how to create graphics about your eco-friendly actions.
Fortunately, we've moved past the times when hosts could indulge guests with romantic phrases like "our property is exceptional," "here you will find the most delicious organic food," or "our wide range of offerings will surely satisfy even the most demanding guests." Nowadays, only the hosts who've been living under a rock still roll out these worn-out lines. First, guests have heard these claims a zillion times and tune them out like elevator music. Second, because everyone and their auntie still uses them, they fail to stand out from the "greenwashed" crowd. Lastly, guests want more than just words—they want actual proof that you're not just blowing hot air.
Modern consumers are much more ecologically aware than ever before, and when they hear terms like "eco," "bio," "green," or "organic," they become skeptical detectives sniffing out greenwashing. They won’t hesitate to give you the side-eye if your actions don’t match your words. So, it's time to step up your game.
In an age when online eco-accusations fly faster than gossip at a family reunion, smart and witty communication about your green efforts is like a golden ticket for standing out in the sea of greenwashed competitors. And that’s where we step in to help!
Why should you shout about your eco efforts from the digital rooftops?
Well, let's break it down:
You're the GPS for green globetrotters!
Think of yourself as the eco-savvy beacon guiding conscious travelers to your doorstep. By flaunting your green credentials online, you're basically making it easier for them to find you in the vast wilderness of travel options.
Eco-brags are the new black!
Ever noticed how folks into slow travel are basically walking encyclopedias of eco-facts? So, if you let them in on your eco-initiatives, they'll be more excited than a kid in a candy store to support your green dreams. Plus, who doesn't love a bit of eco-bragging on social media?
Be the trendsetter, not the typical tour operator for the masses! By spilling the tea (or should we say, organic fair-trade tea?) on your sustainable mission, you’re not just winning over travelers—you’re starting a movement. You'll have other entrepreneurs taking notes, local officials doing a double-take, and trend-watchers saying, “Well, well, well, looks like the green is in!”
So get ready to sprinkle some eco-magic and turn your corner of the world into a green paradise, one Insta post at a time!
How to communicate eco-actions?
Alright, now that you're ready to share your eco-successes with the world, we've got some juicy tips on how to do it right:
Keep it clear and cheery: Make sure your eco-initiatives and guest instructions are spelled out in clear, friendly terms.
Steer clear of generic phrases like "we’re serving eco-friendly food," "we’re planting trees," or "we’resorting waste," whenever possible.
Instead, get specific! Describe your actions with numbers and examples from your own business. For instance, swap the tired “We save water and save the planet” (yawn!) for something like: “Brushing your teeth with the tap running uses around 6 liters of water, but if you turn it off, you’re down to just 1 liter. And if you use a cup, it’s about 200 ml. That’s a serious water-saving hack, right? You’ll find your cup on the cosmetics shelf.”
Keep it snappy and specific: When crafting your messages, aim for short, clear, and to-the-point advice. Clichés like "Save water, save the world" are about as fresh as the times of and more likely to induce eye-rolls than action. You don't need to reinvent the wheel – just a little extra clarity in your message will probably do most of the heavy lifting. So, go forth and spread your eco-gospel with clarity, cheer, and a sprinkle of wit!
Example: Instead of "Save water, save the planet" (yawn!), try something like: “Brushing your teeth with the tap running uses around 6 liters of water. But if you turn it off, you're down to just 1 liter. And if you use a cup, it's about 200 ml. That's some serious water-saving mojo, right? Grab your cup from the cosmetics shelf.”
Avoid sending your guests on a guilt trip: Use positive language, highlighting the benefits of environmentally friendly actions.
Example: "If you manage to shorten your shower to 5 minutes, you'll save around 30 liters of water. That's enough to water 1/3 of our herb garden."
Play with statistics and visual comparisons: Ecobnb suggests that showing the majority of guests engaging in certain practices can be a more effective message. Example 1: "67% of our guests last year preferred drinking tap water over bottled water." Example 2: "About 70% of our guests in the last six months happily used our reusable water bottles and food containers, which we provide to reduce waste production and food waste."
Address home routine: Connect eco-actions with guests' household habits, juxtaposing environmentally friendly behaviors with routine actions at home.
Example 1: "Feel at home and use one towel for several days, just like you probably do at home." Example 2: "When leaving the bathroom, turn off the lights – just as you likely do at home :)"
Turn sustainability into a game: How about throwing down a challenge and adding a dash of fun?
Picture this: Guests who reduce their waste to less than 1 kg per day will be entered into a draw to win a free night’s stay for two. Now that’s what we call eco-friendly with benefits! Who wouldn’t want to save the planet and score a freebie?
Or maybe it's time for some eco-racing. Example: "Here's a challenge for you: can you finish your shower in under 5 minutes? Think of it as speed dating with water conservation. On your mark, get set... save!"
Gamify it, and watch your guests compete like they're in the Eco-Olympics. Trust us, turning a simple task into a contest is way more motivating than just asking politely. Plus, who doesn’t love a good challenge, especially when there’s a prize involved?
Keep it real with your stats: From experience, we know that throwing around random stats disconnected from reality is about as memorable as yesterday's lunch. So, make it relatable! Stick to simplified statistics, like your monthly electricity consumption or the number of kilograms of plastic waste you’ve reduced. Not only will you be able to track your eco-progress, but you’ll also have juicy numbers to show your guests the impact of your efforts. It’s like a mini-environmental education session that actually makes sense! Personalized data tied to your property makes the message way more digestible than vague, meaningless figures.
Example: "Last month, we reduced our water consumption to X liters—that’s X% less than we used a year ago. Not too shabby, right?"
