To what Extent do Kolkata’s Star Hotels Practice Sustainable Waste Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/pjhas.2025.11.2.4Keywords:
Hospitality industry, sustainable waste management, environmental impact, Kolkata, metropolitanAbstract
Background: The hospitality industry, a major contributor to global environmental issues, is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. While the concept of sustainability has gained momentum worldwide, the extent of its adoption in emerging urban centres like Kolkata remains unclear. Objective: The objectives are to explore and implement innovative waste management technology and practices in Kolkata star hotels to reduce environment impact and maximize resource recovery, where also identify and addressing the barriers hindering their adoption to promote sustainable waste management in hospitality sector. Methodology: This study explored sustainable waste management practices in five stars hotels in Kolkata. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions with supervisory staff from renowned hotel chain were done. The research adopted a qualitative design, with a total sample size of 30 participants. Data was analysed thematically to identify trends. Results: Kolkata’s hotel industry faces challenges in sustainable waste management due to financial constraints, technological limitations, infrastructure gaps, and guest behaviour. Progress has been made through waste segregation, plastic reduction, and digital tools. Overcoming these challenges requires government support, technological advancements, community engagement, and behavioural change programs. By integrating waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery, hotels can establish a sustainable circular economy model. Conclusion: Continuous monitoring, innovation, and collaboration are circular for long-term success.
References
Abad, M. A. H., & Reyes Jr, R. V. (2025). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of tourism and hospitality management students towards innovative plastic waste management using solar energy. Review of Management and Sustainability Studies. https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.17660
Altendorfer, F., Leitner-Hanetseder, S., & Briganti, P. (2024). Digital and smart technology for sustainability in tourism and hospitality. In Tourism and hospitality for sustainability (pp. 35–56). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003456445-3
Ballester, E., Ruiz, C., & Rubio, N. (2025). Has COVID-19 altered consumers’ green brand image of hotels? In Handbook on Big Data Marketing and Management in Tourism and Hospitality (pp. 75–111). https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035300136.00011
Bohdanowicz, P. (2005). European hoteliers’ environmental attitudes: Greening the business. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 46(2), 188–204. https://doi.org/10.1177/0010880404273891
Bohdanowicz, P. (2006). Environmental awareness and initiatives in the Swedish and Polish hotel industries—Survey results. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 25(4), 662–682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2005.06.006
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2008). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cami, S. (2025). Circular economy in tourism and hospitality in Durres, Albania. Durres University Research Repository. http://dspace.epoka.edu.al/handle/1/2640
Chan, E. S. W., & Wong, S. C. K. (2006). Motivations for ISO 14001 in the hotel industry. Tourism Management, 27(3), 481–492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2004.10.007
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Gössling, S., Peeters, P., Hall, C. M., Ceron, J. P., Dubois, G., Lehmann, L. V., & Scott, D. (2012). Tourism and water use: Supply, demand, and security—An international review. Tourism Management, 33(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.03.015
Guerrero, L. A., Maas, G., & Hogland, W. (2013). Solid waste management challenges for cities in developing countries. Waste Management, 33(1), 220–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.09.008
Gupta, N., Yadav, K. K., & Kumar, V. (2015). A review on current status of municipal solid waste management in India. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 37, 206–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2015.01.034
Hoornweg, D., & Bhada-Tata, P. (2012). What a waste: A global review of solid waste management. World Bank, Urban Development Series Knowledge Papers (No. 15).
Jones, P., Hillier, D., & Comfort, D. (2014). Sustainability in the global hotel industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 26(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2012-0180
Kasim, A. (2009). Managerial attitudes towards environmental management among small and medium hotels in Kuala Lumpur. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 17(6), 709–725. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580902928468
Mensah, I. (2006). Environmental management practices among hotels in the Greater Accra region. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 25(3), 414–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2005.02.003
Papadimitriou, A., Mavragani, E., & Greidl, B. (2025). Leveraging AI for ESG advancement in green hotels: Exploring sustainability, innovation, and challenges. In LMDE 2025 conference proceedings (pp. 279–292). LMDE. https://lmde.net/images/BoA_LMDE_2025.pdf#page=279
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Perna, G., Varriale, L., & Di Vaio, A. (2024). Digital product passports and smart waste monitoring in inclusive hotels. In Tourism and hospitality for sustainability (pp. 21–34). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003456445-2
Pirani, S. I., & Arafat, H. A. (2014). Reduction of food waste generation in the hospitality industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 132, 129–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.07.146
Pires, A., Martinho, G., & Chang, N.-B. (2011). Solid waste management in European countries: A review of systems analysis techniques. Journal of Environmental Management, 92(4), 1033–1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.11.024
Rana, V. S., Raina, A., & Bathla, G. (2025). Global sustainable practices in gastronomic tourism. Springer Nature.
Rhou, Y., & Singal, M. (2020). A review of the business case for CSR in the hospitality industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 84, 102330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2019.102330
Ricaurte, E. (2011). Developing a sustainability measurement framework for hotels. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 52(1), 40–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/1938965510378842
Silverman, D. (2020). Qualitative research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Singh, J., & Ordoñez, I. (2016). Resource recovery from post-consumer waste. Journal of Cleaner Production, 134, 342–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.020
Singh, P., & Chandel, S. (2017). Waste management practices in Indian urban hotels. Indian Journal of Environmental Studies, 24(1), 59–74.
Umumararungu, W., & Njenga, G. (2025). Sustainable business practices for competitive advantage in the hospitality industry in Rwanda. International Journal of Advanced Business Studies, 5(2), 41–56. https://doi.org/10.59857/DTYV6913
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
Wilson, D. C., Velis, C. A., & Cheeseman, C. (2006). Role of informal sector recycling in waste management in developing countries. Habitat International, 30(4), 797–808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2005.09.005
World Bank. (2018). What a waste 2.0: A global snapshot of solid waste management to 2050. World Bank.

