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There's no shortage of advice telling Airbnb hosts to "go green." However, when you're managing turnover times and guest expectations, sustainability can feel like another item on an already overwhelming checklist. But what if it could make your job easier?

Eco-friendly Airbnb practices have moved beyond niche appeal—they're reshaping how guests choose where to stay. The numbers tell the story: 78% of global travelers intend to stay in eco-friendly vacation rentals, while eco-friendly Airbnb stays jumped 141% from 2018 to 2019 [4]. Perhaps most telling? 88% of Airbnb hosts worldwide have already incorporated green practices into their properties [5].

What does that tell us? Sustainability isn't just good for the planet—it's becoming essential for staying competitive.

Among all the green upgrades you could make, refillable systems offer one of the smartest returns on investment. Simple switches—bulk toiletries instead of miniatures, sustainable dispensers, quality hand soaps—create immediate impact. Guests notice. Operating costs drop. Waste shrinks.

Many travelers actively seek ways to reduce their travel footprint, and your refill systems become part of that experience. Not as an afterthought, but as a thoughtful amenity that shows you've considered their values.

Here's a practical guide to refill systems that work in real Airbnb operations—from bathroom essentials to kitchen basics. These aren't theoretical concepts but tested approaches that enhance guest satisfaction while reducing environmental impact and long-term costs.

Why Refill Systems Are the Future of Airbnb Sustainability

Single-use plastics create a hidden burden for eco-friendly Airbnb hosts. Those tiny shampoo bottles and disposable amenities may seem convenient during turnover, but they add up quickly, both in terms of cost and environmental impact.

The problem with single-use plastics

Walk through any vacation rental after checkout and you'll find the evidence: half-empty travel bottles, plastic wrappers, disposable containers. Single-use plastics (SUPs) dominate the amenity landscape:

• Travel-sized toiletry bottles
• Disposable water bottles
• Plastic wrappers and packaging
• Single-use soap containers

These items create waste that persists for centuries in landfills. But the real issue isn't just environmental—it's operational. Constantly restocking miniatures, managing packaging waste, dealing with spillage, and mess.

How Refills Reduce Waste and Save Money

Refillable shower dispensers solve multiple problems at once. The math is straightforward: bulk purchasing costs significantly less per ounce than individual travel sizes. Many hosts report noticeable drops in trash service fees after making the switch. The long-term savings from bulk buying and refillery options become substantial over time.

Beyond the numbers, refill systems create cleaner turnover experiences. Say goodbye to dealing with leaked bottles or accumulated packaging waste. Less mess means happier neighbors and smoother operations.

Quality matters here. Well-designed dispensers improve the guest experience—they signal attention to detail and environmental thoughtfulness without sacrificing convenience.

Bring Refills Into Your Space

Explore thoughtfully designed dispensers to create a more sustainable, cost-effective routine:

• Aquamenities Triple Amenity Fixture | Zogics Citrus + Aloe
• SOLera Oval 3 Chamber Dispenser | Amenie Lavender Mint
• Ecowell Wall Mounted Shower Bracket | Terra Pure

Style your bath space with intention—and refill with ease. Shop now.

What Guests Expect in 2025

Guest preferences have shifted dramatically. Eco-conscious travelers now actively seek accommodations that align with their values. Sustainable features—energy-efficient appliances, recycling systems, and low-waste amenities—influence booking decisions more than ever.

Properties that highlight eco-friendly practices stand out in crowded markets and often attract longer stays from mindful travelers. Airbnb's search filters now include eco-friendly options, a feature that's expanding as more properties adopt green standards.

For hosts managing competitive markets, refill systems aren't just about environmental responsibility—they've become a practical differentiator that guests notice and appreciate.

Top Refillable Categories for Your Airbnb

Refillable amenities are quickly becoming the standard for successful eco-friendly Airbnb hosts in 2025. Setting up practical refill systems throughout your property creates a more sustainable guest experience while reducing both environmental impact and operating costs.

Toiletries: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash

The bathroom offers the most visible opportunity for sustainable impact. Wall-mounted dispensers filled with quality products eliminate the miniature bottle waste that frustrates both hosts and environmentally conscious guests.

For your vacation rental, choose Amenie’s Sicilian Tangerine and Lavender Mint bath and body care lines. These sets, available in 1-gallon sizes, offer easy refilling and are paired with refillable dispensers like the SOLera 2 Chamber and 3 Chamber Dispensers. Designed for simplicity and sustainability, these products provide your guests with a luxurious experience while reducing waste and saving money. Free from harmful chemicals, Amenie ensures a healthier stay for your guests and a cleaner environment.

