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Revision as of 21:00, 24 September 2010
Introduction
This page provides an overview of Eco-Hostels in the United States. While comparatively popular worldwide, eco-hostels are a somewhat new level of accommodation in the United States, and we have only been able to identify six of them.
What is an Eco-Hostel?
Combining the hallmarks of "hostel" style lodging -- a low price, self-catering, overnight stay, and usually a dormitory-style option for sleeping -- with a low energy-footprint lifestyle, eco-hostels can provide an affordable and relatively "green" place to stay away from home.
Eco-tourism generally relies on the integrity of the local environment to attract visitors. It makes good ecological sense and good business sense for hospitality operations serving the eco-tourism sector to help protect and educate about their local environment and to demonstrate low-impact lifestyles. The hospitality industry is generally not highly regulated on environmental issues, so current efforts are typically being undertaken by relatively small number of ecologically conscious owners and operators who serve as a demonstration of what the industry could look like.
[1]
Hostelling International (HI) lays out 7 areas of concern in its Environmental Charter, summarized here, and these can serve as a useful basis for defining the traits of an Eco-Hostel.
1) Energy Conservation: Use as little as possible.
2) Recycling: Recycle everything economically feasible.
3) Pollution: Minimize it.
4) Transport: Encourage public and low-carbon transport.
5) Nature: Support local parks and reserves and treat own land ecologically.
6) Environmental Education: Encourage and aid in promoting green living and awareness.
7) Consumption: Reduce, re-use, localize.
What are the benefits of staying at an eco-hostel (for me and for the planet)?
- Staying at an eco-hostel can help reduce your energy and waste footprints while traveling! Use less energy. Use less water. Create less waste.
- Perhaps even more importantly, eco-hostels can provide a live-in demonstration of low-footprint green lifestyles and teach skills that apply to any home situation. As one green design review states, "In addition to sustainable building practices, it is the small and simple efforts taken by individuals to consciously reduce their carbon footprints that help make an impact." [2]
How do you start an eco-hostel in the US and why aren't there more?!?
Hilary's info
Where can I find an eco-hostel in the United States?
(For a general/international view of eco-hostels, see Eco-Hostels)
There are two basic types of eco-hostels in the US:
- Traditional hostels that are implementing "green" policies and procedures.
- Destination eco-hostels that are typically located in a more natural setting and have been built from the ground up to embody sound ecological practice in building design and accommodation style.
So far, we have only identified 5 existing hostels (and one under construction) in the US that fit one of these two categories. These are compared and linked in the table below.
Hostels Compared by Category
(see Help:Tables)
| Name | Location | Waste* | Waste reduction policies | Construction | Green Design/Construction | Energy* | Energy use policies | Water* | Water use policies | Land Use* | Land policies | Eco-Education* | Eco-Educational Activities | Price **
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hedonesia | Pahoa, HI | 5 | - Recycling - Compost |
4 | -Reused/Renewable - Guava, bamboo, recycled tent |
3 | -Grid-tied geothermal electric | 2 | Outdoor "pee-garden" | 5 | - Organic food garden - Tropical garden |
3 | - Buildings are green demonstrations | $15 - $25+ (Work-trade available) |
| The Farm | Summertown, TN | 4 | - Recycling |
4 | - Natural/Recycled - Strawbale, Cob |
5 | - Solar PV - Solar hot water - CFL/LED lighting |
4 | - Rainwater harvesting - Drip irrigation |
5 | - Food gardening - Swales |
5 | - Permaculture, natural building and eco-skills retreats - Guided nature walks/mushrooming |
$12+ (Work exchange available) |
| Hostelling Intl. - Boston | Boston, MA
|
4 | - Recycling - Flip-flop donation program - Green cleaning |
2 | - Recycled carpet - Low VOC paint |
2 | -CFLs - Efficient appliances |
1 | Low-flow plumbing | 0 | Urban | 1 | Motivational signs for green habits | $40+ |
| Hostelling Intl. – DC | Washington, DC | 3 | - Recycling - Recycled carpet - Purchase recycled paper goods |
2 | -Low VOC paint & carpet | 2 | - Energy-star certified - CFLs - Linen re-use |
3 | - Award winning - Low-flow timer faucets - Linen re-use |
0 | Urban | 2 | Environmental documentaries shown | $35+ |
| Portland Hawthorne Hostel | Portland, OR | 1 | - Recycling | 1 | - Living roof | 0 | - | 2 | - Rainwater harvesting / Living roof | 0 | Urban | 0 | - | $20+ |
| Humboldt Bay Ecohostel | Samoa, Humboldt Co., CA | 4 | - Recycling - Reused/Recycled building materials |
3 | - Living roof - Recycled materials - Experimental eco-cottages |
4 | - Solar PV - Efficient appliances - On-demand water heating |
4 | - Greywater pond - Composting toilets |
3 | - Greywater pond - Participatory Organic garden |
3 | - Demonstrates green building - Visible water/energy use monitors |
-TBA/Cheap |
* Scale is 0 to 5, with 5 being most eco.
**Price indicated is for cheapest single accommodations: dorm, hammock, tent-site, etc.