Eco changes that feel more like cost cutting than saving the planet

[Lemonthyme]

I get so fed up with reading about ecological changes which have been made by companies but are really just to save them money.

I'm not a Luddite. I believe climate change is absolutely real but some of these changes are more about cash than climate, and others, I think just move the energy / waste elsewhere.

For example:

1. Room cleaning "only on request" in hotels.
2. Reducing plate size in hotel breakfasts to "reduce waste".
3. Removing the clip on caps from things like hummus to "reduce plastic" meaning that you have to use cling film or a bag at home if you don't eat it in one go.
4. Removing BBD from some fruit and veg, while I do realise some will last beyond the date, I like to know how long I can expect it to last. It helps me plan what to buy and when to use it. I think this causes less food waste in store and fewer yellow sticker reductions and more waste in the home.
5. Reusable bags for fruit and vegetables. Horrible things. You need to wash them as you don't want tomatoes in them one day after potatoes the day before and the microplastics released when you wash them must be horrendous. A solution for someone who really never thought it through.

There are some I accept now as I think the balance is as much in the favour of the planet as in favour of companies saving money so I'm not a complete grouch about it all, like:

1. Not changing towels in hotels unless asked. I'm used to it now.
2. Having multi use shampoo bottles in showers and soap dispensers rather than individual use.
3. Moving to the vac pack mince packing. Ok, not my favourite but can see the massive reduction in plastic waste from using it.

Some things I wish they did instead.

1. Had proper fresh milk dispensers in a shared area in a hotel (you can buy them that run off large fresh milk containers) to get rid of those nasty UHT milk sachets which taste horrible.
2. Ask you to order 15 or so minutes by phone for breakfast in hotels so it's cooked to order. Reduced waste, nicer food.
3. Smaller packs of stuff or more ability to choose what weight you want (and in paper not plastic bags) although Morrisons at least have started doing paper bags. Choosing what you actually want ends up with less waste at home.

Both things can be true.

I hope the cost savings translates into more affordable hotel rates, or worker salaries. if you’re saying you’re a bit skeptical - for larger hotels so am I.

Your examples seem a bit odd though. I have never been offended by a smaller plate and I wouldn’t expect a fresh cooked breakfast at a typical hotel- if that was important to me I’d stay somewhere else or get room only and take breakfast out. I also think the mass milk dispenser would be yucky - what’s more appealing to me is would be well-managed coffee/tea facilities in reception but I can imagine the outrage and doing away with kettles in bedrooms…

Yeah I agree that both things can be true but I doubt it is being translated into anything better for workers or customers.

I'm not offended by a smaller plate, what I'm offended by is the positioning. "We're doing this for food waste" is absolute BS. I used to run projects on food waste so it's probably why it's so noticeable for me. When you have a buffet, food waste isn't primarily driven by what is left on peoples plates but the amount cooked. What smaller plates will do is cause people to eat less (there's loads of research out there on that) which I personally don't mind but what I do mind is them positioning something as a planet saving measure when, if anything, it's BS, it's ONLY a cost saving measure. I only suggested the fresh cooked option as that being a genuine reduction in food waste (if they actually wanted to do that but they don't.)

I've worked in dairy sites with those milk dispensers. They don't get yucky to be honest. But it's just an idea. Some places I've stayed in if they actually have a fridge put some proper milk in there but I'd rather not encourage a fridge in every room.