In the race to meet rising sustainability expectations, hotels are rethinking everything—from managing energy to sourcing the everyday products that shape a guest’s stay. But one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) levers for environmental impact is procurement.
As guests increasingly seek out eco-conscious accommodations, hotels are under pressure to align their operations with greener practices. And that starts long before check-in. From toiletries and towels to kitchen equipment and cleaning supplies, the products hotels choose matter—not just for performance, but for the planet.
Valerie Layman, Chief Product Officer at BirchStreet Systems, is helping the hospitality industry lead the charge.
“With our advanced platform, hotels can access a digital catalog of sustainable products, ensuring that every purchase meets both eco-friendly standards and operational needs,” Layman explains. “This solution makes it easier to choose certified, high-quality items while saving time on manual research.”
In a world where procurement decisions are made daily—and at scale—the ability to make environmentally responsible choices effortlessly is a game-changer.
Procurement: The Hidden Engine of Hotel Sustainability
Traditionally, sourcing eco-friendly products has been time-consuming, inconsistent, and often expensive. But today’s procurement platforms are rewriting that script. Solutions, like BirchStreet offer a curated digital marketplace where hotels can vet and verify sustainability claims with just a few clicks.
That means operators can:
- Quickly compare product certifications
- Ensure consistency across multiple properties
- Streamline approvals and compliance reporting
- Avoid greenwashing by working only with trusted vendors
What used to take hours of manual research can now be completed in minutes, with full confidence that every item aligns with both brand values and environmental standards.
Sustainability Meets Operational Excellence
For hotel teams juggling cost pressures and high guest expectations, efficiency matters. Procurement technology doesn’t just reduce the environmental footprint—it enhances day-to-day performance.
By centralizing purchasing, hotels can reduce waste, cut down on redundant shipments, and take advantage of bulk discounts—all while maintaining quality and guest satisfaction. And with real-time tracking and analytics, procurement teams gain insights into where they can improve and how they’re progressing toward sustainability goals.
This kind of transparency is no longer a bonus—it’s a necessity. Today’s travelers want to know where their sheets come from, whether the soap is biodegradable, and how seriously a hotel takes its impact.
Turning Procurement Into a Competitive Advantage
Hotels that can demonstrate a commitment to responsible sourcing are already seeing returns—in brand loyalty, online reviews, and even investment interest. Procurement platforms don’t just support these goals—they make them scalable.
Whether it’s a boutique hotel or a global brand, smart procurement is now a strategic advantage, helping hospitality leaders make sustainability not just part of the conversation, but part of the operation.
Read the full article in Hotel Technology.