Cleaning: Surface Sprays, Dish Soap, Laundry

Modern cleaning supplies have evolved well beyond traditional bottles. Several brands now offer refill systems designed specifically for busy hosts managing quick turnovers.

Zogics Concentrated Cleaners provide highly effective, eco-friendly solutions for surface sprays, dish soap, and laundry. Their concentrated formulas reduce waste and save on delivery costs, with packaging designed to minimize plastic use.

Both Zogics Cleaners and EcoPro Laundry Detergent are formulated with the environment in mind, helping reduce plastic waste while providing powerful, plant-based cleaning performance.

Kitchen: Hand Soap, Reusable Containers

Kitchen sustainability extends beyond cleaning products to storage solutions that guests use during their stay.

Refillable hand soap dispensers from brands like zoffer paper-based refills plus "forever bottles"—eliminating plastic pump waste. The refills store compactly, and the dispensers maintain a clean, professional appearance.

Providing reusable food storage containers helps guests reduce their waste while staying with you. Glass containers work particularly well—they're infinitely recyclable and can be used thousands of times. As one experienced host notes, "This will save you money in the long term by reusing quality containers instead of purchasing new materials regularly."

Simple wins: Stock a few different sizes of glass containers. Guests appreciate having options for leftovers or storing snacks they've purchased locally.

Choosing the Right Products and Dispensers

The difference between a refill system that works and one that becomes a maintenance headache often comes down to product selection. Quality dispensers reduce guest complaints, simplify cleaning routines, and maintain their appearance through hundreds of uses.

Best Airbnb Toiletries for Refill Systems

When outfitting your vacation rental, look for bulk gallon options to make refilling affordable and easy to do. These high-quality products provide a hotel-like experience without the environmental cost.

For plant-based options, choose formulas that are vegan, naturally fragranced, and free from harmful ingredients like mineral oils, colorants, SLS/SLES, and phenoxyethanol. Products with organic certifications meet both quality and sustainability standards.

Explore eco-friendly selections designed for refill systems:

• Beekman 1802 Fresh Air Shampoo Gallon
• Beekman 1802 Fresh Air Hand & Body Wash Gallon
• Farmhouse Fresh Harvest Green Shampoo
• Farmhouse Fresh Harvest Green Body Wash

Eco-Friendly Shampoo Dispensers That Last

Durability matters more than initial cost when you're managing multiple properties. Consider these material options:

• Stainless steel dispensers resist tampering and last for years of heavy use
• Recycled PET options reduce environmental impact while maintaining functionality
• Bio-sourced materials from sugar cane offer sustainable alternatives with proven durability

Stylish and Functional Refill Containers

Design matters, but function comes first. Customizable dispensers allow you to maintain brand consistency through personalized labels, while prioritizing ease of use over appearance.

Dispenser Amenities offers dispensers that elevate bathroom aesthetics while standing up to daily use. Their various finishes complement different design styles without sacrificing practicality.

Choose dispensers designed for quick cleaning between stays. Complex mechanisms or hard-to-reach areas slow down turnover and increase labor costs. Simple, effective systems save time while maintaining the quality standards guests expect.

Making Refills Part of the Guest Experience

Installing refill systems is just the beginning. The real impact happens when guests understand and embrace what you've created. With 88% of Airbnb hosts worldwide already incorporating green practices, standing out requires more than just having sustainable amenities—it requires communicating them effectively.

How To Educate Guests On Your Refill System

First impressions matter, especially when introducing something new. Start with your welcome message—mention your property's eco-friendly features as part of what makes the stay special, not as a list of rules to follow.

Strategic placement of simple explanations works better than overwhelming guests with information:

• A brief bathroom note about your refillable dispensers and their environmental benefits
• Kitchen guidance on reusable containers and proper sorting
• Subtle reminders about water conservation near fixtures

Your digital guidebook offers the perfect space for a dedicated sustainability initiatives section. Frame it as "How to make the most of your eco-friendly stay" rather than a lecture on environmental responsibility. Guests appreciate being empowered to participate rather than being told what they should do.

Using signage to promote sustainability

Effective signage guides without lecturing. The goal is clarity, not consciousness-raising. Consider that 94% of Americans favor recycling, yet only 35% do so due to uncertainty—confusion, not apathy, is usually the barrier.

