As global tourism continues to grow, the hospitality industry faces increasing expectations to reduce its environmental impact. At Green Key, we recognise that sustainability must be integrated into all aspects of hotel operations—including daily cleaning practices.
While often overlooked, cleaning operations can significantly affect a property's environmental and health performance, from chemical usage and water consumption to indoor air quality. That’s why more hotels are moving toward verified, plant-based cleaning solutions that deliver measurable results.
As part of our commitment to driving continuous improvement in hospitality, Green Key includes a criterion related to chemical use in daily cleaning. Specifically, we require that at least 75% of all chemical cleaning products used on a daily basis carry a recognised eco-label. This ensures that the majority of products used by certified properties meet strict standards for environmental responsibility, formulation safety, and overall impact. Choosing such products isn’t just about ticking a box—it reflects a broader commitment to responsible operations and transparent sourcing.
Why responsible cleaning is integral to certification goals
Properties pursuing or maintaining Green Key certification are expected to demonstrate clear action in areas such as chemical management, resource efficiency, and health and safety. Conventional cleaning products often rely on fossil-derived ingredients, single-use plastic packaging, and synthetic additives—all of which contribute to emissions, waste, and long-term environmental degradation.
Responsible cleaning offers a practical and impactful path forward: one that aligns with the criteria of Green Key certification while supporting the well-being of staff, guests, and the wider environment.
Certified solutions backed by independent assessment
Our partner Diversey's SURE™ product range provides an example of a science-based, independently certified solution. These products are:
These certifications are reviewed regularly, providing ongoing assurance of compliance with high environmental and safety standards.
Supporting the 4 Pillars of net positive hospitality
Diversey’s recent innovations aligns with Green Key’s vision of Net Positive Hospitality, where hotels actively contribute to regeneration and community well-being. Responsible cleaning directly supports this ambition by adding value across four key areas:
Planet
The formulations are 100% biodegradable (based on independent assessments) and made from renewable, non-petrochemical sources. They reduce chemical and plastic pollution and help conserve water and energy, contributing to lower emissions and the protection of ecosystems.
Place
By embracing circularity and using products certified by Cradle to Cradle™, hotels become stewards of local environmental health. They reduce waste, support regenerative design principles, and can engage with suppliers that share sustainability values.
Prosperity
Efficient use of resources, combined with reduced waste and simplified processes, creates long-term operational savings. At the same time, it enhances brand reputation and supports compliance with sustainability standards and customer expectations.
A practical step toward certification and continuous improvement
For hotels committed to responsible tourism and high sustainability standards, reviewing and updating cleaning practices is a meaningful step. Adopting third-party certified cleaning products supports Green Key criteria related to chemical use, staff health and safety, waste management, and environmental communication.
What circular cleaning looks like in practice
Certified, plant-based products like SURE™ exemplify the principles of circularity—using waste as a resource, minimizing harm, and enabling continuous improvement. They allow hotels to move beyond reducing impact and begin actively contributing to more sustainable outcomes.
