Climate change and environmental issues are global issues. With massive volumes of garbage generated, energy consumed, and disposable goods, the hotel business has a significant environmental impact. Many Corporate Housing and Serviced Apartment providers are conscious of their environmental responsibilities, with many top companies stating that they are eager to contribute to the greening of the industry. So, what can providers do to reduce the carbon footprint of the industry?
Corporate Housing and Serviced Apartments can be a more environmentally friendly option compared to hotels, which is a big selling feature. The energy consumed within the houses or flats is significantly lower than in a hotel; for example, lighting in the lobby or reception area do not need to be left on, and there is no need for a daily maid or cleaning service, resulting in the usage of significantly less laundry. There are also significantly fewer employees on-site, whose daily travels to work could be detrimental in terms of emissions.
Environmental policies are also being implemented by Corporate Housing and Serviced Apartment operators. Soap bars will be provided (replacing liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner bottles), standard lightbulbs will be replaced with eco-friendly equivalents, and recycling facilities will be available on site. Solar panels are being erected on property roofs where practicable, and low-flow toilets and showers are also being used to save water.
Corporate housing providers are also promoting the use of public transportation by making timetables and other information available to assignees, and some are providing residents with bicycles as a greener alternative to vehicles. Laundry services are being evaluated and their carbon footprints are being decreased, and greener providers are being chosen. For concierge services, diesel automobiles have been substituted by electric vehicles, and providers are openly promoting environmental awareness.
Corporate housing providers should not underestimate the demand for ethical housing options – clients want to be seen as environmentally conscious, so providing an environmentally-conscious option for corporate housing can make the overall corporate rental offering more appealing (and thus more profitable)! Going green provides Corporate Housing and Serviced Apartment providers with an additional selling point to attract new business.
The obvious benefit of these modifications is that they lessen Corporate Housing's environmental effect; nevertheless, providers who are unfamiliar with the concept of "green living" may be apprehensive that green practices will be costly to establish and maintain. However, as a growing number of suppliers recognise customer need for energy-efficient solutions, services are becoming cheaper. Utility bills are decreased when energy usage and waste are reduced.