Eliminating plastic waste to meet customer expectations
Over half (53%) of consumers say reducing single use plastic is the most important sustainability initiative when choosing a hospitality business, far more than carbon neutrality (17%) or providing plant-based menus (14%), new research by leading water dispenser brand BRITA VIVREAU has revealed[1].
Consumers have made positive environmental changes in their everyday lives to reduce single use plastic, including using reusable bottles (60%), using a reusable cup for takeaway hot drinks (41%) and making hot drinks at home to take out with them (38%). And they expect hospitality businesses to take similar measures to eliminate single use plastic bottled water and provide water refill stations.
However, there are certain hospitality settings where consumers feel less comfortable asking for their reusable bottles to be refilled, despite the majority (62%) using reusable bottles in everyday life to reduce single use plastic. 75% said they would be likely to use a water refill station in a hospitality setting, but almost a third (32%) would feel uncomfortable asking to refill their bottle in a fine dining restaurant and almost a quarter (24%) would feel uncomfortable in a 5* hotel.
Chris Dagenais, General Manager, BRITA VIVREAU UK, says:
“The government ban on single use plastics coming into effect in October will mean eliminating single use plastic is front of mind for hospitality operators. By demonstrating a move towards reducing waste, operators can show they are aligned with their customer’s values and forge stronger relationships with them. We want to support businesses in their efforts to reduce single use plastic and spearhead a move towards a ‘refill’ culture to meet consumer demands and help the planet.”
To help hospitality operators achieve these goals, BRITA VIVREAU has launched a mini toolkit providing actionable insight for businesses to reduce their single use plastic. Taking steps to choose sustainable equipment like a BRITA VIVREAU water dispenser can help cut out single use plastic and reduce up to 86% of CO₂ each year compared to bottled water.
Visit www.brita.co.uk/bubbling-under-hospitality to download the toolkit.