Avoid buzzword bingo—be real with your eco-vocab: Careful with your choice of words! If you're throwing around terms like “eco,” “organic,” and “sustainable” without meaning, your credibility could vanish faster than a guest’s Wi-Fi connection during a Netflix binge. Keep your language clear and precise. For example, certified organic products aren’t the same as natural products (even if they sound just as fancy), and the difference matters.
It’s also a good idea to steer clear of those trendy-but-vague terms. We know "eco" is the Beyoncé of buzzwords right now, but if something’s genuinely ecological, explain why it’s good for the planet. Not only does this keep you out of the greenwashing danger zone, but it also educates your guests and shows them that their actions can really make a difference.
Keep it real with your eco-photos: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council says one surefire way to boost your eco-property’s reputation is by showcasing real, authentic photos of your actual initiatives. So, don’t fall for the trap of using generic stock images to brag about your green accomplishments—nothing screams “inauthentic” like a stock photo of a smiling person hugging a tree that’s never seen your property. Let your genuine actions be your shining star. Authenticity isn’t just nice; it’s your Unique Selling Proposition that makes your place stand out in the whole “eco” crowd!
Get guests on board with waste reduction: Encourage your guests to join the green team and help cut down on waste. Some properties promoting responsible travel, like Chumbe Island Coral Park in Zanzibar, use written information directed at guests on-site and in eco-huts (in the form of stickers and signs)to remind them of the eco-friendly policies of the property. Think of it as a gentle nudge in the roght direction rather than a full-on lecture.
You can ask for simple actions (e.g., “Thanks for turning off the lights when you leave the room!”) and show off your commitment to eco-friendly practices (e.g., “This soap is made from 100% environmentally friendly ingredients. Plus, every bar supports Organization X, which empowers local women economically. Learn more at www...”).
If you’re worried about cluttering up your stylish decor with too many signs, take a cue from places like Lafamily Villas in Tenerife, which have seamlessly integrated their eco-messages into their interior design. It’s like turning your space into a chic, eco-conscious gallery!
Give your guests the eco-tour they didn’t know they needed! Give arriving guests a tour on how they can be eco-warriors during their stay! Point out the recycling stations, where they can grab a trendy cotton shopping bag, and snag containers for their adventure snacks.
And hey, don't forget to keep your business vibes fresh – update your website and social media regularly. If your last eco-move feels like the Stone Age, it's time to dust off the digital cobwebs and inject some pizzazz into your online presence!
How to create graphics showing the results of your eco actions?
Ready to show off the fruits of your eco-labor? Let’s make those results shine with some fun and engaging graphics! Here’s how to get started:
First, figure out where you're starting from by gathering some key info:
Track Your Resources: How much water, electricity, heating, gas, or fuel do you use over a set period—like a month or year?
Measure Your Waste: How much waste do you generate? Break it down by type (plastic, glass, paper, etc.) and track it for a month or so.
Try this experiment: For a week jot down how many kilograms of waste you produce (by type). Multiply those weekly numbers by 52 to get an estimate for a year. This will give you a snapshot of your waste production. Additionally:
Check Your Appliance Efficiency: What’s the energy efficiency of your appliances? Look online or at the appliance's nameplate for details. Also, find out what percentage of your light bulbs are at least class A for energy efficiency.
Water Use Info: Check how much water your taps, showers, toilets, and other fixtures use. You can usually find this info in the user manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
Water-Saving Tools: Do you have any water-saving devices like flow restrictors or efficient irrigation systems? Note them down!
Other Eco-Friendly Solutions: List any other green practices you’re using and figure out how much they save in resources.
With this info in hand, you’ll be ready to create graphics that truly reflect your eco-efforts and make a big impact!
So, what's next?
Now that you’ve got a handle on your resource usage, it’s time to dive into some fun comparisons and analysis. If you’re already rocking the most resource-efficient gear, let’s turn that into a showstopper!
Example: Just upgraded to a showerhead with a built-in flow restrictor, cutting your water flow from 12 liters/min to 6 liters/min? Here’s how you can flaunt those savings:
Your new showerhead cuts water usage by 50%. A five-minute shower now uses about 30 liters, down from 60 liters with the old one. That’s a whopping 30 liters saved per shower!
Make your comparisons pop with vivid imagery that sparks your guests’ imaginations. You know your audience best, so choose comparisons that will resonate with them, whether it’s straightforward facts, industry-specific comparisons, or a sprinkle of humor.
For instance:
“30 liters of water is like flushing a modern toilet (with a 6-liter tank) about five times.”
“It’s equivalent to carrying six five-liter water jugs or brewing 15 two-liter pitchers of tea.”
Or for the beer lovers: “30 liters of water is enough to drown ten six-packs of canned beer!”
With these fun comparisons, you’ll make your resource savings memorable!
Last, but not least
If you're already on the green path, we also encourage you to share your little victories regularly - just make sure to keep it real. Being cautious can shield you from unnecessary skepticism.
But fear not! There's bound to be a bunch of eco-cheerleaders among your crowd, rooting for you and maybe even throwing in some cool ideas!
Where to whip up some cool graphics?
For a simple touch, good ol' Microsoft Word will do the trick.
For fancier stuff, check out tools like Canva or Piktochart.
We've even whipped up some snazzy templates with suggested messages. Just fill in your own numbers or get creative and make your own! Remember, some of these messages can even jazz up your place (if you're into that), but they're also great for online vibes.
We're crossing our fingers that all these tips and templates will make it a breeze for you to start measuring your eco-impact and taking steps to save the planet. And hey, your guests will probably think you're pretty cool too!
Think about joining our eco-certification adventure for accommodation hosts - Responsible Travel Program by Slowhop. By filling out the form, you'll gather a bunch of data you can use to spice up your eco-talk. Check out our exemplary report.
