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Going Green at Your Vacation Home, Part 2
Learn how to help your renters be environmentally conscious while staying at your vacation property.
In March, the HomeAway Owner Community team attended the Cottage Life Show in Toronto, presented by Cottage Life Magazine. After attending a seminar on Going Green: Practical Solutions for Average Cottagers by Leslie Garrett, author of The Virtuous Consumer and The Virtuous Traveler columns, we wanted to share all the great money-saving and environmentally helpful tips we learned. We've already shared some of her great maintenance tips in Going Green Part 1, so here are some ideas for encouraging your renters to be environmentally friendly at your home.
Directions and Rules
| It might be a good idea to send some general “environmental” guidelines with your directions, or simply post them with other information at your home. For example, you could provide instructions for recycling or where to throw out organic trash that can be used for composting. You might want to talk about ways to keep the wildlife healthy in your area, like reminding renters not to go near dolphins if you are on the beach. Without going overboard and micro-managing your guests' stay, you can gently suggest ways to help the environment while they are on vacation. |
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Grilling and Eating
A favorite pastime of vacation property renters is grilling out on the deck or patio. However, this is not necessarily a favorite of the environment. To be more environmentally conscious, keep natural gas or propane at your home for a cleaner burn. Also, ask renters to avoid lighter fluid and charcoal.
It would also be a nice touch to tell renters how they can eat healthier and more environmentally friendly during their stay. Consider adding some information on the four main factors to consider when purchasing food to eat: seasonal, sustainable, organic, and local.
• Seasonal: Not only do seasonal products taste better when they are in season, but it is actually healthier for you and the environment. A typical meal travels 1500 miles from farm to fork, emitting a lot of greenhouse gases along the way. Eating “seasonally” will also help to keep local farmers in business. Fortunately many vacation properties are located in areas that have accessible farmstands and markets. Highlight these farmstands in your guest handbook or directions so the renters can easily find them.
• Sustainable: Our salmon and shrimp supply, for example, is depleting. Suggest recommended fish in your area, usually wild and not farm-raised.
• Organic: This has become a popular buzz word, but some people are confused by the definition. This means that what you're eating is simply food with no pesticides. Again, this is better for us and for the planet and can be supplied by some local farmers. Point your renters to local grocery stores and food stands that carry organic food and products.
• Local: Help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing locally. Chances are the renters will also like the authentic experience of purchasing local foods from the towns they are visiting.
Enjoying the Lakes
Renters might want to experience all that their vacation home and destination have to offer. However, being unfamiliar with the area, they might not be aware of how their actions could affect the environment. Here are a few more tips to offer if you own on or near a lake.
• Sunscreen: Sunscreens have parabens that are absorbed into the skin and can be hormone-altering. When we go into lakes with these products on our skin, the marine life can be affected (scientists have seen evidence of gender bending.) Garrett recommends zinc products because these sit on the skin and repel water. Plus they have clear products nowadays – no more white strip down your nose!
• Soaps and shampoos: Some people want to get back to nature by bathing in a nearby lake. However, using soaps and shampoos in the water is not healthy for our planet. They need soil to be truly biodegradable, so it is best to ask guests to stick to the showers. You can even provide eco-friendly soaps and shampoos for your guests to use as an added touch.
You want your renters to enjoy their stay, but it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice environmentally friendly practices. Remember to suggest these tips gently, though, so as not to be over-bearing. If the renter sees your concern and care for the environment without taking control of their vacation, they should be happy to comply.
For more information on Leslie Garrett and how to become a more environmentally savvy consumer, traveler and homeowner, visit http://www.virtuousconsumer.com/
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