Travelers who opt for vacation homes over hotels may need to invest more time in finding sustainable lodging options, but in the end, they will have more control over their environmental impact. Here are steps that short-term renters can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
Search for sustainable rentals
The nonprofit organization Sustonica certifies short-term rentals based on sustainability criteria such as water conservation and waste reduction. While it doesn’t function as a search engine, travelers can identify its logo on certified listings on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
Airbnb offers rental categories that help travelers find eco-friendly options, showcasing over 9,000 listings powered by renewable energy sources or completely off the grid, as well as Earth Homes made from natural materials like mud or rammed earth.
Booking.com, known for listing vacation homes and hotels, allows travelers to filter listings with sustainability certifications from more than 65 organizations that conduct third-party assessments on practices such as renewable energy usage and recycling.
According to the company, more than 16,500 properties, including hotels and rentals, hold separate third-party sustainability certifications.
Vrbo, a vacation home rental platform, lacks an eco-friendly search filter due to the absence of industry consensus on sustainable rental criteria. However, properties listed by its sister company Expedia may indicate being “eco-certified” with a filtering option. Review listings carefully for information on sustainability features.
When searching, scrutinize the listings, advises Bob Garner, founder of EnviroRental, a service that assists short-term rental owners in implementing sustainability practices. Look for signs of sustainability like shared shampoo dispensers in bathroom photos or mentions of recycling in the property description. If the host has a website, check for press mentions or blog posts related to sustainability.
Talk to the host
Airbnb reports that over 80% of its hosts implement at least one sustainable feature like composting, reducing single-use plastics, or providing guidance on using public transport. The platform offers a guide to hosts on sustainable tourism practices, with tips on creating manuals that direct travelers to local businesses.
According to Mr. Garner, asking questions is key when considering a property. If the host cannot provide satisfactory answers, it may raise a red flag.
Even asking about eco-friendly features can make a lasting impact.
Diane Daniel, founder of Vacation Donations, a nonprofit promoting leftover food donations in Tampa, highlights the importance of raising environmental awareness during travel.
Choose a pedestrian- or public-transit-friendly location
Selecting a location conducive to walking or using public transport, even if not solar-powered, can minimize emissions during your stay.
Beth Santos, CEO of Wanderful and author, encourages travelers to live like locals by taking public transport, exploring neighborhoods beyond city centers, and supporting local businesses. She suggests a “day zero” to familiarize yourself with the area’s amenities and transportation options.
Save energy
Practice energy conservation by adjusting air conditioning, turning off lights, and limiting water use in your rental unit.
Maintaining vigilance during your stay can help control your environmental impact, even if it’s tempting to disregard energy-saving practices while on vacation.
Plan meals and reduce waste
Renters have the option to cook meals, so plan accordingly to minimize food waste. Bring essential cooking supplies and ask the host about available kitchen amenities to avoid excess purchases.
Consider packing a collapsible food container for leftovers, as suggested by Beth Santos, to reduce waste and have a way to store and reheat additional meals.
Donate surplus food
Before leaving, take any remaining food with you or consider donating it to local food pantries to prevent waste.
Consult local resources for food donation options as perishable items can be challenging to manage at the end of your stay. If necessary, reach out to neighbors or local groups for assistance.
Consider ‘community offsets’
Instead of traditional carbon offset programs, explore opportunities to contribute to local causes or volunteer during your rental period to offset your environmental impact.