{"id":43266,"date":"2021-10-13T08:00:24","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T06:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=43266"},"modified":"2021-10-12T18:00:11","modified_gmt":"2021-10-12T16:00:11","slug":"sustainable-accommodation-budget-friendly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/sustainable-accommodation-budget-friendly\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Sustainable Accommodation Be Budget-Friendly?"},"content":{"rendered":"

More and more people are starting to realize the importance of sustainability<\/strong>. The fact that an eco-friendly approach to all aspects of life is becoming prevalent is fantastic news. Still, many believe that anything labeled green<\/em> inherently comes with a hefty price tag. Traveling, being a somewhat costly hobby as is, is no exception to this rule. Therefore, it’s only natural if you are wondering – can sustainable accommodation be budget-friendly?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the answer to this question is not easy to get since it depends on many factors, this article will attempt to explore the topic and provide some essential information that should make things a bit clearer.<\/p>\n

What is sustainable accommodation?<\/h2>\n

Before we delve deeper into the matter at hand, let us first determine what the term ‘sustainable accommodation<\/strong>‘ actually means.
\nWhile\u00a0a charming treehouse in Italy<\/a>\u00a0or a minimalistic dome in the middle of a forest might be the first pictures that come to mind, green stays<\/strong> are much more than that. Contrary to popular belief, a few solar panels on the roof of a hotel is not enough for it to be considered green. Much like eco-friendly fashion, food, and transportation, sustainable accommodation is supposed to minimize its harm to the planet<\/strong><\/a>, local economy, and culture. But how do hosts achieve this?<\/p>\n

Respect towards locals<\/h2>\n

As we already established, green accommodation needs to be respectful not only towards the planet but also to the locals. This includes fair wages and working conditions for the employees and minimal disturbance to the local community.<\/p>\n

Respect for nature<\/h2>\n

If a forest needed to be cleared in order for the building to be constructed, the accommodation is likely not as green as its owners claim it to be. Sustainable accommodation must have the utmost respect for the environment it is in. After all, there is nothing eco-friendly in the suffering of nature for someone’s profit.<\/p>\n

Renewable energy<\/h2>\n

Nowadays, switching to renewable energy<\/a> sources is easier than ever. With that said, it’s easy to understand why this is the first thing that comes to mind when eco-friendliness is mentioned.
\nGreen accommodation must be in accordance with this trend, whether that means harvesting the power of the sun, wind, or water. Some hosts even go as far as to produce their own energy.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash<\/div><\/div>\n

Mindful water usage<\/h2>\n

Much like with electricity, mindful water usage<\/a> is essential for sustainability. This means you probably won’t encounter lavish water features and heated Olympic pools in the eco-friendly accommodation section. On the contrary, green housing should have rainwater harvesting<\/strong> and water reuse systems, water flow reducers, and anything else that minimizes the waste of this precious resource. Additionally, guests should be informed on how to utilize the system in the most efficient manner.<\/p>\n

Local food<\/h2>\n

If the accommodation offers food, it might be good to check where the food is coming from. Ideally, everything should be organic<\/strong> and grown on the property, with minimal waste. However, if that is not possible, local produce that has not traveled thousands of miles wrapped in layers of plastic is the next best thing. Moreover, most green accommodations offer only vegetarian or vegan dishes<\/strong><\/a> on their menus.<\/p>\n

\"Organic
Photo by Megan Thomas on Unsplash<\/div><\/div>\n

Reduce, reuse, recycle<\/h2>\n

The three Rs<\/strong> are at the core of sustainability, and, as such, they should be an essential part of sustainable accommodation. Here is what they imply:<\/p>\n