Plastic Reduction & EVs: Inside easyJet’s Sustainable Hotels

The hospitality sector faces mounting pressure to address sustainability challenges, with plastic waste and carbon emissions emerging as critical priorities for hotels and food service operations.

According to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), more than half of plastic production annually is destined for a single-use product.

Hotels partnering with major tour operators are at the forefront of implementing sustainable practices that could reshape industry standards.

Hotel certification programmes expand

easyJet Holidays has expanded its sustainability initiatives across Mediterranean destinations, working directly with accommodation providers to reduce single-use plastics and lower carbon footprints throughout the guest experience.

The economic impact of these partnerships extends far beyond environmental metrics.

A study commissioned by easyJet to Tourism Economics (part of Oxford Economics) found that in 2025, easyJet Holidays generated €5.9bn (US$6.9bn) in economic output across Spain, Greece and Turkey, contributing €2.4bn (US$2.8bn) to GDP, supporting around 42,900 jobs and producing €678m (US$796.8m) in tax revenues.

For hotels, these figures underscore the value of package tourism partnerships.

Customers spent an estimated €1.2bn (US$1.4bn) with local businesses, with holidaymakers tending to stay longer than average visitors, directly benefiting hotel restaurants, bars and local food suppliers.

More than 2,800 properties in easyJet's portfolio now hold internationally recognised sustainability certificates.

The certification push has targeted high-volume properties, including 42 of its top 100 highest-volume hotels.

These certifications, developed in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), provide hotels with a framework for implementing measurable sustainability standards.

For hospitality operators, achieving certification offers competitive advantages as environmentally conscious travel continues to grow.

More than a third of best-selling properties in 2024 were already certified, suggesting that sustainability credentials influences booking patterns.

Reducing single-use plastics

According to SHA, 32% of all plastic packaging ends up in our oceans each year.

Hotels are responding to both environmental data and guest expectations by eliminating single-use plastics from operations.

Four partner hotels and chains in Menorca, Spain, have undergone a certification process, supported by audits and guidance from easyJet Holidays.

More than 50 kg of plastic waste has been avoided through this initiative.

The introduction of more than 100 plastic-free alternatives hotels are adopting across hotels, affecting everything from minibar packaging to restaurant service items and bathroom amenities.

"As a mainstream tour operator, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to help shape the future of travel," says Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet Holidays.

"This year's Impact Report highlights the progress we're making and, for the first time, helps quantify the wider contribution of our holidays through our partnership with Oxford Economics."

Addressing food waste challenges

Beyond plastics, hotels are tackling food waste through partnerships with specialist organisations.

easyJet has partnered with Winnow to actively tackle food waste across hotels, aiming to reduce waste at scale.

For hotel kitchens and buffet operations, food waste represents both an environmental concern and a financial loss.

Technology-driven solutions helps properties monitor and reduce waste whilst maintaining service standards.

The holiday company has also expanded sustainable transport options.

More than 11,000 customers have used electric transfers on holidays, with EVs covering an estimated 500,000 km and saving more than 86 tonnes of CO₂e.

Following a successful launch in Rhodes, Greece, easyJet is expanding EV transfers to Antalya, Turkey.

"From expanding our certified hotel portfolio to scaling lower-carbon transport and supporting local communities, we're focused on delivering measurable change at scale," says Garry.

"This report shows how we're turning practical solutions into meaningful action across mainstream travel."

To solidify its commitment, easyJet has partnered with UN Tourism to create the first ESG framework for business in the tourism sector.

"Our work with Oxford Economics is an important step in understanding and evidencing that contribution, helping ensure we continue to deliver value not only for our customers, but for the destinations and communities we serve."

For hotels, these partnerships signals a shift towards industry-wide sustainability standards that balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.