rate your hostel
This hostel eco-rating system is designed as a guide to motivate us to do better, and to pressure our local authorities for more eco-friendly services. Add up your points and divide by 5. This will give you your eco-rating. One star=good, two stars=above average, three stars=excellent.
Energy:
Give yourself one point:
if some efforts are made to conserve electrical use through simple checks and educating of staff and guests.
two points:
if you are a bit more rigorous by using special energy-star, A-rated appliances, educate your guests about power usage, use only flourescent or energy-saving lightbulbs, use only rechargeable batteries
three points:
if you feature automatic light sensors, generate electricity through renewable resources: hydro, biomass, solar or wind power, and a written energy-saving initiative available to staff and guests.
Water
Give yourself one point:
ifyou generally limit water usage, by limiting the use of laundry per guest (no towels unless asked for), asking guests to take a five minute shower, and limit heavy chemicals in cleaning and laundering.
two points:
if you have water saving showerheads and faucets, low flow toilets, and water-saving appliances.
three points:
if you have rainwater collectors for low-flush toilets and landscaping, greywater recycling, and a written water-saving initiative accessible to staff and guests.
Waste Management
Give yourself one point:
if your hostel staff and guests take part in trash separation, and recycling. There is staff awareness to reduce the use of paper and and plastic.
two points:
if there is an effort to pre-cycle by choosing recycled products (toilet and office papers) and less packaging, a concerted effort to minimize brochures, maps and other marketing materials and switching to making the hostel website more effective and mobile with print-ready materials. Guests can contribute to a clothes/books/map exchange.
three points :
if your hostel features a compost and garden (this is not applicable in many city hostels), reupholsters and repairs in favor of buying new, there is a written waste initiative favoring items that are either biodegradable or easily recyclable.
Eco public relations
Give yourself one point:
if you educate your staff about eco actions such as taking part in charity work or donating sheets, towels, mattresses, etc. to those in need
two points:
if your hostel systematically replaces appliances and fixtures for more environmentally friendly items, and takes part physically or monetarily in a local or international eco-friendly campaign.
three points:
if the hostel creates new activities that benefit the local community, donates a portion of its earnings towards local and international earth-friendly campaigns, and educates guests on how they can be more earth conscious. All PR materials will feature the hostel’s commitment to local and international projects.
Local environment
Give yourself one point:
if you provide information to your guests about how to responsibly enjoy the area, with information about public transport and other earth friendly means of getting around (biking, walking, hiking.etc)
two points:
if there is a preference in hiring local staff, cooperating with local businesses and suppliers, buying seasonal produce from local growers, and information made available about culturally important events happening in the town or nearby.
three points:
if the hostel has a written initiative to keep the hostel “local” while recognizing the importance of creating a home for international guests. The hostel posts information about commonly used words and phrases, and promotes understanding by inviting guests to local actions or cultural events.