Eco-friendly SOPs for Hostels

Eco-friendly SOPs for Hostels

Sustainable travel has never been more popular, nor more important, than it is today. Traveling green, using certain practices while traveling, has become something that backpackers and hostel goers have embraced as climate change becomes more of a topic of conversation.

Hostels, with their minimalistic approach toward traveling, using communal spaces and shared amenities to cut down on things like space, electricity, and, in some cases, water, are an optimal option for travelers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Organizations like Hostelworld have also begun to recognize hostels around the globe for their environmental efforts, and Longboard Paradise Surf Club in Rio de Janeiro recently won a Hoscar for being the Eco Warrior.

For hostel owners anywhere, certain practices can be taken to reduce the carbon footprint of their hostel. From training their staff to educating guests and placing well-thought-out, articulate house rules and standard operating procedures around the hostel, owners can make their own imprint on the environment. Hostels like Longboard Paradise Surf Club, The Yard Hostel in Bangkok, and Sleepwell in Belgium are just a few hostels around the globe that have made concerted efforts to become eco-friendly, and they can be a useful reference for other owners looking to adopt eco-friendly SOPs.

Here is a list of different eco-friendly SOPs for hostels to implement.

• Selective sorting in the kitchen. By placing recycling bins, compost containers, and normal trash cans with clear labeling, one can go a long way in filtering waste at a hostel. Some travelers might not be familiar with composting. Still, by simply having compost bins available, with pictures or written instructions, a hostel can reduce not only the amount of compostable material that ends up in landfills, but it can also save money on trash bags in the process. The same goes for recycling. Sometimes the simple things can make a big difference.
• Using low-energy LED lights around the hostel can save on money on electricity while also reducing the carbon footprint of a business. High-energy lightbulbs may also contain toxic or harmful chemicals like mercury, and many of their variations are not recyclable. It also helps that LED lights are more durable and can be used in different climates and withstand harsher weather. 
• Fitting showers and taps with aerators and push-buttons can make a big difference. Wasting water is one of the most common blunders in hostels. Guests might not mean to, but they can easily waste gallons of water each day by not being thoughtful when showering, brushing their teeth, washing their dishes, and flushing the toilets. Hostel guests average about 2.5 pounds of waste per day. Inserting push-buttons and aerators can help prevent water waste by limiting how much water is distributed at once. Investing in these devices might cost money up front, but they can go a long way in saving down the road.
• Going solar is smart and economical. With advances in technology, going solar has never been easier. Placing solar panels in south-facing locations is the best way to maximize solar intake. If that's not possible, inserting panels on the top of roofs is another effective way to collect solar energy. There are many different options when it comes to purchasing solar panels and other equipment, and it is easy to install. 
• Using natural products like natural fiber bedding is one approach to reducing one's carbon footprint. Whether it's using wool, linen, organic cotton, or regenerative fibers, there are several options when it comes to using natural fiber bedding in hostels. Additionally, using natural soaps and hypoallergenic laundry products in the hostel can leave a positive impression on your guests, and they're environmentally friendly.