As we close the chapter on 2025, it’s time to look ahead and make 2026 a year of real impact when it comes to sustainability. These practical ideas will help you set bold, achievable resolutions that will make a difference for your business, your community, and the planet.
Review your utility data for the past year. Look for anomalies, compare the data against occupancy rates, and set realistic reduction targets for the year ahead.
Evaluate what worked well in 2025. Check your action plan – update it, add new actions, and make it the central tool for your sustainability efforts.
Single use items: audit all disposable items, not just plastics. Can you replace any of these with sustainable alternatives?
Offers for customers: can you reward guests when they make sustainable choices? This could include skipping a room clean or towel change, bringing a re-usable cup, or using public transport to get to your venue.
Light pollution: review both exterior and interior lighting. Can you install timers or motion sensors for corridors, or solar-powered options for external paths?
Update and review your community and charity commitments. Explore new local opportunities, and allocate time and budget for the upcoming year.
Take care of your grounds and gardens. Plan spring planting with biodiversity in mind, clean nest boxes, fill up feeders, and ensure there is a supply of water for wildlife.
Increase the plant-based options on your menus. For larger menus, can you aim for 15-25% of your menu. For smaller menus, ensure you have at least one plant-based option per course.
Offer green packages for guests and delegates. Highlight your existing sustainable practices, and offer other eco-friendly add-ons such as carbon reporting, menu preordering, paperless meetings, and donations to your chosen project or charity.
New Year, new opportunities: inspire your guests, engage your suppliers, and showcase your sustainable initiatives to ensure your business is known for its eco-friendly practices.
Sustain staff engagement. Run training sessions, workshops and challenges to embed sustainability into everyday operations and culture.
