Longevity Retreat - ADLER Spa Resort THERMAE
21.12.2025 - 04.10.2026
| 3 nights
from 1944,- € per person
Zero Waste in Hospitality: Vision or Reality?
A sincere look at possibilities, limits and practical paths
The idea of a waste-free hotel is appealing, even visionary, though difficult to imagine. No single-use bottles in the bathroom, no leftovers at the breakfast buffet, no packaging piling up behind the scenes. A place fully committed to the Zero Waste principle – mindful, sustainable, and deliberate.
But how realistic is this, really?
But how realistic is this, really?
We’ve chosen not to limit ourselves to a theoretical answer, but to seek it in our daily practice – by closely observing all areas of our ADLER Resorts: from the kitchen to the restaurant, from the rooms to the spa. And to be honest: it’s not about eliminating all waste, but about learning to manage resources more consciously. Step by step – together with all the people who make change possible: our team members, who turn this vision into daily action; our partners and suppliers, who rethink existing solutions alongside us; and of course, our guests, who choose to be part of it with openness and awareness.
The ADLER approach: step by step, with clarity and realism
Change starts small – and rarely follows a straight line. It’s shaped by many small decisions, and not all of them are easy. In hospitality, it’s a constant balancing act: hygiene regulations, logistical efficiency, and the comfort we want to offer our guests often intersect with our ecological goals.
Our suppliers play a vital role, too. Many of them need time to adjust their systems or develop alternatives. Some things simply can't (yet) be replaced. And not everything that appears sustainable truly is – just as not all plastic is automatically the wrong choice.
So for us, Zero Waste doesn't mean zero waste. It means: first avoid, then reduce, then recycle – and only as a last step, dispose.
As part of our ADLER for Planet program, we regularly review where better alternatives can already be implemented – and apply them wherever we can take direct responsibility. Where more than one decision is needed, we seek dialogue: with suppliers, partners, and all those who want to shape this path with us.
Small Changes – Real Impact
Two current examples show what’s already possible today – and how much power lies in carefully considered decisions:
These initiatives show that change begins when we question routines, communicate transparently – and view guests as active participants in the process.
With openness, perseverance and a shared mindset, much can be achieved.
In our next blog post, we’ll take a closer look at both of these initiatives – with data, comparisons and tangible results.
Stay tuned.
The ADLER approach: step by step, with clarity and realism
Change starts small – and rarely follows a straight line. It’s shaped by many small decisions, and not all of them are easy. In hospitality, it’s a constant balancing act: hygiene regulations, logistical efficiency, and the comfort we want to offer our guests often intersect with our ecological goals.
Our suppliers play a vital role, too. Many of them need time to adjust their systems or develop alternatives. Some things simply can't (yet) be replaced. And not everything that appears sustainable truly is – just as not all plastic is automatically the wrong choice.
So for us, Zero Waste doesn't mean zero waste. It means: first avoid, then reduce, then recycle – and only as a last step, dispose.
As part of our ADLER for Planet program, we regularly review where better alternatives can already be implemented – and apply them wherever we can take direct responsibility. Where more than one decision is needed, we seek dialogue: with suppliers, partners, and all those who want to shape this path with us.
Small Changes – Real Impact
Two current examples show what’s already possible today – and how much power lies in carefully considered decisions:
- Switching our courtesy line to refill dispensers has significantly reduced packaging waste.
- Clearly communicating our slipper policy before arrival has led to noticeably less waste.
These initiatives show that change begins when we question routines, communicate transparently – and view guests as active participants in the process.
With openness, perseverance and a shared mindset, much can be achieved.
In our next blog post, we’ll take a closer look at both of these initiatives – with data, comparisons and tangible results.
Stay tuned.