Hospes Programme: Hotels Saving Water by Giving Goods a New Life

The HOSPES Program, an initiative of the Portuguese Hotel Association (AHP), has been a game-changer in promoting environmental sustainability and social responsibility within the hospitality sector. One of the innovative components of this programme is the exchange and donation of hotel goods, a practice that indirectly contributes to water conservation by giving items a new lease of life rather than discarding them.

The main goal of the HOSPES Program is to foster a culture of sustainability in the hotel industry by reducing waste, promoting reuse, and minimising the environmental impact of hospitality operations. By extending the lifecycle of hotel goods through donations and exchanges, the programme also aims to save resources, including water, that would otherwise be consumed in the production of new items. The goods, all in good condition, are donated to the social sector through a network created and managed by AHP, which already includes over 170 social entities. All transactions are conducted through a web-based platform for programme management.

Quote:
"We believe that every small action towards sustainability counts, and the HOSPES Program is proof of that." — Cristina Siza Vieira, CEO / Executive Vice-President, AHP.

The biggest challenge for the HOSPES Program is maintaining the enthusiasm and active participation of hotels while expanding the network of participants. To achieve this, the programme has been aligned with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, ensuring that it becomes a significant contributor to hotels' non-financial performance and their impact on the community.

This practice not only supports social causes but also reduces the demand for new goods, thereby saving water and other resources that would otherwise be required for manufacturing. From 2013 to June 2024, through the donation and repurposing of hotel goods, the HOSPES Program has saved approximately 755,861,720 litres of water. This achievement highlights the substantial impact that indirect water conservation measures can have when integrated into broader sustainability strategies.

The success of the HOSPES Program’s goods exchange initiative has had far-reaching effects, inspiring numerous hotels to adopt more sustainable practices, reducing their environmental footprint, and contributing to community welfare.

The programme continues to thrive with ongoing support from participating hotels and stakeholders. By maintaining a strong network and regularly promoting the benefits of reuse, the HOSPES Program demonstrates that sustainability in the hospitality sector extends beyond direct water-saving measures. By giving hotel goods a new life, we save resources, including water, and inspire others to consider the broader impact of their actions on the environment.

#WaterWiseEU campaign 

This story has been submitted by a partner of the #WaterWiseEU campaign. The EU-wide campaign focuses on water resilience, aiming to change the way we see, use and value water. Find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved.