Reduce plastic and waste with these compostable kitchen products which biodegrade easily
Many guests choose to stay in a vacation rental precisely because it has a kitchen. They like the convenience of having a place where they can prepare food and the flexibility that they do not have to eat out all the time. It also helps them try a whole variety of foods which are typical to the local area and cater to any dietary requirements of the group.
Consequently, guests are likely to spend a fair amount of time in the kitchen of your vacation rental, and it is often the little things that they will notice. Offering compostable kitchen products is a great way to show that you care about the environment and reducing plastic.
1. Provide green cleaning products to reduce plastic
One of the first sustainable actions that a property management company or host will take is to change their cleaning products. Many of the cloths, brushes and scourers that are available are made from petroleum-based plastic. As we all know, plastic is not biodegradable and tends to break up into smaller pieces called microplastics.
However, there are lots of compostable cleaning products which do the same job as plastic, they look good and they are biodegradable. So, you will be able to source scourers made out of materials like natural cellulose, loofah and organic cotton. Or attractive kitchen cloths which can be washed for re-use and are biodegradable.
In addition to cleaning tools, think about washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets and cleaning products. You want to look closely at the ingredients and if they are not listed, then do ask questions. Any reputable brand will be ready to adhere to your sustainable procurement procedures.
DID YOU KNOW? – Offering green cleaning products can get you up to 3.50% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Green cleaning products are naturally derived, non-toxic, and biodegradable, meaning they have less impact on the environment.
2. Buy compostable kitchen products for food storage
As we have mentioned, guests often choose vacation rentals so that they have a place to store and prepare food. Providing non-plastic containers is one of those little touches that guests will notice. In addition, it may give them inspiration for when they return home. Part of Sustonica’s mission is to empower guests to adopt more sustainable practices in their everyday lives.
Fortunately, there are some really cool solutions which can replace plastic storage containers or cling film. Like reusable wraps (see the image), usually made from organic cotton coated with beeswax, with vegan options too. As they come in attractive designs, you could even consider gifting them to guests for them to take back and use at home.
Another alternative to a single-use plastic storage are compostable and resealable food bags made from a plant based resin.
3. Remember about compost bins
If you are going to provide compostable kitchen products, then it makes sense to make sure that they are actually composted! Most guests expect to have recycling bins in short-term rental properties, and these should include one for kitchen waste. This is the bin where your staff will be able to put the compostable kitchen products which need replacing.
DID YOU KNOW? – Offering at least 4 recycling bins can get you up to 2.75% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Recycling glass, paper, plastic and organic waste means that these items do not end up in landfill and may be recycled for future use.
In addition, you can provide biodegradable bags for the compost bin to ensure that they do not get too smelly and dirty.
4. Change to compostable pods for coffee machines
The vast majority of vacation rentals will have a coffee maker, with Nespresso probably the most popular. Now, of course, you want to provide your guests with the best coffee experience, but have you ever thought about what happens to the empty coffee pods?
Most coffee pods are made of aluminium, which is energy intensive to manufacture but also are not widely recycled by local municipalities. Around 39,000 capsules are produced every minute globally, and up to 29,000 of these end up in landfill. Some research shows that they can take 500 years to break down. This happens because most coffee pods are aluminium coated with plastic, which is difficult to separate before recycling.
As a result, many coffee-pod producers have introduced their own recycling schemes. However, these may not be that convenient if you have to deliver the used coffee pods back to them.
Consequently, the best solution could be to buy compostable coffee pods that can be easily disposed of. Many of these fit existing Nespresso machines.
5. Provide compostable and unbreakable cutlery and crockery
There may be times that guests are tempted to take your breakable crockery or stainless cutlery outside your property. If you have a swimming pool, you probably do not want guests to take glasses, which could easily break and create a health hazard.
So why not make up a picnic-style set for guests to use outside. This could contain some bamboo reusable cutlery, some bamboo straws and maybe some stainless steel reusable cups. You can even include some pretty recycled paper napkins to create the picnic vibe!
Disclaimer: We are not responsible for the eco-friendly claims of any of the companies linked to in this blog. We would recommend that you perform due diligence when making your sustainable procurement choices.
