Understanding Barriers to Sustainable Housekeeping Practices

a qualitative exploration of staff perspectives at a city hotel in Liverpool

Abstract

This research investigated the barriers to sustainable housekeeping practices at a city hotel in Liverpool, with a focus on the perspectives of housekeeping staff and management. Sustainability has become a critical concern in the hospitality industry, where hotels play a significant role in resource consumption and environmental impact. Despite corporate commitments to green initiatives, translating policies into daily operations often proves challenging. The study explored how housekeeping staff perceive sustainability within their roles, identify barriers to implementation, compare managerial and non-managerial perspectives, and gathered suggestions to improve the sustainable practices. A qualitative approach was used as the research method by employing semi-structured interviews with managerial and operational level staff, 7 in total. Data were manually analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed key barriers including time and workload pressures, insufficient training, inconsistent resources, guest non-compliance, and limited management oversight. However, staff expressed willingness to adopt sustainable practices if provided with greater support, clearer communication, and realistic working conditions. The research highlights the importance of bridging the gap between sustainability policies and operational realities. Practical recommendations include refresher training, improved resource provision, guest engagement strategies, and enhanced supervisory monitoring. These insights contribute to advancing sustainable housekeeping practices in the hospitality sector.