During Week 6 of my challenge, the highlight was a stay at an non Zero Waste hotel.

 

Not only was the hotel luxurious, it aimed to reduce every guests water usage.

 

Sounds great doesn’t it?

 

I’m kidding. 

 

I stayed in a guest hotel in Lincoln which had a shared kitchen, shower facility and bathroom with the other guests. Nothing reduces your time in the shower more than a stranger banging on the door telling you they are in a hurry to get to work.

 

Apart from the great nights sleep and Georgian decor, there were convenience single-use items placed in every corner of the hotel.

Being a Zero Waster in a world of non Zero Waste is always a challenge.

 

It doesn’t matter how much you try to justify your eco intention to a stranger, they will always presume you are reverting back to prehistoric times.

 

The majority of the public aren’t aware of the negative environmental impact their lifestyle can cause. And this applies to hotel owners too.

 

After I checked in at the hotel reception, I visited my room to unpack my belongings.

 

I was amazed…

 

There were at least 4 different sized towels folded up neatly on the bed. I didn’t use any of them because I took 2 towels with me.

 

I wasn’t sure why I needed so many towels for 1 nights stay.

 

It appears to be common hotel practice for guests towels to be washed daily. To avoid this happening I gently placed all of the folded towels on the dressing table- in the hope, the hotel staff would recognise that the towels could be reused for other guests.

 

There were 2 dressing gowns in my wardrobe, I don’t use one at home so I didn’t plan on using one in the hotel. I was as careful as I could when I hung up my clothing. I didn’t want the hotel staff to think I used the dressing gown and then wash it.

 

Although, I’m sure the hotel cleaners perform the sniff test on them to make sure they don’t need washing… [click here for another sniff test example]

 

For the ultimate hotel experience factor, the hotel staff gave me a small selection of bottled toiletries; shampoo, conditioner, hand wash, hand cream, a small cellophane wrapped bar of soap and a boxed shower cap.

 

I didn’t use any of them too because I arrived prepared.

 

Although, it does make me wonder about the soap…

 

The soap was small but not small enough for someone to use it all during their stay. I would presume that if the soap was not taken home by the guests, then the hotel staff would add it to their usual rubbish bin.

 

Because let’s face it…

 

Most people would not find it luxurious to reuse a bar of soap from a previous guest.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A ZERO WASTER WHEN YOU TURN YOUR NOSE UP AT INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED TEABAGS

I presumed I was the last guest awake and the last who used the kitchen facility. Naturally on my exit to my bedroom, I switched off all the electrical appliances around me.

 

There was 3 table lamps, 5 wall lamps, a television, a computer, a kettle and a vending machine. I turned off everything apart from the vending machine. (I didn’t want to leave the guests without cold drinks in the night.)

 

The number of lamps was unnecessary, especially the number of lamps that were switched on whilst the other guests weren’t in the same room. 

 

In the kitchen area was a large wooden chest with a large selection of Twinnings tea flavours.

 

I love herbal teas so I was beyond pleased when I saw the rare flavours they had.

 

But, the Zero Waste attitude in me kicked in and my happiness soon disappeared…

 

Every tea bag was packaged individually, all 154 of them.

 

And that’s when I thought more into the availability of consumable items.

 

In order to transport and provide luxury throughout our daily lives, we wrap everything up in plastic packaging for hygiene and ease of transport. 

Many hotel guests would find it more luxurious to see an individually wrapped tea bag than a loose tea bag in a wooden chest.  

 

This attitude applies to everything.

 

My 2 younger brothers are at the age where their appearance, materialism and social hierarchy is important. They look up to celebrities that wear designer brands and own expensive items such as clothing, accessories and electrical gadgets. The retail industry has used this to their advantage, to provide similar products owned by celebrities to the public so everyone can have the celebrity experience. 

 

Until this lavish attitude disappears, we are causing more environmental destruction.

 

If there is no demand for eco-friendly items without packaging, then the retail industries will not put an end to their production until the public refuse to make purchases.

 

In summary, this isn’t to say we stop visiting hotels, it means we spread the word to hotel owners for them to take part in protecting the environment.

 

If you are a hotel owner who promotes sustainable habits to your guests, please get in touch, I would love to hear your eco-commitment and promote your hotel.

 

What bugs you when you stay at a hotel? Tell me in the comments below, I read every single reply.