It’s a modern-day problem, but one that can annoy even the most seasoned traveller -arriving at short-stay accommodation to find rubbish bins already full, with collection up to a week away.

The popularity of short-stay accommodation has exploded in Australia in recent years, with a University of Sydney report finding there were more than 174,000 Airbnb listings across Australia as of December 2024.

The issue of rubbish isn’t confined to guest complaints, with waste management a recurring theme in community and neighbour concerns, and often a factor in local government planning and regulation. 

Director of Australian tech company Matter, Len Luxford, says for too long getting rid of rubbish has been treated as an after-thought, and dismissed as always ‘someone else’s problem’.

“Guests think they’re doing the right thing by putting the full bins out, but the next arrivals suddenly have nowhere to dispose of their rubbish until after collection day – and they may not even know when that is.”

“Hosts believe they’re doing the right thing in supplying bins and sending in the cleaners, but rely on local government schedules for collection, even if bins are full well in advance. There’s also no way of knowing if collection has been missed.”

“The local community is then impacted by overflowing bins or waste being dumped in neighbouring bins, or even worse, placed in areas where it doesn’t belong.”

Mr Luxford says advancements in waste collection technology presents an opportunity to rethink waste management in the sector – removing a one-size-fits all approach and ensuring collection is tailored to specific needs.

“Sensor-technology allows fill-levels to be monitored in real time and by location, flagging when a bin is reaching capacity or is over-filled. It means collection can be adjusted by need, rather than set to a rigid schedule.”

“Hosts are then able to make evidence-based decisions around collecting waste sooner, to avoid complaints from future guests and neighbours, and potentially avoid breaching local government regulations.”

“It’s beneficial for the council too, as sensors can be fitted to local bins and identify outlier events, such as bins filling unusually fast in areas near short-stay accommodation.”

Mr Luxford says the technology also offers peace of mind around proof of service, as the sensor detects and records when a collection has, or hasn’t, taken place.

“It’s no longer a case of he-said-she-said, hosts have access to time-stamped data showing when a collection took place. This is particularly valuable for hosts who are paying for extra waste collection and cleaning or living in a different town or state.”

 

Matter Director Len Luxford says sensor technology offers a range of benefits to short-stay accommodation;

• Improved experience for guests, no longer dealing with full bins on arrival or having to find alternative arrangements for rubbish during their stay.

• Improved community amenity through a reduction in rubbish-related complaints or over-flow incidents.

• Transparent complaint resolution with hosts having access to accurate, independent information supporting their efforts in complying with waste management requirements.

• Proof of service for hosts, ensuring extra collection or cleaning contracts are adhered to.

Mr Luxford says the technology empowers accommodation hosts to take control of waste management.

“They’re no longer having to rely on only council collection – having accurate data means they can make informed decisions about waste management, and in turn improve the service and experience being offered to guests.”