Sustainable development is considered as a development that is inclusive in maintaining the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Which means we should all start compromising for the needs of others instead of our own and make small daily changes that contribute to big future changes. These daily decisions make an impact on our environment, plants, animals, economic growth, health and our future family members to come.

Start by having in mind the three pillars for sustainable development, and how you can start taking action one by one, thinking about all the positive impacts you will have. The Three Pillars of Sustainability which were identified by the World Summit on Social Development (2005) are: economic (profit), environmental (planet) & social (people).

“If people worldwide switched to energy-efficient light bulbs the world would save 105 billion euros annually.”

Barcelona Holiday Rentals Sustainability Basics

Economic sustainability in holiday apartments, not only takes good care of your wallet, but it also makes a better world. So, here are some simple and basic ways you can start looking after the environment and your wallet to make your holiday apartment eco-friendly and sustainable.

Eco-friendly Actions to Start Implementing

LED Light Bulbs

Changing your traditional light bulbs such as fluorescent and incandescent lights to LED lights is 80% more efficient since 95% of LEDs is converted into light and 5% is wasted as heat. They don’t contain toxic elements, which can contaminate our environment when disposed of in landfill waste. You also will have a better quality of the light distribution in one direction, contrary to others which waste energy by emitting in all directions.

They also last up to six times longer which means lower carbon emissions,  and reduces the frequency of replacement of the light bulbs. Less energy use reduces the demand from power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. They are safer, sturdier, longer-lasting, and easier to install. 

We know how much you spend on your energy bills since guests on their holidays usually do not pay much attention to the electricity waste that they are creating, just because they are not the ones responsible in paying the bill. Switching to LED light bulbs is a great option since it takes good care of the property owners wallet. Your wallet – and our planet – will thank you for doing it!

Insulated Windows

Insulated spaces result in better thermal performance keeping the heat in during the winter and the heat out during the summer. This way when the guests use your holiday apartment during summer the apartment will feel fresh and the AC use will be less, also central heating will be used less during the winter. An easy and cost-efficient way to insulate the windows is by using window film, which is a protective layer used to cover the window glass to insulate it.

Also, weatherstripping, which seals gaps around doors and windows. Remember, this can make property owners save from 10 to 15 % on their holiday apartment energy bills and help the environment by energy reduction.

Upgrade to Energy-efficient Appliance

Small savings will add up over time and so will small expenses. Saving energy with energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce electric bills. Including clothes washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, air purifiers and humidifiers, that will account for 20 % of the apartment total electric bill.

Add Some Decoration

Adding some plant pots as details on a holiday apartment will not only give a special and cosy touch to the apartment but also, it benefits the interior reducing carbon dioxide levels, reducing levels of certain pollutants. They purify the air, they reduce stress, they add colour, and they are a great way to decorate seasonally, also, they smell great! It helps our guests to have an eco-therapy when they are inside the apartment, relaxing and decreasing their stress levels.

These changes applied to the holiday apartments will not only be beneficial for the owner but it also impacts on guests, society and the environment.

Sustainability at Stay U-nique

Since we are striving to improve daily, we are committed to our uniqueness to helping our environment and the property owners we work for. For transportation during work hours, we use our electric scooters and bicycles. As for the apartments we work for, we are starting to reduce plastic usage by providing a water filter jug to the guests. Also, in every property, we provide a sign which includes detailed instructions on how to sort the garbage with the colour system for recycling, as it is different in every country, this way we can ensure that our guests may use it correctly.

Stay U-nique has also joined the WeRespect initiative, which solidifies the relationship between tourist rentals and local populations.  We know that touristic apartment activity can negatively impact locals if it is not done properly, this is why we use room monitors to avoid and to keep control of excessive noise from guests so we can respect the local environment and improve our social sustainability.

To find out more about the WeRespect initiative, click here.

If you would like more information about sustainable development and the different ways you can contribute, click here and read about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

If you wish to become more sustainable with improving your holiday rental apartment, we are more than happy to take care of the process and provide you with more information to start making a big positive impact.