10 Sustainability Tips For An Eco-Friendly Vacation Rental

Between the rising sea levels and global weather inconsistencies, it’s no surprise that climate change is becoming a more urgent concern for communities around the world. To stay competitive in today’s landscape, businesses in every industry are facing growing pressures to support sustainability efforts.

For the travel industry, this shift has resulted in a growing desire for eco-travel among tourists. According to recent studies, 73% of travelers prefer to stay in eco-friendly accommodations. As a vacation rental owner, making simple changes to enhance the sustainability factor of your property can result in a significant boost in your bottom line.

Today, our vacation rental experts are revealing our top tips for an eco-friendly vacation rental to help you maximize your profits while making a positive difference. Stay tuned to find out everything you need to know about making your property more sustainable.

What Does It Mean To Be Eco-Friendly?

Cambridge Dictionary defines the term eco-friendly as being “designed to have little or no damaging effect on the environment.” While some people might think that you would need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve a sustainable property, there are plenty of affordable ways to get the job done. To make your holiday home more eco-friendly, all you need to do is incorporate sustainable aspects into its design.

10 Ways to Make Your Vacation Rental Eco-Friendly

Ready to make your holiday home a little more environmentally savvy? Here are 10 sustainability tips for an eco-friendly vacation rental:

Stock Up On Reusable Supplies

Instead of stocking your shelves with single-use plastics, utensils, cups, and plates, opt for their reusable counterparts. You can also consider swapping mini shampoos, soaps, and conditioners for large toiletry bottles that can be secured onto shelves and reused by several renters.

We also recommend stocking up on reusable shopping and grocery bags. Keep a stash of recycled or canvas bags in the kitchen and encourage guests to take them on their shopping endeavors. Extra bags are usually at the bottom of a guest’s packing totem pole. But if you have some available, they’re less likely to use plastic ones when they go out.

Install Energy-Efficient Fixtures, Windows, and Appliances

Another way to make your vacation rental eco-friendly is to install energy-efficient fixtures and appliances. You can do this fairly easily by switching to LED lightbulbs or installing an automated thermostat that adjusts the rental’s temperature when it is unoccupied by guests.

If you’re willing to go a step further, installing solar panels can significantly reduce your energy costs. While solar panels are costly upfront, they will pay off in the long run (think: a lifetime of renewable energy). If you aren’t quite ready to switch to solar, upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors is a less expensive option.

Provide (And Enforce) Recycling Protocols

Eco-friendly vacation rentals almost always provide a clear and easy-to-use means of recycling. You can set up your own by designating a separate bin for recycled products. Some owners even choose to include individual bins for glass, plastics, and paper products.

Another thing that’s not-so-great for the earth is food waste. However, you can easily minimize this by providing a composting bin or encouraging your guests to donate food leftovers to a local food bank or collection service.

Decorate with Real Plants

Not only do real plants elevate your property’s aesthetic appeal by incorporating an indoor-outdoor living element, but they also minimize your use of plastic. Additionally, plants keep the air clean by producing oxygen, absorbing toxins, and elevating humidity. Snake plants, philodendrons, and aglaonemas are great no-fuss interior plants that you can use to decorate your spaces.

Create an Organic Garden

If you’re looking to go green, why not create an organic garden and fill it with local fruits and vegetables? Your guests will enjoy the chance to observe some local flora and fauna, and you can even offer them the opportunity to partake in gardening if desired.

Note that you shouldn’t use non-native plants to fill your garden. Non-native plants require more fertilizer, rainwater, and effort than their local counterparts. Instead, choose plants that are already suited to your environment; they can revive natural wildlife and help maintain the soil.

Collect and Reuse Rainwater

If you live in an area with a particularly wet climate, collecting and reusing rainwater is a great way to conserve water. Consider investing in a rain barrel and use your collection to fill pools, water the garden (see above), or flush toilets.

Rainwater is a terrific replacement for anything requiring running water – just make sure you don’t use it for consumption purposes (like washing produce or brushing your teeth).

Promote Public Transit

Stock your vacation rental with ample information regarding the local area and public transportation options. Include the names and directions of nearby restaurants, any points of interest, and bus or bike stations. Then, encourage your guests to get around via walking or public transit. If you want to go the extra mile, you could provide bicycles for them to use during their stay.

Choose Sustainable Furniture and Decor

Instead of decorating your vacation rental with IKEA or Pottery Barn’s trendiest pieces, consider using secondhand or locally-sourced pieces. Shopping secondhand helps to keep perfectly good items out of landfills and is typically cheaper than shopping new.

Local furniture helps to reduce transport emissions and wood waste. Furniture made from bamboo, cork, reclaimed wood, or recycled glass is especially sustainable.

Encourage Your Guests to Conserve Water

Encourage your guests to reuse their towels and linens throughout their stay. Old toilets and appliances contribute to water waste, so make sure to update your fixtures as needed. Another simple way to conserve water is by installing low-flow shower heads in your bathrooms to reduce water waste without affecting water pressure.

Install Water Aerators on Your Faucets

Looking to add a green touch to your sinks and showers? Installing water aerators is a simple and affordable way to get the job done. By inserting air into the water stream, these small metal filters can tremendously reduce water usage and prevent splashing. Not only will your guests be able to wash their hands as normal, but less water will be used in the process. This lowers your water bill and supports the planet all at once.

List Your Eco-Friendly Vacation Rental Today

If you’re interested in cultivating an eco-friendly vacation rental, rest assured that it’s easier than you think. With these sustainability tips in mind, we’re confident that you’ll create an eco-friendly oasis that brings in new guests in no time.

Once your eco-friendly vacation rental is ready to go, CabinKey will keep your beds full all season long. As a leading property management software company, we have all the necessary rental booking tools to make running your vacation property easy.

Check out our services page to learn more about our double-book protection, flexible add-ons, affordable pricing plans, military-grade protection, and more. Ready to get started? Contact our team today.

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