Welcome to 2026! A new year brings new opportunities, including the chance to adopt a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle. Topics such as the circular economy, plant-based nutrition, energy efficiency, zero waste and slow travel are becoming increasingly important. True sustainability is no longer about sacrifice; it’s about joie de vivre, quality and mindfulness.

At Green Pearls®, we believe that change starts with the many small, everyday decisions that are easy to implement. Our partner hotels and companies show how sustainability can seamlessly combine with design, comfort, and innovation.

9 green resolutions to inspire you to live more consciously in 2026

 #1 Less is more – consume more consciously

2026 is all about quality over quantity. It’s about choosing things that are built to last, good for you, and manufactured with purpose.

Our partners such as the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA in Sicily, which focuses on regional materials, solar energy and traditional craftsmanship, demonstrate this approach in practice. The same is true at The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm in Nepal. Here the mindful use of resources is part of everyday life, from in-house agriculture to supporting local communities.

The Austrian company Rabmer demonstrates that sustainability extends beyond the product itself. Through its innovative water and energy solutions, it enables hotels to save energy without compromising on comfort.

PHARMOS Natur, which joined the Green Pearls® family in December, reminds us that true luxury lies in combining nature and mindfulness, creating cosmetics from whole plants produced in harmony with the environment.

#2 Secondhand & ReUse instead of buying new 

Fewer new items, more conscious living — this idea is shared by many Green Pearls® partners.

At the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, old materials are transformed into new favorites: recycled wood becomes furniture and historic fabrics become modern textiles. The Hotel Luise in Erlangen demonstrates this concept with its innovative “regenerative hotel” design, which incorporates recycling and upcycling into every detail, from the furnishings to the energy supply.

SWISSFEEL embodies this idea with its fully washable, durable mattresses. These mattresses create a genuine circular system in hotel operations. They aren’t single-use items; they’re high-quality products designed to last for years and to be reused and recycled at the end of their life.

This mindset extends naturally to everyday life: repair, share, or reuse what you own—and actively contribute to a more sustainable economy.

#3 Repair. Don’t throw it away

Repairing things gives them a second chance — and that’s exactly what hotels are doing.

At the Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu region, for example, appliances, furniture, and equipment are refurbished instead of replaced.

The Hotel Luise also prioritizes the preservation of existing materials, demonstrating that sustainability does not always require new construction.

#4 Avoid plastic — choose refillable over disposable

Using less plastic means more freedom — for us and for nature. Many Green Pearls® hotels have already made this change.

At the Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol and the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, the hotels refill toiletries, serve water in glass bottles, and offer refill stations throughout the property for guests.

The OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel Tenerife takes it a step further with in-house filter systems and glass carafes that provide completely plastic-free drinking water — healthy, regional, and resource-saving.

Companies like Medeco Cleantec help achieve cleanliness without chemicals or plastic, using innovative water-based cleaning systems.

The Green City Hotel Vauban in Freiburg proves that it is possible to run a hotel entirely free from disposable packaging.

 #5 Valuing food

Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures—and far too valuable to waste. At Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony, chefs create inventive dishes using regional ingredients, including products that would otherwise be discarded. STURM in the Rhön region sources its fruit and vegetables from its own garden, ensuring they are seasonal, fresh and unpackaged.

At the ADLER Lodge RITTEN in South Tyrol, the kitchen follows the “from root to leaf” principle, using every ingredient in its entirety.

And the Hotel Korinjak on the Croatian island of Iž demonstrates how local produce and plant-based cuisine can work together to create healthy, colourful and sustainable dishes.

#6 Enjoy more plant-based options

Plant-based nutrition is no longer just a passing fad; it’s a lifestyle choice. It conserves resources, inspires new flavours and promotes mindful consumption.

The Hotel LA VIMEA in South Tyrol — Italy’s first purely vegan hotel — leads the way. Here, sustainability is an experience, from the kitchen to the spa. The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel on the Seiser Alm shows how vegan gourmet cuisine and modern alpine design can blend seamlessly. At the ADLER Lodge RITTEN, chefs use regional ingredients to prepare fresh vegetarian and vegan menus every day.

PHARMOS Natur continues this concept of plant-based sustainability with skincare products based on pure plant power that promote inner and outer balance.

#7 Shop regionally & seasonally

Regionality is one of the simplest and most effective forms of climate protection. Short distances, fresh products, and local partnerships are a matter of course in many Green Pearls® establishments.

At OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol, nearly all of the food comes directly from the surrounding farms.

Companies like memo also embrace regionality and resource conservation. They are offering eco-friendly, fairly produced products and transparent supply chains that demonstrate sustainability can begin in the office.

#8 Travel consciously

Sustainable travel means exploring with respect for people, places, and nature. Rather than rushing to check off lots of places, it’s about staying longer and experiencing things more intensely.

The Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives embodies barefoot luxury and active coral protection, while the Bella Vista Zermatt in Switzerland, with its car-free location and access to its own mountain spring water, exemplifies slow travel. The ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA demonstrates that regenerative relaxation and sustainability go hand in hand.

Sustainability is not a goal, but a process—a combination of curiosity, openness, and exchange.

Our Green Pearls® corporate partners—Ecowaterjet by rabmer®, Medeco Cleantec, SWISSFEEL, memo, Segmüller Werkstätten, and PHARMOS Natur—showcase the synergy of innovation, quality, and responsibility: from efficient water and energy use to chemical-free cleaning, fair production, and plant-based care.

Conclusion: Small steps, big impact

Every green resolution counts—whether it’s living plastic-free, eating plant-based, shopping locally, or traveling consciously.

Our Green Pearls® partners prove that sustainability means enrichment for us, others, and our planet, not sacrifice.

Make 2026 your year of conscious decisions with small steps that make a big difference. Tell us about your resolutions—we’d love to hear from you!

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