Environmental Sustainability in the Vacation Rental Industry | Part 2

September 18. 2019

PART 2: What to do Differently in Your Units to Improve Sustainability

While each of us needs to do our part, as a vacation rental property manager you’re in the unique position of being able to convert multiple units to a more sustainable approach, leveraging the results of your efforts! While many practices can be implemented with little or no cost, some like automating your units’ climate and lighting control can have a significant upfront cost, but the savings you realize over time will more than pay for the upgrades.
Let’s look at various areas of your business where you can make changes to improve your business’ environmental sustainability.

In the Kitchen…

Small changes like using natural or environmentally friendly products can make a big difference. Here are some ideas for the kitchen.

  • Use environmentally friendly cleaning products like dish soap, floor, and window cleaners.
  • Discourage the use of paper plates and plasticware by making sure the cabinets are well stocked with plates and silverware.
  • Stock the kitchen with quality cookware and utensils – avoid Teflon or ceramic coated pots and pans and stick to stainless steel and cast iron when possible.
  • Stock the kitchen with long-lasting cloth towels and get rid of the paper.
  • Ask guests to use the dishwasher and only to run it when it is full to reduce water use.
  • Discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles. Provide guests with “take-away” cups for bringing beverages to the beach. There are many cups available that include a water filter and can be refilled, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles.
  • If it’s time to upgrade appliances, choose energy-efficient models. New dishwashers use considerably less water, for example.
  • Set-up recycling bins and encourage your guests to use them!
  • If you provide complimentary coffee – look for Fair Trade brands. These are brands that are farmed in a sustainable manner that is more environmentally friendly.

These are just a few ideas you can implement that will help improve your units’ sustainability over time.

In the Bathroom…

The bathroom is another room in which small changes can make a big difference. The bathroom is a place that is a hotspot for excess water use, excessive paper waste, and where toxic cleaning products congregate. Here are some ideas for “greenovating” your bathrooms!

  • Install a low-flow toilet. If you’re updating units, toilets use approximately 27% of the water used in a typical unit! That’s more than any other appliances. If you’re not ready to upgrade, installing a dual-flusher can reduce water use significantly. One button uses .8 gallons to flush liquid waste, a second uses 1.6 gallons to remove solid waste. You can buy a converter (the BlueSource HydroRight Converter) for a little over $20!
  • Install a low-flow showerhead. Low-flow showerheads conserve in two ways – you’ll use less water when showering, and less energy to heat the water. This is an inexpensive upgrade that can save you hundreds of dollars (per unit!) every year.
  • Change over to LED lightbulbs. This is a great way to not only save on energy but reduce the need for replacement bulbs. LED bulbs use 80% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Today, you have many options when it comes to the brightness and color of the light generated as well!
  • Buy Eco-friendly, sustainable bathroom products. From bath towels to toilet paper to hand soap, environmentally friendly products are available. These types of products can lower your environmental footprint, and more importantly, are safe and healthy for your guests. Plus, these types of products often use natural or organic ingredients sourced for organic and fair trade organizations and farms meaning you’re also supporting ethical business practices.

These simple changes can lower your utility bills, improve the safety and health of your guests, and help support businesses dedicated to environmental sustainability!

Home Automation…

Equipping your units with home automation features comes with a somewhat significant upfront cost, however, the benefits can be tremendous! Home automation systems are available that will integrate with your existing property management software systems and provide you with control over features like heating and cooling, lighting, leak detection, automatic locks, cameras and more.

For example, automating HVAC means that you can better regulate the temperature in your units. Turning off or lowering the air conditioning or heat when units are vacant can provide significant savings through lower energy use. Leak detection can prevent major damage if for example a pipe bursts. This type of device will alert you so you can minimize the water wasted, and the damage to your property.

Many home automation systems are accessible via your laptop, tablet or smartphone so you can be aware of the situation at your units 24/7/365. This type of upgrade can save you significant money, as well as lower energy use!

In the Office…

Sustainability is about more than simple outfitting your units, it carries over into your day-to-day office operations as well. One of the pillars of the practice is reducing waste. By taking your operation digital you can significantly reduce paper and consumables use. While vacation rental property management still relies on paper for some processes, digitizing guest contact, adding technology like ALEXA to your units, and recycling in the office can significantly reduce your environmental impact.

Here are some ideas for “greening” your office and front of the house.

  • Create a “Green Initiative.” Create fun monthly green challenges that combine competition with going green. For example, challenge your office to go for a month with no plastic eating utensils and reward those who stick with it with a nice lunch, or gift cards.
  • Turn off all electronics, heating, and lighting every night.
  • Buy sustainable office products like recycled copy paper, and natural cleaning products.
  • If your office is located in a deregulated electricity state, shop for your electricity and opt for a company that uses green power sources like wind or solar.
  • Turn up the thermostat! Adjusting your air conditioning from 68 to 72 degrees will reduce your energy use, and save you hundreds of dollars every year!
  • Take your office paperless. Paper documents contribute to as much as 90% of office waste. Going digital will significantly cut your business’ waste output, add in-office recycling bins to reduce it even more!

Recycle Books, Beach Toys, Games, and Movies

Finally, encourage guest participation. Have a system in place where guests can leave behind/reuse books, beach toys, games or movies. New products use energy to create and often have excess packaging that ends up choking landfills. By putting in a “borrow a book, leave a book” plan, or providing guests with beach toys as part of the rental unit, you’ll reduce their need to purchase new items when they visit.
Remember, environmental sustainability is all about reducing waste, reusing items and recycling! Vacation homes are constantly being “reused” every time you have a new guest. By keeping them well maintained and stocked with “green” products, you can lower your environmental footprint, as well as educate your guests on the sustainable possibilities available to them after their stay is over!

Stay tuned to the Xplorie Insider as next week we’ll tell you how to market your environmentally friendly vacation rental units to potential and repeat guests.