How can we help guests reduce single-use plastic when they stay with us?

[Felicity11]

#PlasticFreeJuly: As a Host, I can help guests to further reduce plastic waste by providing reusable options they can use when staying with us.

Some items I like to add to my listing for guests to use include : 

• Reusable water bottles
• Reusable coffee cups
• Reusable shopping bags
• Reusable food storage containers
• Suggest markets and bulk food stores that use minimal packaging for guests to visit
• Offering reusable travel cards for guests to use when staying with me that can be left behind for the next guest to use. 
• Suggest venues/activities for guests to visit that are taking steps to reduce plastic waste or help drive local beach/forest clean-up events.   
  
  Reusable :water bottles, Shampoo bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags ,food storage containers Reusable travel cards

What steps do you take to help your guests reduce plastic waste when they stay with you?

[Although I am a Host Advisory Board member, these articles are written based on own my personal experiences and opinions as a sustainable Host]

[Marielle135]

It is always very inspiring to read your posts felicity! Actually made me realise that I have reusable containers available in my listings. Even though they are unfortunately made of plastic they can be used again and again.

regarding hand soap my bottles are refillable and made of glass or ceramic.

regarding shampoo and shower gel I am careful about the bottles and what they contain when buying them, preferably recycled bottles or at least recyclable, containing vegan products with low impact on environment. For a long time I had a bottle of common gel which was never being used, since I have changed products, people tend to use it more, which is really cool.

i supply reusable shopping bags also to go shopping and always point out the local weekly markets where local producers sell their own productions.

all the houses have recycling bins in France so that is definitely a plus.

i have also put little glass containers to collect plastics lids that are recycled separately to be given to associations who buy wheelchairs with the money they make recycling it.

our little ones also have their own dishes to avoid disposable dishes that parents use so that they don’t break anything while learning their eating skills.

I have been dreaming of supplying shampoo and soap in bars, they could be great welcome presents for the guests, but still looking for a soap producer to find an agreement with. Also when soap is fresh it is easy to stamp it with the name of our accommodation or why not belo… I will keep you updated. 
love the idea of picnic dishes reusable supply, and will look at the idea more precisely too, thanks for the idea!

it can be fun and simple to be sustainability concerned, thanks for all these eye openings articles.

ps: our water is drinkable but sometimes not tasing very nice, has anyone of you invested in a fountain purifying water? If so any to be advised?

[Jue0]

@Marielle135 Excellent! I feel you on the water. At our farm house listing, at the Mountain area, the water is pristine without city pollution and so clear as straight from the mountain. Nevertheless, it's salty, as it is borehole water.

So we bottle it in 20 litre Recyclable Bottles to allow it to settle. Others use water filters and dispensers.

Happy to learn on what you do! Merci. 😊. Jue

[Jue0]

@Felicity11 This is great! 

In addition, we are careful to remind our guests that Kenya banned plastic carrier bags in 2017 & moved to ban plastic bottles in all National Parks, Game Reserves & All Forests in 2020

As not all Visitors into the country use Aircrafts. An announcement is made in the aircraft before disembarking. There are those who come by road from the various border points. 

We are sure to leave khaki bags and recyclable packaging material in our listings as well as our beautiful traditional sisal and fibre baskets 'Ciondo'& 'Kikapu'.

On cleaning detergent, I use a Biodegradable detergent that is free from Toxins and is usable right across the listing, from the kitchen, hand wash,  utensils, to ceramic tiles, bathrooms, clothes, cars, exterior, windows and glass panes! I find it Super useful and it's so affordable. Packaged in 5-10 litres jerrycans, allowing for dispensing into the various recyclable bottles in the listing. 

Thank you as always Felicity and Jennifer for your proactivity and being great Sustainable Hosts. Kudos 

[Felicity11]

hi @Jue0 

Wonderful to hear what you do in your home to help guests reduce single use plastic.  It is great to hear about the cleaning products you are using to further reduce toxins entering our water systems and that it saves you money. I am sure your guests are very grateful.  It is so inspiring to hear your story. 

Thank you for your support. 

[Tatiya0]

This is great. Thanks for sharing!! I have so many Airbnb goodies bags in my house. I’ll start placing it in the guest rooms. Hope they don’t take it with them though. 😛