With easy access to Perth airport and the vibrant CBD, Aloft Perth welcomes a steady mix of business and leisure travellers, from solo guests to families and large groups. The 220-plus room hotel is Green Star Australia Certified, and sustainability remains a priority.

Looking to address the large volume of plastic waste from in-room bottled water, Aloft Perth partnered with Civiq. The hotel had Elkay Liv Pro in-wall bottle filling stations installed on each guest floor.

Supporting Sustainability and ESG goals

Rhiannon Osborne Marketing & Communications Manager, Aloft Perth, said the key focus was sustainability. “The Elkay Liv Pro offered the quality, reliability, and environmental benefits we were looking for, particularly the ability to significantly reduce single-use plastic bottles and landfill waste. The units also came highly recommended by another Marriott International property, which gave us added confidence in the product.

“We wanted to introduce a more sustainable solution to replace bottled water, that didn’t compromise guest experience or quality,” Rhiannon said. “The Elkay units stood out for their durability, ease of use, hygienic design, and their ability to provide guests with filtered, great-tasting water on demand.”

Bradly, Business Development Director at Civiq, said hydration is one of the quickest ways for hotels to make progress on ESG goals.

“By swapping single-use bottles for refill stations, hotels remove a steady stream of plastic from rooms, bars and event spaces. Many see a 15 to 30 percent drop in plastic waste just by changing how they provide drinking water. Unlike other sustainability actions that can take months or years, hydration stations deliver visible waste reduction within weeks. This helps hotels make fast progress while planning bigger changes.

“Providing refill stations also means you avoid the freight, storage and waste handling that come with bottled water,” Bradly said. “Hotels can save several staff hours each week by reducing the time spent restocking rooms and dealing with plastic waste.

“Lower purchasing and less waste collection can cut bottled water costs by 20 to 40 per cent each year, depending on the hotel. This also lowers transport emissions and reduces landfill or recycling.”

Stand-Out Features and Benefits

Elkay Liv Pro units help hotels in three key ways. First, the systems fit neatly into the wall with a clean glass front. The units blend into modern corridors and public spaces instead of looking like back-of-house equipment.

Second, they use sensors and built-in filters. Guests simply place their bottle in the fill area and the water starts automatically, usually within a second. “The whole process takes less than 10 seconds, with no buttons or extra steps. This makes refilling fast, simple and hygienic,” Bradly said.

Third, the Green Ticker on the front shows a live count of plastic bottles saved with every refill. “This gives the hotel an easy way to show impact to guests, owners and brand teams. The data can also be used in ESG reporting, making it simple to track and share progress on sustainability goals,” Bradly said.

Providing Form and Function

Balancing aesthetics, durability, and practicality is important for hotel operators. Aloft Perth is a 4.5-star hotel, and high-end finishes must be maintained throughout the property. Civiq’s hotel hydration stations are built for constant use in public spaces, and designed to blend seamlessly with hotel surroundings.

“The slimline design and clean finish help the stations fit in with hotel joinery, lighting and artwork, so they support the interior instead of standing out,” Bradly said. “The in-wall design keeps the footprint small and protects the unit. The front panel and bottle area are smooth and easy to wipe, so housekeeping can clean them during regular rounds.”

Beyond regular wipe-down, minimal ongoing maintenance is required, and can be done during regular housekeeping. Filters usually need changing every six to twelve months, depending on use.

Clear lights on the units show the filter status so staff can stay ahead of filter replacement needs.

Minimum Disruption, Maximum Benefit

For the team at Aloft, installation of the units occurred with minimal disruption to guests, with all noisy work scheduled during business hours to minimise impact and inconvenience. Units are set into existing walls, and usually finished within a day.

Rhiannon said: “We selected placements that were convenient for guests while also providing suitable access to existing water supply and drainage. This ensured both practicality and minimal structural impact.”

Accessibility and ease of use were also key considerations when installing the Liv Pro units. “We worked closely with Civiq to position the stations in locations that were convenient for guests, including those with accessibility needs,” Rhiannon said.

Effective, Measurable Results

Both staff and guests have responded positively to the new hydration stations. “Guests appreciate the convenience, and we’ve seen a significant environmental benefit, and estimated reduction of around 150,000 plastic bottles per year from going into landfill,” Rhiannon said. “It has also improved staff efficiency, as there is no longer a need to restock in-room bottled water.”

Evaluating the effectiveness of the Elkay Liv Pro units, Rhiannon said the measurable drop in single-use plastic bottles going to landfill supports Aloft Perth’s commitment to sustainability and lowering its environmental footprint. “While this project represents just one element of our broader sustainability approach, it plays an important role in helping Aloft Perth deliver responsible, guest-centric solutions that align with Marriott’s global sustainability framework.”

The tangible, real-world impact of Civiq water stations help guests see that the hotel is serious about sustainability, Bradly said. “People can see and use the change for themselves. Features like bottle counters give a simple estimate of bottles saved, which can be used in ESG reporting and help clients see the impact.

“You get less plastic, lower ongoing costs and a clear action that supports your sustainability and ESG goals.”