Booking group accommodation? Think green!
REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS
The decade from 2010-2019 is set to go down as the hottest on record by far. Every night you spend in accommodation creates an average of 9kg of carbon emissions. Multiply this by how many people are on your group trip, and you’re looking at a significant amount of nastiness being released into the atmosphere.
In an effort to reduce these numbers, The Sustainable Hostels Fund has helped install solar hot water systems at Adelaide Central YHA, Byron Bay YHA, Cairns Central YHA, Grampians Eco Lodge YHA, as well as solar power in Alice Springs YHA and Perth City YHA (now closed). The latter's carbon emissions were reduced by more than 40 tonnes a year.
Similarly, Sydney Harbour YHA installed a 30kW photovoltaic solar system to help power the property. The solar panels saved almost four tonnes of carbon emissions within a month of being switched on.
Most YHA properties use low energy light bulbs and LED lighting is now also being installed in several properties. Key card activated lighting and air-conditioning is present in several large city hostels with motion and sensor lighting commonplace in other properties.
When you stay with YHA, you can rest easy knowing you are helping us support these initiatives that have made a huge difference in a short space of time.
WATER IS LIFE
Given that 71% of our world is covered in water and it's vital to our survival; we've put a significant amount of water conservation efforts in place across our network.
3 – 5 star rated water-saving tap ware and showers are commonplace in YHAs. Several properties use rainwater tanks to water gardens and flush toilets. Dual flush toilets are installed in most of our properties. We use front loader washing machines, which use far less water than top loaders. Drought-resistant gardens are featured in many of our locations. All our properties have signage in bathrooms, encouraging guests to minimise water usage.
With parts of Australia suffering drought regularly, YHA is committed to reducing water waste across our network to conserve our most precious resource to survival.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Paper, cardboard, glass bottles, plastics, aluminium and steel cans are all collected for recycling at YHAs. Many properties will also collect your batteries and unwanted clothing for recycling. Several properties have shelves for unwanted items for guests to leave for another guest to use. Some properties collect organic waste for composting or worm farms.
We use only biodegradable cleaning products and sell refillable water bottles, after banning the sale of plastic water bottles in 2014. You can read more about this initiative here.
Treasure hunt
Keep an eye out for stickers in the shape of a light bulb, a water drop, the recycling symbol and a world globe whilst staying with us, as they’re letting you know when you’re actively aiding us in our energy reducing, water saving, recycling or social sustainability efforts. They’re hidden all around our hostels, and who doesn’t love a bit of interactive learning?
Interested in travelling with your group? We have a great range of group accommodation across the country. Click here to find out more!
