By: Joanna Rentz
While many hotels have been trying to up their sustainability game over the past few years, the majority of these massive travel hubs still leave a large ecological footprint. For the earth-conscious traveler, staying at hotels often contradict their eco-friendly principals. Enter Airbnb. The far-reaching company offers sustainable rentals for guests who are mindful of the environment, and also want an authentic experience. Endless, beautiful accommodations give travelers countless options to select from, ranging from ocean-front luxe homes to dreamy tropical tree houses. Check out these five dreamy eco-friendly homes you can rent on Airbnb.
Secluded Intown Treehouse
Photo: Lindsay Appel courtesy of Airbnb
Named Airbnb's #1 "most wished for listing worldwide" in 2016 and 2017, this dreamy treehouse in Atlanta will leave you feeling inspired, rested, and one with nature. The Secluded Intown Treehouse has three beautiful rooms - each huddled in the trees - and are connected by a rope bridge. The sitting room is chock full of antique artifacts and comfy couches, while a balcony overlooks the sea of trees. The linens in the bedroom are 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton, pure linen, and are chemical and synthetic free. Once you peel yourself off of the world’s comfiest bed, head to the hammock room where you will find a deck wrapped around a 165-year-old Southern shortleaf pine - perfect for meditating, reading, and bird-watching.
Off-Grid itHouse
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Located in the secluded valley of Pioneertown in the expansive California high desert, the Off-Grid itHouse combines architectural intelligence with green design. It is 100% off-grid (purposefully no internet or TV) -- energy and hot water are powered by solar panels. The itHouse is the prototype of 10 other IT homes, all of which promote green principals supporting the use of renewable resources. They focus on creating the least amount of disturbance to the surrounding landscape, leaving a smaller footprint, and living simply and minimally.
Unique Cobb Cottage
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
The Unique Cobb Cottage on Mayne Island is a hand-sculpted cozy abode made of local, sustainable, naturally sourced materials. Just a ferry ride away off of the coast of British Columbia, the cottage's hosts offer free pick up and drop off so your car can remain on the mainland. (A community bus is also available for easy transportation.) Enjoy your time on the island by exploring the beautiful acreage of rolling pastures, gardens, and grazing sheep.
Hideout Bali: Eco Bamboo Home
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Experience everything nature has to offer at Hideout Bali, an eco-bamboo home nestled in the mountains of Gunung Agung volcano near Selat. This two-story getaway is a genuine Bali experience. Wake to the sound of wildlife, savor local seasonal fruits, and cool down in the river that runs alongside the home. Internet access is weak to unavailable, so be ready to disconnect from day-to-day stresses and bask in Balinese beauty.
Sustainable Catskills A-Frame
Photo: Ryan Resatka courtesy of Airbnb
This two bedroom Sustainable Catskills A-Frame in the town of Kerhonkson is off the grid and solar powered. Perfect for a weekend escape, the home offers modern amenities including a chef's kitchen, soaking tubs, and an open floor plan great for entertaining. Outside, you will find a fire pit along with a bbq grill, picnic table, and screened-in gazebo. Literally planted in the middle of the woods, this upstate A-frame is built on two acres, has a spring fed pond and towering trees for as far as the eye can see.
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What is Organic Cotton?
By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
