The hostel has started to introduce practices that generate positive social and environmental impact for their staff, local community and customers.
There are four pillars within the Staircase to Sustainability. In order to reach level 1 the hostel has achieved all of the following criteria:
There are four pillars within the Staircase to Sustainability. In order to reach level 1 the hostel has achieved all of the following criteria:
Sustainable Management
They comply with local legal requirements and have put processes in place to manage their sustainability goals.
- Legal compliance
The Hostel has a register of all legal requirements that apply to their business. These must include:
- Local environmental requirements;
- Health and safety requirements;
- Zoning requirements;
- Land, water and property rights;
- Any others that apply.
- Customer experience
Informal feedback on sustainability (such as word of mouth) is acknowledged and acted upon at the Hostel.
- Accurate promotion
All promotional materials and marketing materials are accurate. Any images or claims used in promotion are of actual experiences and facilities in the Hostel. Sustainability claims are based on actual performance. This extends to description or images used on any Online Travel Agency.
- Access for All
The Hostel provides information about their provisions regarding their building for all accessibility needs persons in their booking description. The Hostel meets all of the minimum local legal accessibility requirements.
- Information and interpretation
Information about the natural surroundings, local culture and cultural heritage is available from the staff at the Hostel (word of mouth, signs etc). Where relevant / if this is a sensitive site this includes guidelines about appropriate behaviour whilst visiting these sites.
- Sustainability management system
The Hostel has plans for meeting the following sustainability criteria and a way of measuring progress towards these (building a Sustainability Management System - systematic approach that provides guidelines for an organization to evaluate, manage, and improve sustainability)
- Staff Engagement
Guidelines and training for how to meet the sustainability criteria are provided to all staff.
Socio-Economic Impact
They offer fair employment to their community and are taking steps to contribute to local livelihoods.
- Fair & Equal Employment
The Hostel operates an equal opportunity policy including hiring across gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability and race. This extends to offering employment into the local community. An equal employment policy must be available upon request.
- Local Purchasing
The Hostel has reviewed their suppliers and begun discussing the possibility of sourcing local and/or fairtrade suppliers.
- Exploitation and harassment
There is a policy against any form of exploitation and harassment.
- Decent Work
The Hostel has designed a policy to ensure all mandatory and applicable labour rights are respected and a safe working environment is provided for employees. This policy is aligned to all legal requirements and includes that employees are paid at least a living wage.
- Community Services
The Hostel's operations do not impact local access to basic services such as food, water, energy, healthcare or sanitation. The Hostel has a feedback system in place with the local community to ensure any issues can be raised and addressed.
- Local Livelihoods
The Hostel's operations do not impact local access to livelihoods, including land and water use, rights of way, transport and housing. The Hostel has a feedback system in place with the local community to ensure any issues can be raised and addressed.
Cultural Impact
They’re respectful of cultural heritage and give guests relevant information to ensure they are too.
- Cultural interactions
The Hostel provides information to employees and guests about appropriate behaviour while visiting the local area (can be verbal). [This may include indigenous communities and culturally, historically, or environmentally sensitive sites]
- Protecting cultural heritage
The Hostel's operations do not prevent local communities from accessing local historical/ archaeological/ cultural/ spiritual sites.
- Presenting cultural and heritage
Where a Hostel incorporates traditional or contemporary culture, the intellectual property rights or necessary permissions of the local community have been obtained.
- Artefacts
The Hostel does not sell, trade or display historically and archaeological artefacts. If the Hostel does, they comply with local and international law.
Environmental Impact
The hostel has put measures in place to reduce their environmental impact and provides guests with information to minimise theirs.
- Energy conservation
The Hostel has reviewed their energy consumption by type in the last 2 years.
The Hostel has taken measures to minimise overall consumption. This must include two of the below:
- Lights have timers/sensors that automatically switch them off in hallways, washrooms, toilets and outdoor areas.
- Using signs / penalties to encourage guests to switch off appliances and lights and also encouraging this at check in.
- Heating/cooling is individually controllable in the rooms.
- The Hostel does not have air conditioning or if they do,
- At least 50% of the Hostel's air conditioning appliances have the highest energy efficiency level (label A+++)
- Water conservation
The Hostel makes efforts to reduce water consumption and ensure sustainable use. This must include two of the below:
- The Hostel has signs and guidelines to encourage guests to reduce consumption where possible.
- Linen and towels are only washed between guests or upon request from guests.
- Equipment is checked to ensure there are no leaks.
- The showers are controlled for water saving.
- The taps are controlled for water saving.
- The Hostel harvests rainwater and run-off where possible and reuses for cleaning or watering the garden.
- The Hostel has installed water saving devices, such as water efficient shower heads, leak detection strips, buffalo system bags.
- Greenhouse gas emissions
The Hostel takes actions to minimise their greenhouse gas emissions. This must include three of the below:
- The Hostel does not own vehicles and encourages use of public transport.
- The Hostel's owned vehicles are electric.
- The Hostel provides and encourages the purchase of vegetarian meals.
- Part or all of the Hostel's energy use comes from renewable resources (this includes electricity and fuels).
- Part of all the heating (including water heating) comes from renewable sources, such as solar.
- The Hostel offsets part or all of their CO2 emissions.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions are measured from all sources. This can be done using the Hostel's own data management system or the data collection tool provided by Hostelworld. "2. Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions are measured from all sources. This can be done using the Hostel's own data management system or the data collection tool provided by Hostelworld."
- Transport
The Hostel provides guidelines (verbal or documented) at reception and when checking in about public transport in the local area and encourages use of this.
- Solid waste
The Hostel has a waste management plan for recycling, reusing, composting or disposing of waste correctly. Any waste disposal is to an approved facility that has no negative impact on the environment.
- Harmful substances
There are no environmentally harmful substances used at the hostel. If there are any used, they are handled and disposed of appropriately and staff are trained in identifying and handling these.
- Animal welfare
The Hostel does not acquire, breed or hold any wildlife captive. Any housing and care of domestic wildlife meets high standards of welfare.
- Wildlife harvesting and trade
The Hostel does not harvest, consume, display, sell or trade wildlife species. If they do, it is part of a regulated activity that meets local and international law.