Nowadays, the importance of environmental health is becoming ever more apparent, and at BNBHOST we are big believers in everyone doing their own little bit to make positive changes.
As an Airbnb host, keeping your property eco-friendly should be a priority. Not only is it important for the environment, but it is increasingly becoming an attractive pull for guests!
Aside from the overall importance of environmental health, ethical tourism is on the rise. Travellers nowadays want to keep up their environment practices even whilst they are on holiday. Ensuring that your property is as ‘green’ as it can be, can be an additional unique selling point and could make it more appealing to eco-guests, subsequently helping to boost your bookings and revenue.
It’s World Environment Day on Wednesday 5th June, so why not make it a day to consider your property’s eco-stance? Help keep your property environmentally friendly by following some simple tips we’ve shared below.
Use eco-friendly products
Many household cleaning products contain harmful chemical ingredients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia, all of which are dangerous water contaminants. And up until the ban on using plastic microbeads last year, many cosmetic toiletries contained the tiny pieces of plastic that was found to be hazardous to the environment and wildlife.
Using natural products doesn’t just protect the environment, but it can benefits guests too. Harmful detergents could trigger allergic reactions, which is the last thing you want to happen, so be on the safe side and use natural products. It may be a little more expensive, but small changes like this give guests that 5 star experience they are looking for and can help be that small detail that encourages them to leave a glowing review.
Label recycling bins
Having a recycling and compost bin in your property is one of the simplest, yet most effective steps you could take to helping the environment.
But it’s easier said than done, as not everyone knows how to recycle correctly, especially if they’re coming from another country. Unfortunately, there will always be people who will carelessly toss an empty carboard cereal box in with plastics, not really knowing that it will just end up in landfill. As a host, help to make it as clear and easy as possible for guests to recycle without giving you extra work.
Generally, recyclables are split up in to:
- Paper, card and cardboard
- Glass, metal cans and tins, and plastic
- Food/garden waste
Recycling rules vary in each area, so it’s best to check with your local council if you’re unsure. You can label with pictures or icons to make the use of bins clearer to guests, to ensure that they are using them correctly.
Minimise use of plastic
Did you know that in the UK, an estimated 1.53 million tonnes of plastic waste was reported, according to the latest statistics.
Recently, there has been a huge crackdown on reducing the amount of plastic that is being used, with the UK government’s target of eliminating avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042. Airbnb hosts can help reduce the amount of plastic that is used in their property by offering guests reusable items, like bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags, and food containers.
At BNBHOST, we have recently introduced larger refillable shampoo/body wash and hand soap bottles for our managed properties to help reduce plastic waste. Not only are these much more environmentally friendly than plastic miniatures, they last much longer for guests too!
Use energy saving electricity
From leaving appliances on standby, to forgetting to turn lights off – it’s something we are all guilty of doing at some point. But using an unnecessary amount of energy as a society can be incredibly damaging to the environment, mainly because it increases carbon footprint.
Fortunately, new technology has been introduced to help reduce energy use, such as LED (Lighting Emitting Diode) lights. LED lights look like standard light bulbs but differ as they use at least 75% less energy and can last 25 times longer.
All Airbnb hosts should consider implementing energy saving electricity like LED lights into their property, as the amount of energy that is used in Airbnb properties may be much higher than the amount that is used in personal homes.
Upcycle
Upcycling is the term used to describe the process of transforming old or unwanted objects into something with a higher value or new use. It’s become a popular trend for people to paint their old furniture, making them look a lot more attractive than before, or transform wooden crates into shelves.
Aside from being a great way to save money, upcycling is also an effective way to help reduce the amount of waste that is dumped in landfills. Upcycled items can make quirky and unique home accessories that add that extra little bit of character to your property!
Do you need help making your property more eco-friendly? We are here to help!
Let us look after your Airbnb property and keep your guests happy while you enjoy more of your free time and earn some extra cash. 83% of our property owners have achieved Superhost status on Airbnb, and we can help set you on the path for Superhost too! We only charge a small percentage from each booking, so you have nothing to lose!
Get in touch with us today for an informal chat about how we can help.