Vacation rental sector grapples with a $2.3 billion food waste issue in the short term
Reducing Food Waste in Short-Term Rentals: A Win-Win Opportunity for Hosts and Guests
A new study from Ohio State University has revealed that vacationers are willing to take steps to reduce food waste, and short-term rental hosts can potentially benefit from this by offering easy solutions [2][3]. The study found that guests leave behind an average of $12 in unused food per night, contributing to over $2.3 billion in annual food waste in the U.S. short-term rental market.
The study highlights that more than 40% of vacationers expressed strong interest in donation options for leftover food, yet only about 2% currently donate. Hosts can leverage this by including informational inserts about local food donation programs, composting resources, or guidance for transporting food home if the guest has a car [3][4]. Such practical, easy-to-follow steps could reduce food waste significantly.
Hosts adopting these sustainability practices might be recognised as "sustainable hosts" on rental platforms, potentially attracting environmentally conscious travelers and enabling hosts to charge a premium or see higher occupancy rates due to their valued guest experience enhancements [3]. This creates a win-win opportunity: guests save money by purchasing less uneaten food, hosts enhance their rental appeal, and communities reduce organic waste burdens.
Most respondents found information about how to donate or compost uneaten food at the end of a stay, and how to save on groceries during travel, to be helpful [1]. Online platforms might flag hosts providing information about food waste as "sustainable hosts" [3]. Vacationers with cars might consider taking their food home instead of leaving it behind [1].
The report does not mention any specific food waste reduction measures beyond providing information [2]. Ready-to-eat items made up the largest proportion of groceries by volume (37%) [1]. Ninety percent of vacationers bought groceries during their stay, spending an average of $34.40 per day [1]. The report suggests that property hosts could provide information or interventions to help guests purchase less food that goes uneaten, reducing organic waste [2].
Produce and staples made up the largest portion of uneaten food on average [2]. On average, food waste increased with the unit's rental price and the number of kids in the travel party [2]. Just 21% of hosts currently provide information about donating or composting uneaten food [2]. Informational inserts about food waste might be placed near waste and recycling information provided by hosts [3].
The report highlights a potential opportunity for short-term rental hosts to help reduce the impact of uneaten food [2]. Lead author Brian Roe stated that hosts would need to value this attribute for guests' experience to implement food waste reduction measures [3]. Hosts might provide information on donating and composting unused food, possibly obtained through local and regional short-term rental host associations [3].
In conclusion, implementing simple, accessible guidance on food donation and composting can help short-term rental hosts reduce food waste while offering a competitive advantage that may increase their rental occupancy or allow for higher rates [3][4]. By adopting these practices, hosts can contribute to a more sustainable tourism industry while enhancing the guest experience and potentially increasing their revenue.
- The study's findings suggest that offering informational inserts about local food donation programs could help reduce food waste in short-term rentals, due to guests' interest in donation options.
- By adopting sustainability practices such as providing information about food waste reduction, hosts might be recognized as "sustainable hosts" on rental platforms, potentially attracting environmentally conscious travelers.
- Vacationers might consider taking their unused food home instead of leaving it behind, saving them money and reducing organic waste in communities.
- The report indicates that short-term rental hosts have the potential to contribute to a more sustainable tourism industry and environmental-science by implementing simple, accessible guidance on food donation and composting.
