as the alternatives that are available to them.


Plastic water bottle substitutes

Most consumers would probably be satisfied with a glass of water, but this isn't always possible. As a result, alternatives to plastic bottles, such as glass bottles, should be found to replenish shelves. Many items are currently being packaged in glass bottles, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. It is closely related to the rising demand for recyclable alternatives, therefore companies should soon see a greater assortment of goods. Metal and paper, in addition to glass, are being touted as viable replacements for plastic water bottles.


Alternatives to plastic straws

Straws, one of the most reviled single-use plastics in recent years, now have a plethora of recyclable alternatives. Metal straws and reusable bamboo straws are two popular choices.


Reusable straws, like bottles, may not be possible for some organisations, but there are alternatives. Paper straws are one of the most prevalent substitutes and have lately gained popularity, with some of the world's top multinational corporations making the switch on their goods. These biodegradable (and edible) alternatives to plastic straws enable companies to provide clients with a sustainable straw choice, and restaurants and bars are fast adopting them.


Plastic bag substitutes

Plastic bags have been the object of several prior prohibitions, so this is a change that customers are accustomed to. Cotton or canvas tote bags are arguably the most common reusable alternatives and are now supplied by numerous businesses.


While heavy-duty plastic bags have grown in popularity in recent years and are still permitted under some regulations, there have been worries that they increase merchants' plastic impact. As a result, it is worthwhile to seek out more sustainable options wherever available.


There are various options for businesses that want to continue to offer something to customers in addition to reusable bags. Biodegradable bags are a popular option, and paper bags are still widely available in many stores and are frequently supplied in exchange for plastic.


Plastic substitutes for food packing

Food and beverage packaging is another big source of plastic trash, and a ban might require a significant change in operations for any firms that offer takeout or delivery. Notably, billions of coffee cups are discarded each year, virtually all of which are plastic-coated and combined with a plastic lid. Simple, reusable alternatives have long been available, and businesses may encourage their usage by offering discounts or loyalty programmes to consumers who use their cups.


Similarly, takeout single-use plastic food packaging is a significant waste stream with reusable alternatives. Because reusable food containers are significantly less common than water bottles and coffee cups, companies will almost certainly have to hunt for other choices.


As a result, many firms will seek non-reusable alternatives to plastic food packaging. Biodegradable plastics are popular because they imitate the benefits of ordinary plastics, and bioplastics are always being improved to make them more stable and recyclable.


Many restaurants and cafés that provide takeout services are also transitioning to paper-like packaging, whether made of wood or from more sustainable sources. There are several solutions on the market, so any firm facing a plastic ban should be able to find a greener alternative to plastic food packaging.


What is the ideal plastic substitute?

The best approach to look at the best plastic alternatives is through the prism of the zero waste hierarchy, which prioritises reduction over reuse and reuses above recycling. Saying "no" to useless things, whether pasta straws or needless paper wrapping, is the greatest choice.


The second best choice is to use reusable plastic alternatives. Begin by giving metal or glass alternatives to plastic water bottles, and then extend this mindset to other aspects of your organisation.


Finally, if reduction and reuse aren't viable options, consider recyclable, biodegradable, or otherwise recoverable plastic alternatives. PLA goods, for example, are biodegradable plastic alternatives.


At the end of the day, companies will find a way to continue operating under any plastic ban, whether that means reverting to pre-plastic practices or looking ahead to new alternatives. Many plastic alternatives are currently available, and as more people say no to single-use plastics, more solutions will become available.

collect
0
avatar
Mariam Ansari
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more