Sometimes we simply don’t realise the excessive use of plastics we make, especially in a tourist apartment, where guest turnover is fast. If you are aware of this excessive plastic usage and want to make a change to make your tourist apartment more sustainable, here are some ideas to help you break this bad habit and contribute to helping the environment.
1. Refillable Dispensers: A Sustainable and Stylish Solution for Amenities
As a property owner, we often provide a kit with amenities for guests’ personal use as a courtesy. However, these amenities contain a large amount of plastic and are often non-reusable. Therefore, an eco-friendly and long-lasting option is refillable dispensers. You can fill them with shampoo or shower gel so that guests can use them, reducing plastic waste. To refill these dispensers, you can purchase 1-litre bottles, which are quite durable, or even buy in bulk. This way, you can purchase more litres and avoid plastic bottles that would otherwise be discarded.
2. Durable Utensils and Tableware: Fewer Replacements, More Profitability
In our tourist apartment, we need to have quality tableware and utensils, whether they are made of glass, ceramic, or steel, but never plastic, as it wears out over time and ends up being discarded, thus increasing plastic use. Additionally, they can release microplastics and don’t create a good impression of our apartment or ourselves as property owners. We can also offer reusable glass water bottles instead of many plastic bottles that will end up in the trash; we can provide a single plastic container from which to refill the glass bottles.
Don’t forget to also replace other common plastic items like trays, straws, food wraps, disposable cutlery, and bottle caps. There are reusable or compostable alternatives that create a much more polished image.
3. Reusable Bags: A Small Change with a Big Impact
Plastic bags are also a significant environmental problem, so we can provide our guests with reusable bags for shopping, laundry, or dirty clothes etc. By offering this service, guests won’t use as much plastic, which will eventually be discarded. For trash bags, using plastic is inevitable, but we can offer a more sustainable option, which is to use biodegradable plastic bags. Likewise, for recycling, we can use different fabric bags to separate the various waste types.
4. Filtered Water: A Sustainable and Convenient Alternative
If we want to reduce plastic, we can install a water filter so that there are no plastic bottles in your tourist apartment. From here, guests can fill their glasses or, as mentioned before, a glass bottle. This way, we can reduce plastic bottles to zero in our apartment, making it more sustainable. Additionally, this installation is a long-term investment, as you will stop buying water packs every time you have new guests. It will also enhance the guest experience as they will feel more cared for and valued.
5. Sustainable Information: Inform, Raise Awareness, and Build Loyalty
To continue promoting sustainability in our tourist apartment, we can leave brochures with practical tips for guests to apply during their stay: how to save energy, reduce waste, and separate correctly into the appropriate bins. We can also place signs that promote responsible water and electricity usage. Additionally, it’s useful to explain why we have made decisions like reducing plastic use to raise guests’ awareness of their impact and encourage them to cooperate during their stay.
AB Apartment Barcelona: Sustainability and Expert Management for Your Apartment
At AB Apartment Barcelona, we not only help property owners manage their tourist apartments efficiently but also advocate for a more sustainable tourism model. We encourage the implementation of eco-friendly practices, waste reduction, and the use of locally sourced and responsibly consumed amenities.
If this guide has been helpful to you, leave us a comment . And if you are thinking of renting your home for tourist use and don’t know where to start, contact our team. At AB Apartment Barcelona, we are happy to assist you with everything you need!
