environmental issues

[Kate859]

I am wondering what Airbnb is doing in terms of encouraging behaviour change that supports both hosts an travellers to think carefully about the environmental impact of travel. This seems very important. 

For example - I am thinking of things that would discourage people to travel by planes and cars, and as a host Id like to offer discounts for guests arriving by train/or bike.

Another example is moving towards all cleaning products / shower gel / shampoo being eco and provided in refillable bottles.

Id love to hear of other peoples ideas - I imagine there are initiatives underway due to increasing concern about climate change and how it links to inequality. I am also aware of the contradictions that need to be worked with. 

[Greg122]

@Kate859 ,

I totally agree. When I brought this issue up with Air BnB on the phone I was directed to this facility as a solution. I see plenty of these remarks but they don't seem to lead anywhere. What can be done to address this serious deficiency in the Air BnB system? 

[Ilene117]

Relatedly, I would like guests to be able to select their Airbnb by other Earth-friendly practices, such as using cloth instead of paper towels and napkins, composting food waste, avoiding artificial fragrances where possible, airdrying laundry outside, opening and closing windows and curtains to modify indoor heat rather than using air-conditioning, etc etc etc.

I am appalled by the amount of trash  some guests produce, as well as their seeming obliviousness to leaving  your windows wide open on a super hot day, or taking 30 minute showers.  We got a drought, folks!

Ilene

[Greg122]

After conversations around sustainability with people on the ABB helpline, I was directed to use the Air BnB "Give Feedback" space (often found at the bottom of your Air BnB host home page). I wanted to communicate to them that they need to build a facility into the platform to enable guests to find hosts that are operating their accommodation in a sustainable way. My message to them is below.  I have also put a request out on some Facebook pages for people to do the same, both hosts and guests. If we can get as many people as we can to give feedback to Air BnB on this issue I think we can get some movement.

This was my message to Air BnB via the "Give Feedback" facility;

My listing on Air BnB is set up and managed so as to have a minimal impact on the environment. I have solar power, composting, EV charging, clotheslines (not clothes dryers), recycled paper products, ceiling fans, eco cleaning products, greywater system, recycling bins etc, etc.  I am requesting that Air BnB create a search filter on their platform that allows guests to search specifically for accommodation that provides these type of amenities. I imagine that it would operate in a similar way to your "Traveling for Work" filter where hosts would indicate on their listing if they had certain facilities eg. solar panels, EV charging, recycling, composting. Guests who have completed a stay could verify if the facilities were as stated by the host.

This should be pretty simple to execute but the potential to minimise our impact on the planet is huge. I envisage a whole ancillary industry of consultants providing advice to hosts wishing to achieve the eco-status. I have floated this idea on various social media platforms and been met with a lot of support, as well as an indication that many people have chosen to stop using Airbnb because they are not engaging with the climate crisis. They have also recommended other platforms that have made accommodations to our current environmental challenges. Airbnb is have a chance to take a leadership role in this.

I have been told that as a rule Air BnB do not reply to messages left in Feedback but on this occasion, I would love to hear back from you. I am willing and able to provide further assistance on this issue if required.

Please, let's do this!

Greg Steel

Can we work together on this?

[Greg122]

I have also sent the below message to all the Air BnB On Line Community Managers. Please consider sending them a direct message - they are Stephanie, Quincy, Liv and Nick. To direct message them go to the Air BnB community Centre, log in, go to your profile drop-down menu, select "messages", click on the red pen and paper icon and put one or preferably all, the Community managers in the "Send to " box.

This was my message;

Hi Stephanie,

I am a Super Host in Brisbane, Australia. Over the years we have put in a significant investment in both time and money to reduce the ecological footprint of our Air BnB and also our own home. I am very keen to see Air BnB assist in matching up hosts and potential guests who want to minimise their environmental impact. I envisage this as being a relatively simple exercise of setting up an option when a guest searches for accommodation they tick a "Green Host" box they are directed to hosts that match that criteria. As an example of the types of facilities the "Green Host" might provide, I suggest;

# Solar power

#Compost bins #Recycling

#Supplying paper products made from recycled paper. eg toilet paper and paper towels #Environmentally friendly cleaning products/low allergy

#Energy saving lighting #Grey water systems #Water saving devices

#Access to push bikes

#Cloths lines rather than dryers

#Purchasing carbon offsets for power used

#Ensuring food left by guests is put to use rather than being thrown out.

Air BnB is in a powerful position to have a positive environmental impact. I'm also confident there are many hosts already working on these issues and guests wanting to minimise their environmental impact. This is demonstrated to me by the many guests that have thanked me for my efforts in this area. The other benefit of adopting a "Green Host" search criteria would be that guests and hosts can educate one another on possible improvements/innovations and techniques. There is rising concern in the community over our environmental impacts, and the social justice activities is driving consumer decision-making even more today than ever before. AirBnB must be aware of this trend, and be undertaking a range of activities to meet their corporate responsibilities to the community. Can you please advise me if Air BnB has something currently in process to achieve this aim or if not can you please let me know the best way of achieving this outcome?

Many thanks in advance,

Regards,

Greg Steel.