5 Useful Tips on How to Become an Eco-friendly Airbnb Host

Eco-conscious tourism is on the rise, and many visitors prefer to choose environmentally friendly vacation rentals. Eco-friendly travelers have swapped plastic bags with reusable shopping bags and started using public transport and bikes instead of cars. Both guests and the Airbnb community have realized that reducing their carbon footprint is very important, especially in the vacation rental industry, where items are frequently replaced and thrown away. With so many different guests switching places all year round, the amount of waste produced at a single Airbnb property is just jaw-dropping. 

The worst thing about it is that many hosts fail to recognize this issue and won’t do anything about it because they think that incorporating environmentally conscious habits and purchasing eco-friendly products is expensive. Luckily, that is a common misconception. Plus, by going green, you’re almost guaranteed to save money in the long run. Below we’ll explore cost-effective tips and tricks on how to become the ultimate eco-friendly Airbnb host:

1. Invest in Reusable and Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Since most Airbnb hosts have to welcome dozens of visitors every month, toiletries and similar items get replaced frequently. If you were to collect all that waste, it would amount to a bathtub full of empty shampoo bottles, shower gels, and soapboxes. Plastic is extremely harmful to the environment, so every effort to reduce plastic waste is important. Consider investing in soap and shampoo dispensers. Not only are those much better for the environment, but they can also be filled up regularly. Buying liquid soap and similar items in bulk are much cheaper than buying singles every time. That way, you’re saving the environment while saving money, and your guests will love the effort. It’s a win-win. Also, buy products from natural textiles and consider using organic ingredients if you offer breakfast services for your guests. 

2. Invest in Renewable Energy Resources

If you’d like to become a true eco-friendly Airbnb host, then you should consider investing in renewable energy resources. Installing solar panels is great for energy saving and cutting costs. Moreover, many companies have come up with energy-efficient tools and appliances that were designed to help the environment. Although these solutions are a bit expensive when making a purchase, the cost-effectiveness will be noticed in a couple of months through lower expenses. 

Then, you can use the money you saved up to make even more cool investments into your vacation rental property. Plus, if you market your home as being eco-friendly, you’ll likely get even more bookings because you’re opening yourself to a whole new category of customers, which will maximize your profits. Every conscious traveler will love your property even more!

3. Replace Regular Bulbs with LED Lights

Replacing regular light bulbs with LED lights is something that every eco-friendly Airbnb hosting guide  should consider. Regular lights have to be replaced frequently. Not only does that produce a lot of waste, but it’s also an unnecessary expense when there are far better alternatives out there. LED light bulbs are very cheap, only a dollar per piece, and they can last up to ten years, unlike regular bulbs that go out in a month or two. 

4. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Services and Products

Efforts to be as environmentally friendly as possible are getting bigger by the day. As a result, many companies are creating cleaning products that are safe for the environment and still yield the same, high-quality cleaning results. The difference in price isn’t huge, so this can be a great investment. In addition to that, most of these eco-friendly products are better than regular products for people with allergies or sensitive skin. Your guests will thank you!

On the other hand, if you’re not into cleaning that much and prefer hiring professionals to take care of it, then opt for green cleaning companies. Nowadays, there is a wide selection to choose from, and most of them offer their services at very reasonable prices. 

5. Install Recycling Bins

If you’re really invested in your journey to become the best eco-friendly Airbnb host, then installing recycling and composting bins is a must. Guests are notorious for mixing trash and filling up bins with a lot of waste. Sometimes it’s because they’re ill-informed, lazy, or just don’t have access to proper recycling tools. To make things easier for everyone, purchase sorted recycle bins and let your guests know that they should sort their trash in dedicated bins. That way, you will avoid the need for separating the trash yourself, and you’ll be helping the environment.

Being an eco-friendly Airbnb host is not difficult nor expensive. Don’t be scared to try it, because it is likely going to yield amazing results. Also, don’t rush things. If you don’t have the time or the funds to do all the things listed above at once, just take small steps. Eventually, you will reap all the benefits of going green, and you’ll attract a lot more customers. Plus, you’ll save a lot of money in the long run. Promoting healthy decisions is impactful and it helps the world be a better place. Every effort counts and, just as it’s important to take care of your own well-being, it’s important to think about the environment as well.