US eco-hostels: Difference between revisions

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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]

What should be considered when planning an eco-hostel?

• Location: Regional differences can include climate, technology expenses, as well as labor expenses. Depending on the climate of the area, there may be different technologies needed, and the expense of running them can differ. The cost of labor for a green building project can differ as well, depending on if you are in an area where there are many contractors experienced with green building and if they will have competitive fees. (site reference HUD article)

• Cost: "Green building practices can increase up-front costs but may also provide long-term benefits, including financial, environmental, and health benefits." (reference quoted from HUD article.) Some energy efficient appliances and materials may cost the same as non-energy efficient appliances or materials, but this is not always the case. Often the technologies that conserve energy and resources are more expensive up front. However, over time the benefits increase, including possible health benefits from using materials that do not contain VOCs, and financial benefits from decreased water and energy bills due to efficient appliances.

Why aren't there more eco-hostels in the U.S.? (In our opinion...)

There are two reasons that come to my mind when I wonder why the U.S. does not have more eco-hostels. As I mentioned above, the up-front cost can be a deterrent to getting the project off the ground, as well as the extra planning that is necessary. Also, when most people are away from home and traveling, they are on vacation. People on vacation want to relax and not have to worry about going out to the organic garden to help gather food and make their own meals, or to try to figure out how to use a composting toilet. These activities are not involved in the typical idea of an American vacation. Again, this is pure speculation on my part.

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)

* Scale is 0 to 5, with 5 being most eco.
**Price indicated is for cheapest single accommodations: dorm, hammock, tent-site, etc.