The hostel has put a sustainability strategy in place to document and measure progress. They’re prioritising environmental, social, and cultural best practices.
There are four pillars within the Staircase to Sustainability. In order to reach level 2 the hostel has achieved everything outlined in level 1, and the following criteria:
Sustainable Management
They compile details and data on their sustainability efforts, provide staff with training and implement sustainability-related feedback from guests.
- Legal compliance
Mandatory applicable legal documents are available upon request.
- Customer experience
The Hostel has started to document the feedback that they received on sustainability as well as any action taken as follow up.
- Information and interpretation
Staff are actively informed and trained about the natural and cultural heritage of the local area, including behaviour at sensitive sites.
- Sustainability management system
The Hostel can show that they have started using this system and collecting data. This can be either using the data collection tool provided by Hostelworld or an internal data management system. The Hostel also has a clear filing system for proof of sustainability actions.
- Staff Engagement
The Hostel can demonstrate staff engagement with these. This may include records of staff training and attendance to meetings, including a defined frequency for refresher guidance and training.
Socio-Economic Impact
They actively support local businesses and community groups and provide opportunities for guests to support them too.
- Community Support
Where they are available the Hostel supports at least one community group.
- Fair & Equal Employment
The Hostel monitors the percentage of their workforce across each area to ensure that a non-discriminatory working environment is maintained. This includes reviewing any opportunities to hire and progress in any given area including local employment.
- Local Purchasing
The Hostel measures the number of local and/or fairtrade suppliers that are used. At least two local and/or fairtrade suppliers are used.
- Local Entrepreneurs
Where they are available, local entrepreneurs are given opportunities to use the Hostel's space and guests to develop and sell products and/or services.
- Exploitation and harassment
The Hostel can show this policy upon request.
- Decent Work
The Hostel can show this policy upon request.
Cultural Impact
The cultural information they give guests is displayed at the hostel or in digital communications.
- Cultural interactions
The Hostel can show that they provide this information in some form, such as digital format (app, QR codes, social media etc.) or physical format (maps, signs, displays etc.)
Environmental Impact
The hostel has implemented strategies to improve their environmental efforts and conserve the biodiversity of their surroundings, helping customers have a more sustainable stay.
- Environmentally preferable purchasing
The Hostel has begun to source environmentally friendly products, this may include soap, shampoo, cleaning products, laundry products, and dishwashing products etc. This must be confirmed by the supplier or on the label of the product.
- Efficient purchasing
The Hostel has reviewed their suppliers and begun sourcing products from suppliers with returnable or recyclable packaging.
The Hostel has identified at least one area of the Hostel where they can reduce or eliminate plastic (e.g., rooms / bathrooms / service areas / logistics /cleaning services etc.)
- Energy conservation
The Hostel measures their energy consumption at least annually. The Hostel can measure this using their own data management system or the data collection tool provided by Hostelworld.
- Waste-water
The Hostel has a list of sources of waste-water from their building and has implemented strategies to reduce, reuse or recycle the water where possible. Where this is not possible, the Hostel ensures the water is treated properly and released safely.
- Solid waste
The Hostel measures the amount of solid waste disposed, including food waste, measured by type. The Hostel measures the amount of plastic that is reused at their Hostel.
- Biodiversity conservation
The Hostel makes efforts to protect and increase biodiversity value in the area, this includes reducing disturbance of natural ecosystems where possible in Hostel activities or renovation and ensuring green or blue spaces are created where possible. This may include small practices, such as: bird boxes, bee boxes, hedgerows, indoor and outdoor plants, purchasing of organic fruit and vegetables, planting trees in the area, investment in biodiversity projects.
- Invasive species
Where the Hostel conducts planting onsite or in their area, they only use native species.
- Wildlife interactions
The Hostel's activities do not negatively impact any free roaming wildlife. If this is a possibility, the Hostel has signs and guidelines to educate guests.