The Hidden Cost of Hospitality

Textile Waste in Hotels

Every year, hotels worldwide discard up to 10 million tons of linens and towels. These items, many of which are still usable or recyclable, often end up in landfills, contributing significantly to global textile waste and environmental degradation.

The hospitality industry's reliance on high turnover and pristine presentation means that slightly stained or worn-out textiles are quickly replaced. While maintaining quality standards is important, the environmental cost is staggering. Most of these discarded textiles are made from cotton or polyester blends, which can take decades to decompose and release harmful greenhouse gases as they break down.

But there's a better way forward. Hotels can play a major role in reducing textile waste by:

• Partnering with textile recycling programs

• Donating gently used items to shelters or charitable organisations

• Investing in higher-quality, longer-lasting textiles

• Training staff to identify and reuse materials internally

  
  

But why is this a hidden cost?

Because the true impact of textile waste goes far beyond the laundry room, behind every discarded sheet or towel is the cost of raw materials, water, energy, labour, transportation, and disposal. For example, producing just one cotton bath towel can require over 1,000 gallons of water. When multiplied across thousands of rooms and hundreds of properties, the environmental footprint becomes massive.

And yet, this waste is rarely tracked. Hotels meticulously monitor food waste, energy usage, and water consumption, but textile turnover often goes unnoticed. The financial cost of constant replacement, combined with the ecological damage caused by landfill waste and carbon emissions, makes this a significant yet overlooked burden on both budgets and the planet.

By bringing textile waste into the spotlight, hotels can reduce hidden costs, boost sustainability credentials, and contribute to a more responsible hospitality industry.

It’s time to take a closer look at what we throw away—and what it’s truly costing us.

Sustainable hospitality isn't just a trend—it's a responsibility. Reducing textile waste not only benefits the planet but also enhances brand reputation and guest loyalty.

Let’s rethink what we throw away.