Airbnb has revolutionized the way the modern traveler moves through the world. Whether you’re a digital nomad who needs a tranquil spot and a fiberoptic internet connection or a casual sightseer on the lookout for a cozy room in a central location, Airbnb allows you to select from a long list of preferences so that you only scroll through listings that are optimal for you.
Despite these benefits, user Lindsey McCoy has found an important blind spot in Airbnb’s current list of amenities, preferences: a “green” filter for the sustainably-minded traveler.
McCoy composed a public letter to Airbnb that she posted online for others to sign in support. The letter calls on the company to add a “green” filter to its internal search engine so that travelers can find accommodations that observe a higher standard of sustainability. This would also allow for eco-minded hosts to promote the extra efforts they make to shrink their own carbon footprints.
For hosts who spend more money on sustainable products like toxin-free cleaning solutions or put the time and effort in to make sure that their property runs on clean energy and has recycling and composting systems in place, this filter would give them some well-deserved recognition.
Her initial letter to the company reads: “Airbnb set the industry standard early in the Covid crisis with cleaning protocols… we think that Airbnb has another opportunity to set the green standard that will meet the growing demand for more sustainable travel options.”
As sustainability becomes a critical factor across all industries, it’s not difficult to imagine that an international company such as Airbnb would be interested in making the green filter a reality. So far, McCoy has almost 1,000 signatures from all around the world, showing that many individuals believe that this is a viable solution that supports a more eco-conscious future.