The spa and wellness industry is constantly evolving its operations to be more sustainable and produce a greener spa experience for spa pros and guests. Hear from industry veterans on what they do to make their spas more sustainable and their tips for best practices to make your spa greener.
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The spa and wellness industry is constantly evolving its operations to be more sustainable and produce a greener spa experience for spa pros and guests. Hear from industry veterans on what they do to make their spas more sustainable and their tips for best practices to make your spa greener.
Michael Beresford, founder and president, Moor Spa: Product packaging is the No.1 contributor to plastic waste on the planet. The spa industry should be leading the way in sustainability and providing solutions to plastic waste by using products with biodegradable packaging. Moor Spa’s product packaging is now completely biodegradable thanks to D2W, a substance in our packaging materials that causes the plastic to completely biodegrade, leaving no trace of toxic residue or persistent microplastics that pollute our planet.
Gloria AhSam, spa director, Nalu Spa at Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Hawaii: We incorporate Hawaiian cultural practices using locally sourced ingredients. To further establish Turtle Bay’s ethos of Aloha Aina, a love and nurturing care for the land, our spa team takes concerted steps to save the planet: All beverages are dispensed and served in refillable and reusable containers, and we prioritize companies that package products in glass for easier recycling. Whenever possible, we purchase backbar items in bulk and try to limit our number of vendors to reduce unnecessary waste and shrink shipping-related emissions.
We prioritize brands that use a high percentage of post-consumer waste materials and show expressed interest in sustainability. Finally, we only sell reef-friendly sunscreen to protect our oceans. We strive to educate our guests about the importance of taking care of our land and the ocean, and to be pono (always do the right thing).
Lynn Curry, principal, Curry Spa Consulting: Add filtered water stations throughout the property, not just in the spa and fitness center. Sell sustainably branded bottles in your retail area and encourage use while on property; you can also offer these as VIP gifts. Opt for robes and pool towels made with bamboo or lighter cotton for faster drying times, and add reminders at the clean linen areas that guests can help save water by using fewer linens. Designate garbage bins with recycle, compost and trash identification, and join GSN Planet to learn more about sustainable spa brands and practices.
Kim Carmichael, spa director, Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver: We have a single-use plastic-free initiative that encompasses the hotel as a whole. All of our spa amenities are single-use plastic-free, from the snacks, tea and water bottles we serve the guests, to the equipment like razors, shower caps, toothbrushes and more. When choosing our spa treatments and products, all plastics have been entirely eliminated and orders are always placed in bulk. We have pushed our vendors to become more sustainable, and as a result they have modified the way they deliver products to us. Additionally, we source products from local Vancouver brands in order to reduce our carbon footprint.
April Church, spa and salon director, Brick Canvas Spa, Lehi, Utah: The amount of products used in spa treatments is the biggest factor in being eco-friendly. We are part of GSN Planet and choose sustainable products such as Éminence and Acrely Farms. We use paperless forms for new guests and consultations, which is not only greener but also so much easier for everyone. One way to cut down on water use is to advise guests to leave those healthy massage oils on their skin instead of showering after treatment.
Kimberlee Geng, U.S. director of education, Pure Fiji: Spas worldwide can make efforts to use energy from renewable sources, switch to more natural yet effective cleaning products, reduce plastics, reuse and recycle where they can. To help achieve these goals, consider hiring a chief sustainability officer (CSO). CSOs help companies reduce their carbon footprint by prioritizing low-impact energy consumption, such as switching to energy efficient lighting and fixtures, using solar panels and geothermal heating, rainwater recycling, waste reduction and employee education on sustainable practices.
Offer immersive workshops for your guests about ways they can protect and preserve marine wildlife, sustainable home gardening lessons and other ways they can practice sustainability in their daily lives.
It is also important to provide an ethical and natural product range like Pure Fiji in your spa, so clients can receive holistic treatments from a sustainably sourced, hand-harvested and cruelty-free product line.
Penny Kriel, corporate director of spa & wellness, Salamander Hotels & Resorts: Reach out to the local community so you can support and contribute to their sustainable initiatives. Ensure your spa has a recycling program for waste materials, as well as for retail; you can offer guests a spa or retail credit when they return with empty glass pr plastic jars purchased from you. Choose 100% cotton terry linens, as they require less energy and dry time.
Thor Holm, president of the board of directors, GSN Planet; spa director, Well Spa at Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: We recently installed a FloWater Dispenser in our facility and eliminated all single-use water bottles. We are providing guests and members with higher quality water, and over a year’s time we will have kept over 40,000 bottles from being used. We utilize a QR code for our spa menu in lieu of printing, which allows us to update the menu with no delays and eliminates printing brochures. We also donate used equipment to local schools.
