Hidden Airbnb Cost: Food Waste Contributes 5% to Each Rental Expense
Short-term rental guests can make a significant impact on reducing food waste and related costs by adopting a few simple strategies during their stays. According to a study published in the International Journal of Integrated Waste Management, short-term rental lodgers throw away approximately $2.3 billion worth of uneaten food every year, accounting for just over 5% of the average rental fee.
One key approach is to shop locally and buy in appropriate quantities. This helps avoid excess food that may go uneaten. When packing perishables like ice cream or meat for travel, consider underbuying to ensure they survive the journey. If driving, unused perishables like milk, butter, or cheese can be frozen the night before departure to stay fresh longer.
Using reusable food storage containers, especially glass, is another effective way to store leftovers neatly and reuse food later. Hosts can support waste reduction by supplying eco-friendly and refillable products and multiple container sizes.
Cooking and eating meals within the rental property also helps control portions and avoid the waste typical in restaurants. If needed, most Airbnbs come equipped with a microwave, a full-size refrigerator, and an oven or stove.
When travel plans change, or meals are eaten out, it's advisable to leave some flexibility in the meal plan. If travelers have unused food with packaging intact, they can donate it to a food bank or church on their way out of town.
Depending on the arrangement, short-term rental hosts may be available to provide suggestions for disposing of excess uneaten food or may accept it as a gift. More than 20% of short-term rental hosts provide instructions on how to dispose of leftover food, and 46% present an opportunity for renters to recycle.
For those seeking inspiration for meal planning, Emily Dingmann, a writer and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, offers easy recipes for busy families. Her work has been featured on various media outlets. A healthier alternative to drive-thru food at rest stops could be easy cowboy caviar, a snack that can be stored in a bowl with a lid and passed around with chips.
Feeding America reports $473 billion worth of food is thrown away each year in the United States. By adopting these strategies, short-term rental guests can help reduce this waste and contribute to a more sustainable travel experience.
- By shopping locally and buying in appropriate quantities, short-term rental guests can avoid excess food waste during their stays.
- When packing perishables for travel, consider underbuying to ensure they survive the journey, and if driving, unused perishables can be frozen the night before departure to stay fresh longer.
- Using reusable food storage containers, especially glass, is an effective way to store leftovers and help reduce waste.
- Hosts can support waste reduction by supplying eco-friendly and refillable products, as well as multiple container sizes for guests.
- Cooking and eating meals within the rental property helps control portions and avoid restaurant waste, and most Airbnbs come equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and oven or stove.
- For those seeking meal planning inspiration, Emily Dingmann offers easy recipes for busy families, and a healthier alternative to drive-thru food at rest stops could be cowboy caviar, a snack that can be stored and passed around with chips. Adopting these strategies can help reduce the $473 billion worth of food thrown away annually in the United States, contributing to a more sustainable travel experience.
