Do you bring your own shampoo bar when you travel? Zero-waste icon Bea Johnson stopped doing that a long time ago. In an interview with the Green Travel Blog, she explains that some things have already changed for the better in the quest to reduce waste (e.g., shampoo dispensers have almost become the norm). However, that’s nowhere near enough. Do you know what she would change immediately? The trash cans in hotel rooms.

Disposing of an apple core in a hotel room?

With her bestseller Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson has inspired a lifestyle movement to live (almost) waste-free—or at least to try. But her tips aren’t just for home. “I travel a lot,” she explains. “I’m currently on a trip for a talk. Just tonight, I came back to my hotel room with an apple. To dispose of the core, I had two options: throw it in the general trash or bury it in one of my plants. I definitely prefer the second option, but the hotel probably doesn’t…”

“Every hotel room should have a compost bin.”

Bea demands: “Every hotel room should have a bin for compostable waste with clear labeling and instructions.” While it’s true that more and more hotels are offering recycling, those familiar with Bea’s stance know that she isn’t calling for “more recycling of trash,” but rather, no trash at all. After all, organic waste can (in theory) return completely to the natural cycle.

Cosmetic wipes are the next problem

According to Bea, cosmetic tissues could also be placed in the compost bins she is advocating for. “I never use paper tissues myself,” she says, “but I often see them in hotel rooms.” In theory, travelers who use paper tissues could compost them—at least from the perspective of the material itself.

In practice, however, this approach fails in most countries due to the strict regulations imposed by waste management companies. For hygiene reasons (bacterial contamination) and because of the tear resistance of modern tissues, they must almost everywhere be disposed of as general waste.

Ultimately, Johnson’s personal approach proves to be the only truly practical zero-waste solution: completely avoiding paper tissues, opting instead for washable cloth handkerchiefs, and washing them in the washing machine.

What do hoteliers think about zero waste and separating waste in hotel rooms?

Now, let’s get back to the topic of organic waste bins in hotel rooms. What do hoteliers have to say about them? The Green PearlsⓇ network includes pioneers in waste reduction. One example is the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb. Like Bea Johnson, host Stephan Bode is fascinated by the idea of a “world without waste.” To achieve this goal, Bode relies primarily on the circular economy concept developed by Professor Dr. Michael Braungart. The concept behind the hotel’s Circular Living guest rooms—made entirely from fully recyclable materials—is also based on Braungart’s ideas (Cradle to CradleⓇ).

The hotel recycles 17 different types of materials

The Hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA also considers itself part of Bea Johnson’s zero-waste movement. For years, the hotel has offered a “zero-waste breakfast buffet” that is completely free of packaging waste. Additionally, the hotel sorts the waste generated during daily operations into 17 different recyclable categories.

“One important feature is our multilingual recycling station,” explains the hotel. In this facility, refuse such as bottle caps and candle wax are meticulously sorted and subsequently recycled. Additionally, employees receive regular training on waste management. “We don’t just explain which waste belongs in which category; we also explain why proper sorting is important for recycling, conserving resources, and achieving our sustainability goals.”

Hoteliers consider compost bins impractical

A compost bin in every hotel room? “No, we don’t currently have any compost bins in our rooms,” says SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. “Bea Johnson’s idea is definitely an interesting one. However, most of our organic and food waste is generated in our kitchen and restaurant, as well as during breakfast, so that’s where it’s sorted for composting.” Guest room amounts are comparatively small and vary greatly. “Having an additional compost bin would require all guests to sort their waste correctly, as well as regular, hygienic emptying and cleaning of the bins.”

“The amount of cleaning or trash bags needed is out of proportion to the amount of organic waste generated.”

The Hotel Korinjak in Croatia agrees: “In our experience, guests generally do not eat in their rooms, so very little organic food waste is generated there,” the hotel states. “Introducing a separate compost bin in every room would likely result in more effort and resource consumption than benefits. The bins would have to be emptied and cleaned regularly or, alternatively, lined with additional bags, which—for a very small amount of organic material—would represent an additional source of water consumption, cleaning supplies, or waste.”

Therefore, the Korinjak Hotel believes it makes more sense to place clearly marked containers for organic waste in appropriate common areas where guests can use them as needed.

The OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel in Tenerife adds: “In a warm climate like Tenerife’s, questions arise regarding hygiene, odor, and pest control.” Ants, in particular, are a concern given the mild temperatures year-round.

Nevertheless, OCÉANO responds, “Bea Johnson’s idea is fundamentally very interesting, and we can easily imagine that this topic would appeal to many of our guests.” They say that, looking ahead, they could envision setting up a central, well-organized collection point in the hotel similar to the one at the Hotel Korinjak. “This would allow us to implement organic waste separation in a practical way without compromising our guests’ comfort or hygiene expectations.”

The power of a single apple

As you can see, a single apple core has sparked quite a bit of discussion. While most people generate twice as much trash on vacation as they do at home, others encourage entire hotels to reduce waste.

Here’s our suggestion: The next time you have organic waste to dispose of at a hotel, don’t just throw it in the trash can in your room (or the flower pot). Instead, go the “extra mile” and ask the front desk, “Where can I dispose of compost here?”