During a time when concerns over global warming issues are growing, more people are trying to live more sustainable lifestyles and make positive environmental changes. It is especially important for large brands to show their concern and act as leaders in their communities by showing guests that they too are implementing strategies to reduce their carbon footprint.

By carrying out a water-saving program,  you can significantly reduce water usage while saving your brand thousands of dollars on a number of other costs. Although many water-saving methods involve an initial investment of switching to showerheads with reduced water pressure or installing low-flow toilets, there is a simple strategy you can implement quickly and with little to no cost: a linen and towel reuse program.

According to an article by CNN Travel, guests who participate in a hotel’s sustainability efforts reported that they were more satisfied with their stay than guests who chose not to participate.

There are a few effective ways to encourage guests to participate in your hotel’s linen and towel reuse efforts. You can hang a door hanger on the bathroom doorknobs – one side for fresh towels and the other to reuse. Another way to inform guests and increase awareness of your program is by placing a placard with a description of the program and instructions on how guests can participate. Many hotels instruct their guests to leave their used towels on the floor for fresh towels or to hang their towels if they’d like to participate in the program.

Benefits of a Linen and Towel Reuse Program

• With laundry accounting for about 16% of a hotel’s water usage – only second to bathrooms – you can significantly cut costs on both water and energy bills.
• When guests participate in your linen and towel reuse program, they increase the lifespan of these products. Ultimately, your brand benefits from reduced replacement costs.
• According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, requesting patrons to participate in the program reduces the number of loads of laundry—as well as related water, sewer, energy, and labor costs—by 17 percent.

In 2014, the Environment Protection Agency announced its WaterSense H20 Challenge, a government-led initiative that challenges the hospitality industry to increase their water-saving efforts and decrease energy use. Through this program, hotel management can learn about ways to conserve water and save money, as well as methods for tracking their savings.

Begin your water conservation program by investing in quality linens, towels, and bathrobes to further more prolong the lifespan of these products and increase your brand’s overall sustainability efforts. Contact your local Guest Supply territory manager today to get started.