How to apply sustainability practices to FF&E procurement
Establishing sustainable practices within the hotel and hospitality sector is becoming increasingly crucial. Discerning guests are now expecting a high-quality, healthy, and eco-friendly environment. They care about power usage, waste, local sourcing of food and beverages and sustainable furnishings. Younger travelers are increasingly seeking out establishments that are taking positive steps to address these issues. They hope to see evidence in day-to-day operations such as controlling the usage of energy and water, recycling, air quality and limiting food waste. A recent study among young people reported in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights highlighted the importance of social media in communicating sustainability efforts. The researchers noted that “hospitality marketers can use these findings to better understand young travelers’ priorities and their information-gathering process when planning travel.”
The importance of sustainable furnishings
Comfort in rooms and public areas is important, but not at the expense of harming the environment. The expectation is that furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) are functional and comfortable, but also eco-friendly. Sustainable products help to improve air quality, conserve resources, and create a more relaxed and healthy environment for guests.
It is fast becoming an economic decision for operators and designers to embrace sustainable FF&E. Visitors and business travelers are provided with many choices at many price points, and many are making decisions with the environment in mind. Sustainable furnishings can create a positive brand image for hotels and restaurants, attracting new and returning customers. For large hotel groups and hospitality chains, tracking and reporting on their environmental footprint is more than an ongoing requirement. For independent operators too, it can be a marketing opportunity.
Sustainable practices in FF&E procurement
The procurement process for furniture, fixtures and equipment is cyclical. A full or partial rennovation may only happen every 5 – 7 years. Reupholstering existing furniture can extend its life and reduce the demand for replacements. Improvements are being made in how raw materials are being used in the manufacture of fabrics and other textiles. Although such finishes may make up a small portion of the budget, they are the most visible and therefore important to the guests.
Recycling and upcycling
One approach to sustainable practices is to recycle or upcycle current inventory. Buying recycled or refreshing current items reduces the demand for new scarce resources. Look for items that are designed for disassembly. At the end of their life, they can be broken down for parts, reused, refurbished or recycled, eliminating waste.
Sourcing cost-effective sustainable suppliers
The question is: How can you evaluate buying decisions to create the greatest impact on your sustainability goals, while still managing costs? The aim is to find suppliers with sustainable certifications. With a confusion of over 500 eco-labels and certifications, external help may be needed. Agency rating services such as Mindclick are growing, enabling procurement specialists to make sense of the options.
Sourcing materials with a low environmental impact
Choose materials made from renewable resources, such as bamboo or solid wood that has been sustainably harvested. Avoid medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and particle wood which may contain toxic levels of formaldehyde in the glue.
Look for low-volatile organic compound (low-VOC) furniture e.g. mattresses and carpets. Materials with high VOC give off gases when new. They negatively impact air quality. Greenguard Gold by UL Institute is a highly respected certification in this category.
Furniture and materials that have a long life cycle can reduce waste and conserve resources, especially those that are designed to be repaired or refurbished.
What is happening in the hospitality marketplace?
The major hotel groups have wide-ranging sustainability policies that they share publicly. For example, one of Marriott International’s goals is that 100% of MI hotels will have a sustainability certification, and 650 hotels will pursue LEED certification or equivalent by 2025. LEED is a third-party green building certification program and the globally recognized standard for design, construction and operation. In the FF&E category: By 2025, MI will ensure that the top 10 FF&E product categories sourced are in the top tier of the MindClick Sustainability Assessment Program (MSAP). Other global hotel and restaurant groups and luxury boutique hotels are engaging in more sustainable FF&E practices because their clientele is demanding it.
What to look for when selecting an FF&E procurement company
Hiring an FF&E procurement company is essential to ensure that the project is completed successfully, within budget, and on time. However, with the growing importance of sustainability, it's crucial to consider the environmental impact of the procurement process.
One of the essential things to consider when hiring an FF&E procurement company is its sustainability credentials. Look for a company that has a strong commitment to sustainability and can demonstrate this through its previous projects. For instance, check if the company has certifications such as LEED, WELL, or BREEAM, which demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability. For the best results, hotel owners and developers, interior designers and the procurement team must collaborate to enable good working relationships with the chosen suppliers.
To learn more about how Pineapple Procurement can help you achieve your project goals, please contact us. Email: jackie@pineappleprocurement.com Phone: 310-734-6373
References
https://www.mindclick.com/hospitality/
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JHTI-03-2021-0062/full/html
https://www.hotelmanagement.net/own/starwood-capital-aj-capital-launch-field-stream-lodge