Eco-Hostels
From Hostel Wiki
This page contains some ideas for making hostels more environmentally friendly. If you have ideas or tips, click the "edit" tab at the top of the page to make changes.
Making Hostels Environmentally Friendly
See also the UK's Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) criteria and the YHA India charter, as well as NorCalhostels.org for more ideas.
Recycling
Over 70% of our communal garbage is recyclable. Encouraging your guests using selective bins not only eco-friendly but saves you money as well. The less garbage you have, the less you have to pay for it's removal.(Free selective stations vs. paid garbage tax)
You can separate the following garbage very easily:
- Paper
Organic material but recycling paper saves forests.
- Plastic
This is the biggest amount of garbage as the most used packing/storing material. If dumped, it takes over 100,000 years to dissolve. Easily recyclable.
- Glass (colored/white)
Same as plastic, easily recyclable but takes long time to dissolve.
- Organic
If possible to process it by yourself, composted organic garbage could be a perfect costless fertilizer.
- Toxic waste
Batteries, medicines, electronics, other dangerous materials which could poison the nature if dumped.
- Uncategorized
This is the real garbage, which is none of above. Usually too complicated to select as it contains plenty different materials. This is the least of your communal garbage.
Public Transportation
- encouraging and facilitating the use of public transportation
Furniture
- furniture and fittings made entirely from recycled materials
Composting
- composting food scraps
- add ideas and tips for how to compost
Toilets
Low Flush Toilets
- Terry Love reviews low flush toilets: http://www.terrylove.com/crtoilet.htm
Composting Toilets
Recycled Toilet Paper
- If possible, choose recycled post-consumer waste toilet paper
Faucets
- water saving faucets and showerheads
- rainwater harvesting system to supply water to toilets
- Greywater system
Water-saving faucets (timed shut-off) don't help if the faucet is constantly leaking.
Paper Usage
- post-consumer recycled paper for the office and front desk
- reduce printouts from the computer
- use scrap paper when possible by reusing paper before throwing it away
Reduction of Chemical Usage
- use non-toxic cleaning chemicals
- bug prevention instead of pest control (e.g., no food scraps in the rooms to attract cockroaches)
- consider putting dish soap in a spray bottle to reduce soap usage.
See also this list of products for hotels said to be eco-friendly: http://www.greenhotels.com/appvvend.php
Electricity Conservation
- electricity-saving lightbulbs
- ceiling fans are better than floor fans, which are both better than air conditioners -- alternatively, build in a way that creates natural ventilation
- roof garden rich in shrubbery to provide extra insulation
- Passive house technology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_house
- Motion sensors to turn off lights and heating when guests are not around
- Reclaim heat from wastewater
Alternative Energy
Solar Power
- solar power for hot water and/or electricity
- ideas: http://www.siliconsolar.com/solar-spot-lights.html
Wind Power
- windpower to generate electricity for the hotel
- ideas: http://www.windenergy.com/
Geothermal Power
- ideas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_heating
- add ideas here
Food & Water Consumption
- The forwarding of all unused non-perishable food to charities or food banks
- encouraging guests to fill their water bottles at the tap instead of buying a lot of plastic water bottles (which are often just tap water)
Organic Farms
- organic farm on property
Eco Friendly Construction
- recycled glass windows
- doormats made out of recycled tires
Green Hostels
- Hostels ecolabeled with Green Key in Denmark. The hostel in Ribe is also ecolabeled with Best Green Hotels [1]
Related Links:
Here are some discussion threads about green hostels from the Hostel forum:
