Managing Waste at Your Airbnb: Tips for Preventing Overflowing Bins
You’d be surprised at how much garbage guests can generate during their stay, especially with the amount of bottles and other waste they might accumulate. To ensure your bins don’t overflow and become unpleasantly stinky, here’s a guide on the bin capacity you’ll need based on your property size:
| Property Size | General Waste Bin | Recycling Bins |
| Up to 8 guests | 1 x 240L | 2 x 240L |
| 9-11 guests | 1 x 240L | 2 x 240L |
| 1 x 120L | ||
| 12-13 guests | 2 x 240L | 2 x 240L |
| 14+ guests | 3 x 240L | 3 x 240L |
Depending on your local council’s policies, extra bins may incur a fee. However, it is certainly worth paying a little extra to avoid guests arriving to find overflowing bins and the stench of rotting garbage. Most councils supply additional recycling bins for around $50, making it a very cost-effective and sustainable way of managing excess waste.
Handling Overflow and Excess Waste
Even with adequate bin capacity, there may be times when your bins overflow, especially during peak seasons. It’s essential to have a process in place for your cleaners to dispose of any excess garbage before the next guests arrive. This ensures that your property remains clean and welcoming.
Signage, Guest Communication, and Reminders
It’s a good idea to place signage near both your main interior bin and your exterior bins, advising guests of the bin collection days. Additionally, include this information in your Guest Guidebook. Clear communication can help manage expectations and encourage guests to dispose of waste properly.
To further ensure that bins are managed effectively, consider setting up automated messages or sending a text reminder to guests on bin night, prompting them to put the bins out and bring them back in. This small effort can prevent issues with missed bin collections and overflowing waste.
Potential Issues with Bins Left Out
If guests leave bins out after collection day, it can lead to complaints from neighbors and may even result in fines from the local council. By reminding guests to bring the bins back in, you help maintain good relations with neighbors and avoid any potential penalties.
Dealing with Excessive Garbage
Occasionally, guests may generate an unreasonable amount of garbage. In these situations, it’s important that your rental agreement or house rules clearly state that there will be charges for excess garbage removal. This not only protects you but also sets clear expectations for your guests.
An owner shares:
“Our rules state that if guests use more than a full bin, they will be charged for excess garbage removal. We also ask guests to inform us if the bin is more than two-thirds full on arrival so that we can arrange to take the garbage away.”
Final Thoughts
Proper waste management is crucial for maintaining a clean and pleasant environment at your Airbnb. By providing adequate bin capacity, setting clear rules, and ensuring timely waste removal, you can prevent issues with overflowing garbage and keep your property in top condition for all guests. This attention to detail not only improves the guest experience but also helps protect your property from potential damage, neighbor complaints, or council fines. Utilizing additional recycling bins provided by most councils for around $50 is an effective and sustainable way to manage excess waste and support the environment.
