Sustainability is no longer a secondary consideration for hospitality, foodservice and retail operators – it is a strategic priority that influences customer loyalty, operational efficiency and brand reputation.

As environmental pressures mount and climate-conscious consumers become the dominant customer base, forward-thinking businesses are seeking practical, high-impact ways to reduce waste, conserve resources and protect water quality. Daniel Marquiss, VP of service at Vivreau, explores how simple measures in water management can deliver both environmental and financial benefits.

With September in full swing and customers returning in greater numbers, it’s a good moment for businesses to ask: How can we be better stewards of sustainability?

As an expert in the water dispenser industry, my advice is to start with simple fixes, particularly water consumption and habits.

Water use connects to many aspects of sustainability: plastic waste, overconsumption, pollution from frequent deliveries and the growing concern over declining water quality. Innovations in water management can reduce a company's carbon footprint, improve sustainability metrics and strengthen their bottom line – a true win-win.

Reducing plastic waste

One impactful step is tackling plastic waste.

The restaurant industry faces a particular challenge with single-use water bottles, which contribute significantly to pollution and landfill overflow. In the US alone, nearly a trillion pieces of disposable foodware and packaging are used annually, with much ending up in the environment.

To make matters worse, approximately 11 million metric tons of plastic make their way into the ocean every year.  To address this growing crisis, it’s clear that restaurants, along with the broader hospitality and retail sectors, must prioritise reducing plastic waste.

Moving away from single-use bottled water is an effective solution. Transporting bottled water adds to emissions, while sustainable alternatives – such as refillable water stations or reusable glass bottles – remove that need entirely.

For example, the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada, eliminated 1 million single-use bottles annually after adopting a sustainable water solution. While there may be upfront costs, long-term savings from reduced purchasing, transport and disposal make this a smart financial and environmental choice.

Protecting water and environment

Reducing plastic waste is important, but conserving water is equally critical. Despite water covering much of our planet, only a tiny fraction is drinkable – and we don’t always do enough to protect this vital resource.

Water quality in the US is shifting due to factors like rising temperatures, changing precipitation, runoff and sea level rise. These changes lead to regional impacts, such as flooding, drought, water contamination and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. Contaminant trends in streams, rivers and groundwater are also being monitored.

Simple fixes, like getting a 'leaky' faucet replaced or updating outdated equipment, can have a big impact on a company's bottom line. In Canada, a faucet dripping just ten times per minute can waste around 2,000 litres of water annually, according to BC Hydro. This can lead to significant costs, especially for high-usage businesses.

Water protection can also extend beyond business walls. While charitable contributions can have complex tax implications, there are creative ways to protect the planet’s water supply.

Organising beach clean-ups or tree-planting events can offer a smart alternative. Small actions like these can drive larger change, inspire other businesses in the community and boost company morale through team-building opportunities.

Appealing to the next-gen of climate-conscious consumers

Sustainability is a key priority for Gen Z consumers, making it essential for businesses to align with their values as this generation becomes a dominant customer base.

Overall, 90% of restaurant diners favour strong sustainable practices, which can lead to increased loyalty and positive word-of-mouth, ultimately driving growth.

This trend goes beyond restaurants. Eco-friendly and responsible travel experiences are becoming more popular, with the American Hotel and Lodging Association identifying sustainability as a key industry focus. According to Booking.com, nearly half of travellers are more likely to book accommodations labelled as sustainable.

Sustainability also influences hiring. A Deloitte study shows 70% of respondents value a business’s environmental policies when assessing potential employers, and 23% actively research a company’s environmental credentials before accepting a job offer.

Small steps, a big collective impact

The world is changing, and it is important to recognise the shared responsibility to adapt – not only as individuals but as business partners.

By adopting simple changes, such as switching to reusable water containers or organising a beach clean-up, businesses and industries can take small, incremental steps that, collectively, have a significant impact.

These changes can also be a win-win, reducing operational costs while building trust with new generations of consumers.