Essential tips for short-term rental owners during the busiest time of the year.
The holiday season in Big Bear brings packed calendars, excited guests, and fully booked Airbnbs — but it also brings a lot of trash. Between family gatherings, winter activities, gift packaging, and holiday meals, short-term rentals produce double or even triple the usual waste.
Overflowing bins aren’t just inconvenient — they can cost STR owners money, time, and guest satisfaction. The key to smooth holiday turnovers is planning ahead and preventing trash from piling up between stays.
Here’s how to do it effectively.
1. Holiday Guests Produce Significantly More Trash
Christmas wrapping, food scraps, drink containers, shipping boxes — all of it adds up fast.
A property that normally fills one bin can fill two (or more) during back-to-back bookings.
When trash piles up:
- Bins overflow
- Animals scatter garbage
- Driveways become messy
- Guests complain
Recognizing the seasonal increase in waste is the first step in preventing issues.
2. Don’t Rely on Guests to Roll Bins Out
During the holidays, guests:
- Forget
- Don’t know the pickup schedule
- Don’t want to deal with snow or cold
- Assume cleaning crews will handle it
Relying on guests almost always leads to missed pickups — especially when checkout and trash day don’t align.
Solution: Have a dedicated person or service roll bins out on the correct day, every week.
3. Schedule Mid-Stay or Between-Stay Trash Management
For fully booked December calendars, one pickup per week isn’t enough.
STR owners can prevent overflow by arranging:
- Mid-stay roll-outs (for long bookings)
- Extra trash pickups
- Between-stay bin checks
This ensures bins don’t sit full for days, even when guest turnover is tight.
4. Use a Professional Roll-Out Service for Winter Logistics
Big Bear winter conditions make trash management more complicated:
- Snow and ice block bins
- Early darkness makes it hard to see drop-off points
- Guests may park cars in front of bins
- Driveways become slick and dangerous
A professional service ensures:
- Bins get out on time
- They’re placed correctly
- They’re returned after pickup
- Snow and winter obstacles are handled safely
For out-of-town STR owners, this is a game changer.
5. Prevent Negative Guest Reviews Related to Trash
Nothing ruins a 5-star stay like:
❌ Arriving to full bins
❌ Having nowhere to put holiday waste
❌ Dealing with animals ripping bags open
❌ Smells near the front entrance
❌ Seeing trash scattered due to overflow
Cleanliness is one of the top review categories — and overflowing bins can drop ratings fast.
Taking trash management seriously protects your reputation all holiday season.
6. Plan Ahead for Heavy Holiday Booking Weeks
The best STR owners plan trash management ahead of time.
Before the season hits, you should:
- Confirm the trash pickup schedule
- Book a roll-out/ roll-back service
- Notify cleaners of proper trash procedures
- Add a friendly reminder inside your guest book
- Ensure bins are not cracked, frozen shut, or blocked
A little preparation goes a long way.
Final Thoughts: Your Guests Enjoy the Holiday — Your Property Should Too
The holiday season in Big Bear shouldn’t bring stress to STR owners. With the right trash management system, you can avoid overflowing bins, protect your property, and keep guests happy through every booking.