How do you incorporate sustainable practices into your hosting routine?

[Elisa]

 

Hi everyone, hope you’re having a great week! 😊

Sustainability is something we all think about, but how do you actually make it part of your hosting routine?

Maybe you’ve switched to eco-friendly products, found creative ways to save energy, or encouraged guests to be more mindful during their stay. Even the smallest changes can add up!

I’d love to hear what’s worked for you—any tips, big or small, that make hosting more sustainable?

Looking forward to your ideas,

Elisa 🌻

[Andrea6232]

Buongiorno @Elisa ,

in Venice (Italy), as in many other cities in the world, separate waste collection is done, but Venice has its own way of doing it: every morning the street cleaner rings the doorbell, you have to open it and give the garbage to the employee who thanks you and wishes you a good day 😊

The reason why you can't leave garbage outside the house is due to the seagulls, which live in large numbers in Venice and as soon as they see a garbage bag, even a closed one, they destroy it with their beak and scatter all the contents around 😱

Each city has its own method 😉

Andrea

[Elisa]

Buongiorno @Andrea6232 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing this comment here!

I didn’t know about this, it’s super interesting. Do they really ring at your door every day? What time?

Warm regards, 🌻

[Andrea6232]

Buongiorno @Elisa ,

yes! They ring the doorbell every day (except Sunday), time depends on the zone, in our Fondamenta they arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 am

Andrea

[Elisa]

Ciao @Andrea6232 😊, 

Thank you for letting me know!

Can you leave this outside for a few hours, or is it mandatory to deliver it to the street cleaner?

Warm regards, 🌻

[Andrea6232]

Buongiorno @Elisa ,

it is mandatory to deliver it to the street cleaner, otherwise you should keep it inside

Andrea

[Adrianna52]

Our Inn has 17 separate units. We ask guests to please help us in our effort of water conversation and waste management by reusing their towels during their stay if possible. We encourage guests, that stay for extended days, to request a change of sheets after their 4 night. We also try our best to limit single use plastic and have started offering more paper and recycled products.

[Elisa]

Hi @Adrianna52 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing your approach here!

17 units, that's a lot! 😍 Do you run a bed & breakfast?

Recycled products are interesting! Which ones are you using?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Anika191]

Hello @Elisa 

We have eliminated single-use toiletry plastics, and offer large, natural or organic refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and dish soap.  I was initially worried that these products might walk off, but so far, so good.  The company sells their refills via pouch, and once the pouches are empty, you mail them back for refills.  So far I'm delighted with it, and the guests have been too.

We also provide dish towels and dishcloths instead of sponges.  Anytime I find sponges in the unit I take them out.  😊

We have a dishwasher but also outfitted the space with a dish-drying rack for guests who prefer to use it.

We provide coffee beans and several coffee-making options instead of a Keurig machine.  I also provide a canister of sugar instead of packets.  

Unfortunately, our condo has electric baseboard heat and guests turn up the heat to unthinkable temps and leave - 80 degrees F in winter with the window open!  On the list of future improvements is a smart thermostat.

Love the question!  It never hurts to lead by example!

[Elisa]

Hi @Anika191 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely comment here, I really appreciate it!

How did you come up with all these wonderful ideas? 😍

Warm regards, 🌻

[Ana36754]

We have a property in Panama close to the beach. We were told when building if we were going to have a pool, then we needed to have our own well, so we did build the well, by building it we are not using the city water that the locals need. We also have solar lights outside for the pool area and garden.

[Elisa]

Hi @Ana36754 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing this here!

I really admire your approach. I'm curious, which water are you using for the pool?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Monica3058]

We limit the number of vehicles to two. We get multiple requests through the year to accommodate more. It’s a ‘No."