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Are you dreaming of a holiday that is good for the environment and doesn’t break the bank?
Hostels, bunkhouses and outdoor centres across the UK are doing their best for the environment in lots of different ways.
Learn about their journeys to net zero carbon and a more sustainable future here.
If one catches your eye, why not enquire about a stay, and embark on your own eco-friendly adventure?
Why are hostels and bunkhouses the eco-friendly choice?
By their nature, holidays in hostels and bunkhouses have a low C02 footprint. This is because:
– The shared aspects of the accommodation mean more people are making use of the same resources, which makes the accommodation more sustainable. There are shared lounges, kitchens and gardens, and some guests choose to stay in shared dormitory-style sleeping rooms, although private rooms are also available. This reduces the energy that is put into furnishing and heating the whole hostel.
-The self-catering facilities allow you to source your food locally, a great way to celebrate the region you are visiting.
-The outdoorsy nature of independent hostels means the types of activities you will be enjoying while staying at a hostel tend to be low carbon. Rather than days out that produce a lot of waste such as shopping or eating out. At independent hostels, you are encouraged to enjoy environmentally friendly activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling.
If that is not explanation enough you can see the facts and figures in this  research.
Which eco-friendly hostels and bunkhouses go above and beyond?
-A quarter of the hostels and bunkhouses in the Independent Hostels UK network have a green ethos.
-Some hostels provide a Green Discount for people who arrive on foot or by public transport. This is a great way to encourage walkers, cyclists, and the use of public transport. You can find a list of these with their details on our Sustainable Travel page.
-Many of the hostels in our network create their own renewable energy on-site or use 100% renewable energy providers. For example, Houghton North Farm in Northumberland is now heated by a wood pellet biomass boiler and the electricity is supplied by their wind turbine.
-Many hostels have renovated their properties to become more efficient. For example, Elterwater Hostel in the Lake District has installed double glazing and thermal lined curtains to retain heat in their hostel.
-Eco-hostels know the importance of reusing, this is why the hostels in our network often communicate to share a surplus of items such as chairs or beds. Nothing in good condition gets thrown away in an eco-hostel!
-Some hostels provide bike rentals as an eco-friendly transportation method for the duration of your holiday. Like Old Brooder Bunkhouse in Suffolk.
-Hostels provide metal cutlery and ceramic plates in their self-catering kitchens. No need for single-use plastics here!