It is astounding to know that hotels are one of the foremost industries that produce some of the most significant waste in a year. This places pressure on the hospitality section to minimize the environmental impact by various methods. Since they understand the necessity of upping their game in combating climate change, they have upped their recycling, which has significantly reduced their waste production.
It is not enough, however. To become less extravagant and therefore more appealing to diners and hotel guests, most of whom are also environmentalists by necessity, they turned to solar power, food waste composting, and bamboo-made hotel products.
As it is, they have found out that the largest contributing factor to their waste problem is their single-use policy. While it is apparent that said policy cannot be eliminated for the sake of sanitation, it does still cause an unprecedented amount of plastic waste. This is how and why they came up with environment-friendly hotel items.
Bamboo products instead of plastic
Sustainable is the new black in terms of attractiveness to potential clients and consumers. Hotels, like most industries, have jumped up and joined the wagon to help reduce the infliction of further harm to our Earth. By carrying and offering biodegradable items like shower caps, toothbrushes and other dental kits, and bamboo dining utensils.
Imagine the amount of plastic waste produced from the single use of toothbrushes and shampoo and shower gel bottles alone. For big hotels, this means hundreds—even thousands—of customers, each with a couple or more plastic items for their use alone. To prevent this staggering amount of waste from ever being produced again in the hospitality industry, they have decided to do something about it, and they have indeed.
Why bamboo is the perfect material for going green
Bamboos are well known for their durability and versatility. It is also quite strong, even without processing. The strength of its cellular structure makes it the perfect material for hotel products. Of course, there’s also the fact that it is biodegradable. It doesn’t add to the planet’s waste since it breaks down and returns to the Earth after a while. Unlike plastic which is so durable, it endures forever.
From pens, razor and comb handles, clothes hangers, spoons, cups, and toothbrushes, bamboo has now infiltrated the hospitality industry with its promise of sustainability. It has reached further and somehow came up with the perfect bamboo-made fabrics for bed sheets, pillowcases, slippers, laundry bags, towels, comforters, and more! Bamboo-made materials are not only highly comfortable, but they also have the unique feature of being anti-bacterial. This makes them the better option for articles of clothing like socks and slippers.
The production of these fabrics also has a lower environmental impact compared to the production of petroleum-based polyesters.
Furthermore, it is more absorbent than cotton. Bamboo-made fabrics can take in three times their weight in water, essentially 40% more absorbent than cotton. This feature makes it a better material for making bathrobes and towels.
Benefits of bamboo products
As we know, bamboos are one of the world’s fastest-growing plants. Unlike other trees and plants that need the assistance of pesticides and fertilizers to thrive, bamboos grow in an earth-friendly way—meaning with hardly any help. This fast-growing ability with the most negligible impact on the environment makes it one of the world’s virtually unlimited and sustainable natural resources.
Aside from the fact that bamboo farms are magnificent to look at, their grain is also elegant and natural-looking. These qualities make bamboo an aesthetic and durable material for consumer products.
Second, the tensile strength of bamboo is 28,000 pounds per square inch, according to Business Insider. It’s stronger than oak. If you are unsure about what that means, think about how the tensile strength of mild steel is only 23,000 pounds per square inch. Notable isn’t it.
Third, bamboo is a natural UV-resistant material, making it a better clothing fabric. In addition, contrary to popular belief, bamboo is much more resistant to warping and rot caused by moisture than other woods. Of course, this doesn’t mean you don’t need to care for your bamboo products properly. You should so they will last longer.
Fourth, textiles made from bamboo are softer and feel more heavenly than cotton. Towels, sheets, and clothing made from bamboo have breathable, thermo-regulating properties. In short, it provides a more comfortable night’s rest. People who have tried sleeping on bamboo sheets tend not to want to sleep in anything other than bamboo sheets after just one night.
Fifth, bamboo is also recognized as an Earth-friendly material. It captures more carbon dioxide and provides more oxygen to the planet—about 35% more than other similarly-sized trees. It is also a naturally prolific plant that does not require much care to grow properly. And since bugs are not inclined nor interested to rest and eating this giant grass, it does not require pesticides to grow up healthy.
Sixth, bamboo grows anywhere. It does not require much water to develop, but it can also grow in wet conditions. It’s not a human competitor for freshwater, making a bamboo forest a rather excellent investment.
Finally, bamboo is not considered a nearly-unlimited resource for anything. It has a 25% higher yield compared to other massive trees. As such, there is no need to worry about the supply not being able to keep up with the demand for quality products. Their fast growth rate equals sustainability.
The fact that each culm is cut at ground level when bamboo is harvested adds to its sustainable feature. Its system of roots remains in the ground, thereby causing quick sprouting of more bamboo shoots. It is also notable how its root origins are so durable that it helps the soil resist erosion. Bamboo is planted along riverbanks in some places specifically to prevent soil erosion. Its benefits are countless, which makes it such a popular material for amazingly aesthetic and efficient—not to mention high quality—bamboo products in hotels.
