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 🌻

[Elisa]

Hi @Laurelle3, @Jennifer3225 and @Felicity11 😊, 

I hope you are doing well!

We know you love sustainable approach when hosting and you've shared many helpful posts related to such initiatives in the Community Center. Hence I wanted to invite you to this discussion if you have any tips that make hosting more sustainable at your property. Your ideas will be helpful to the new hosts reading this thread.

What do you think about sustainability in your listing approach?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Warm regards 🌻,

[Daphna11]

Hi everyone 

I didn't do much... except explaining the town rules regarding the garbage collection rules. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Daphna11 😊,

Thank you so much for sharing this here!

What are the town's rules? It would be interesting to explore more.

Warm regards 🌻,

[Christina1706]

I have properties in Southwest Michigan near Lake Michigan. 

we provide every guest with a logo’d reusable bag that they can use for groceries, the beach, and take home to keep using. There is a welcome message in the bag  that encourages limiting use of single use plastic bags, water bottles at the beach and during their stay. We also encourage them to take out what they take in from the beach and consider picking up any trash they see left behind from others. Plastic bottle caps left in the sand is prevalent here unfortunately. 

we have motion sensors  for outside lights, smart interior lighting that I can control from afar, smart thermostat and wi-fi enabled hot tub temperature and WiFi lawn watering control to follow local watering guidelines. 

we also use bamboo toilet paper and bulk refills on toiletries that come in pouches, similar to the other host. 

the last two tips 

1. we use the reusable dish towels that I saw in Sweden and IKEA (and let the guest know they can take it home to reuse!) we pick a seasonal design. We provide brushes for “scrubbing” vs sponges with the green side.  

2. I have “ directions” to guide guests for recycling. Many aren’t clear on what/ what isn’t recycling. Laminated signs are put on the lid of a two part indoor trashcan/ recycle  combo. And guidance on the outdoor refuse and recycling containers. 

there’s always more to do in the way of sustainability and it takes all of us to start a movement! Thanks- 

[Elisa]

Hi @Christina1706 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing ideas!

Bamboo toilet paper is an amazing solution, but is it more expensive?

Did this make you increase your listing price?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Deb23]

Elisa and Community, 

I own and self manage a small beach home that has been in our family for over two decades.  

I installed a level 2 solar charger for electric cars to recharge my own car when I'm there for maintenance and repairs and for guests to use.  

Adding a solar panel system is on my wish list for the future. 

I am in the process of adding rain barrels to collect water and use the filtered water to top off the hot tub and for plants and landscaping.  

Guests are asked to leave their cans, plastic, and wine bottles and I recycle them and donate the proceeds to my favorite charity TeishasPlace.com. My daughter Teisha left me her beach house when she died of leukemia and her home in Portland is used as a free guest house for patients recovering from stem cell transplants.  

Thanks for asking for us to share our thoughts.  It is very interesting to read the other responses to get more ideas of how we can make our guest homes more sustainable.  

Deb

Manzanita, Oregon, USA

[Elisa]

Hi @Deb23 😊, 

That's a great one, I’ve never heard of this approach!

Do your guests use the solar charger for electric cars, or do they still have regular cars? Is there any feedback that really made you improve an aspect of your property?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Cynthia-Lu0]

Sustainability is integrated into life♻️ our choices are reflected in our daily practice. The newest Airbnb listing is a LEED Certified Home with radiant concrete floors on the 1st level + the primary bathroom floor, Ductless Heat Pumps placed in the living room & bedroom ceilings supplying both air conditioning & heat with Nest thermostats for each room & tankless water heater. 🌱 Green energy is our choice with our power company. Solar panels are on our list for the future. All appliances are energy certified. The home is well appointed with eco friendly products. The laminated recycling ♻️ picture guidelines are provided in several locations for reference & posted above the city bins which are clearly labeled & accessible in the carport. We hire a family high school student to manage taking out & returning the bins weekly. Plastic bags are reused. Cloth shopping bags are stationed at both doors for taking as you go out. We do our own exterior lawn & garden maintenance with electric tools. We love our Planet Earth 🌏 & our Airbnb Guests ‼️

[Elisa]

Hi @Cynthia-Lu0 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing ideas!

How did you get your LEED Certified Home? Would you like to share more details on that? Do you think your guests pay enough attention to sustainability at your property?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Carolyn1003]

I am delighted to see this topic pop up for sharing and discussion!

Yes- I try to incorporate eco friendly themes in my Airbnb.

I try to find  and use products that reflect thoughtful practices.

There are bins in the cabins for recycling and signage about water use and products.

I take trash out daily and sometimes have to sort it.

So I give guests a chance to participate or perhaps learn.

Thank you for asking

Carolyn

Wyoming

[Elisa]

Hi @Carolyn1003 😊, 

Thank you so much for participating in this discussion!

What do you write on your signage?

Do you have a picture of them? It would be amazing for other hosts to see them as well.

Warm regards 🌻,

[Cynthia24]

I have been thinking of trash sorting. We do use refill products like Method to save and reuse plastics.

I will take a harder look at this for immediate reference. Venice WOW! Knock on the door to take your trash! LOL

Thank You!

[Elisa]

Hi @Cynthia24 😊, 

Thank you for your comment!

Indeed, I was surprised as well about Venice, that's amazing! 😍

Would you appreciate using this technique to take out the trash daily?

Warm regards 🌻,