YHA Sydney Harbour Groups

YHA Sydney Harbour is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and being a responsible community member through a mix of heritage conservation and environmental sustainable practices and services. Initiatives include:

Sustainability at YHA Sydney Harbour

Initiatives include:

Energy/Greenhouse gas reduction:

• 30KW Photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the property and Education centre in 2016 (partly funded by the YHA Sustainability Fund)
• Solar hot water panels
• Gas powered generator
• Restricted air-conditioning (AC) controlled by reed switches on windows and temperature setting by staff. 
• Key-card operated power saving devices in all bedrooms controlling lights and AC. 
• Motion and sensor controlled lighting. 
• Low energy light bulbs used throughout property plus abundant natural lighting. 
• Bike storage and active promotion of public transport options - we have no car parking. 

As a result of this property's energy saving measures, guests at YHA Sydney Harbour use approximately 27% less electricity and 44% less gas per night than those at YHAs other Sydney CBD properties.

Waste minimisation:

• Each room has dual bins for recycling and other waste.
• Recycling, organic waste and general rubbish bins in guest kitchen. 
• Recycling of paper, glass, plastic, aluminium, batteries, light bulbs, toner cartridges and clothes (donated to charities). 
• Swap shelves for guests to leave things they don’t want. Free food shelves in kitchen. 
• Biodegradable cleaning products.
• Sale of refillable water bottles- we don’t sell bottled water. 

Water saving measures:

• 40,000 litre rain water tank used to flush toilets.
• 40,000 litre storm water detention tank. 
• All taps are 5-star WELS and showers are 3-star WELS rated. 
• Dual flush 3L/4.5L toilets, waterless urinals, front loader washing machines. 
• Signage encouraging guests to take shorter showers, turn off taps while brushing teeth, report leaks etc. 

As a result of this property's water saving measures, guests at YHA Sydney Harbour use approximately 54% less water per night than those at YHAs other Sydney CBD properties.

Indoor environmental quality measures:

• Careful selection of environmentally accredited materials such as low formaldehyde laminex, recycled rubber flooring, natural wool carpet, pinboards made from 100% recycled PET, and rubbish bins from recyclable plastic.
• Building design with open walkways and central voids for natural light and ventilation. 
• Operable windows with shade louvers that slide across the windows allow for natural ventilation and shading without energy use. 
• Smoking only permitted on roof terrace and education centre balcony.  

Social Sustainability:

• The Big Dig Archaeology Education centre providing school children the opportunity to learn about the archaeology of The Big Dig site and Sydney’s history 
• Heritage interpretation of The Big Dig site, Australia’s largest urban archaeology area 
• Sinking fund generated from a percentage of each guests overnight fee to provide for the ongoing conservation, interpretation and education of The Big Dig site. 
• Donations to The Smith family funded by guest contributions 
• Regular hostel activities to encourage guest interaction