Keep signage simple and attractive:

• Clear instructions over environmental messaging - "Glass and cans here" works better than lengthy explanations about recycling benefits.
• Design consistency - Signs should complement your property's aesthetic, not compete with it.
• Point-of-use placement - Put instructions where guests need them, when they need them.

Encouraging Guests To Reuse and Recycle

Make sustainable choices the easiest choices. Provide reusable shopping bags by the door for convenient access when guests head out [8]. Offer canvas alternatives to plastic bags for local shopping [8]. Include clear sorting guidelines for trash, recycling, and compostables [9].

Small acknowledgments can reinforce positive behavior. 66% of Airbnb guests say environmental benefits are important in their accommodation choices, so a simple thank-you note recognizing their participation in your sustainability efforts often appears in positive reviews.

The key is making eco-friendly practices feel natural and convenient, not like extra work. When guests can easily participate in your sustainability efforts, they often become advocates for your property's thoughtful approach to hospitality.

Small Systems, Big Impact

Refill systems aren't about grand gestures or perfect sustainability. They're about practical choices that happen to make sense for your business, your guests, and the environment.

Start simple. A quality shampoo dispenser in the shower. Hand soap that lasts throughout your stay. Cleaning supplies that work as well as—or better than—what you're using now. These aren't complicated upgrades, but they signal something important to guests: you've thought this through.

The hosts who get ahead of this shift won't be the ones making dramatic announcements about going green. They'll be the ones whose properties feel more thoughtful, whose operating costs stay manageable, and whose guests leave feeling good about their choice to stay.

Not every sustainable choice has to be visible or Instagram-worthy. The most meaningful changes often happen quietly—in the details guests notice without thinking about them, in the costs that don't appear on your monthly statements, in the waste that doesn't get created.

Design with intention. Refill with purpose. And remember that the most impactful sustainability practices are often the ones that simply make everything work a little better.

FAQs

Q1. What are the benefits of using refill systems in an Airbnb? 

Refill systems reduce plastic waste, save money on toiletries and cleaning supplies, and appeal to eco-conscious guests. They also help create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly rental property.

Q2. How can I educate my guests about the refill systems in my Airbnb? 

You can include information in your welcome letter, place explanatory notes near refill stations, add a section about sustainability in your digital guidebook, and use clear, attractive signage throughout the property to guide guests on proper usage.

Q3. What are some popular refillable categories for Airbnb properties? 

Popular refillable categories include bathroom toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash), cleaning supplies (surface sprays, dish soap, laundry detergent), and kitchen essentials (hand soap, reusable food containers).

Q4. How do I choose the right dispensers for my Airbnb? 

Look for durable, tamper-resistant dispensers made from sustainable materials like stainless steel or recycled PET. Consider options that are stylish, easy to clean, and complement your property's decor. Customizable dispensers can also enhance your rental's branding.

Q5. Are guests interested in eco-friendly Airbnb practices? 

Yes, there's a growing trend towards eco-conscious travel. According to recent studies, 78% of global travelers intend to stay in eco-friendly vacation rentals, and many are actively seeking accommodations that align with their environmental values.

References

[1] - https://www.hostaway.com/blog/eco-friendly-airbnb/
[2] - https://turno.com/blog/airbnb-eco-friendly-alternatives/
[3] - https://takeourtrash.com/blogs/news/how-to-reduce-waste-at-your-airbnb-or-short-term-rental?srsltid=AfmBOoqKNhiATmxU9Cqk_Kq3fnLWACJ78li9GNS3a_84LMQ_LZKciEgr
[4] - https://www.liftylife.ca/blog/eco-friendly-airbnb-vacation-rental/
[5] - https://www.redawning.com/pm/post/airbnb-booking-trends-for-2025-key-insights-for-hosts-and-short-term-rental-investors
[6] - https://superstaysstr.com/top-trends-for-hotels-short-term-stays-and-airbnb-in-2025/
[7] - https://news.airbnb.com/how-the-airbnb-community-supports-environmentally-friendly-travel-worldwide/
[8] - https://hosttools.com/blog/short-term-rental-tips/airbnb-sustainability/
[9] - https://www.guesty.com/blog/8-ways-to-go-green-with-your-vacation-rentals/
[10] - https://www.frankporter.com/blog/sustainable-hosting-practices-for-your-eco-friendly-airbnb
[11] - https://www.aptim.com/media/six-ways-to-attract-guests-with-sustainability/