{
  "id": 8128173,
  "title": "Circular economy pilot projects show hotels can reduce waste and costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/circular-economy-pilot-projects-show-hotels-can-reduce-waste-and-costs",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T00:00:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-circular-economy-hotels.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), effective since August 12, 2026, has prompted the hotel industry to reduce reliance on single-use plastics in food and toiletries packaging. Hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses are pressured to adopt circular economy principles of reduce, reuse, reprocess, and recycle. A recent WWF Germany, Kühne Logistics University (KLU), Motel One, and Leonardo Hotels report highlights successful pilot projects demonstrating how these principles can simultaneously reduce costs and enhance sustainability. Motel One Aachen achieved a 4.6 metric ton reduction in residual waste and 30% cost savings by using recyclable lightweight packaging and trash can liners. In Hamburg, Motel One's reusable packaging for fruit salads avoided 423 kilograms of single-use plastic with stable return rates. Leonardo Hotels Central Europe assessed existing furniture for potential reuse, refurbishment, or remanufacturing, successfully reusing significant amounts of hotel furniture during renovations in Berlin and Hanover. These pilots underscored that circular economy practices can coexist with economic efficiency, achieved through systematic material flow analysis, collaboration with partners, employee engagement, and guest participation. WWF Germany emphasizes that resource conservation and waste reduction not only lower costs but also strengthen the long-term viability of the hotel industry.",
  "summary": "The new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) has been in effect since Aug. 12, 2026. Under this regulation, beginning in January 2030, the food service industry may no longer buy food or toiletries packaged in single-use plastic—for example, ketchup packets or individually wrapped bars of soap. This is increasing pressure on hotels, restaurants and catering businesses to act.",
  "key_points": [
    "EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) effective since August 12, 2026",
    "Motel One Aachen reduced residual waste by 4.6 metric tons",
    "Leonardo Hotels Central Europe reused furniture during renovations"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The hotel industry's adoption of circular economy principles, driven by regulations like the EU Packaging Regulation, enables cost savings and sustainability enhancements, bolstering long-term viability through reduced waste and efficient resource use.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}