HI USA Environmental Standards

Each of our properties across the country follows these environmental standards:

Energy

• Hostels must replace burned out incandescent light bulbs with CFL, LED, or better light bulbs.
• Hostels have in place a purchasing policy for replacement of energy-consuming equipment (e.g. air conditioners) that requires the selection of ENERGY STAR models

Water

• Hostels have in place a linen and towel conservation program that eliminates daily sheet and towel service, unless by guest request.
• Hostels use faucet aerators that consume no more than 2.2 gallons per minute at a flowing water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch.
• Hostels use shower heads that consume no more than 2.5 gallons per minute at a flowing water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch.
• Hostels install tank toilets with 1.28 gallons per flush and/or a dual flush handle or non-tank (flush-o-meter) toilets with a dual flush handle.
• Hostels install urinals with 0.5 gallons per flush or less including waterless urinals.

Waste and Materials

• Hostels maintain a recycling program for guests and staff that ensures recycling of paper, cardboard, paperboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum. In addition to providing in-hostel containers, the hostel ensures waste is separated and hauled appropriately.
• Hostels maintain a recycling program for staff that ensures recycling of toner cartridges, rechargeable and heavy batteries, bulk waste, and safe disposal of hazardous/universal wastes and fluorescent lamps.
• Hostels donate items deemed no longer usable but still carrying value to another hostel, shelter, non-profit, place of worship, consignment business or other suitable recipient.
• Hostels eliminate the use of disposable cups, dishes, and cutlery for regular day-to-day operations.
• Hostels reduce and control the volume of disposable, one-time use products given to guests, including most notably soap and shampoo bottles and other personal care products.

Purchasing

• Hostels purchase janitorial paper (toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue) made of 30% recycled content or better (post-consumer waste preferred).
• Hostels purchase copier paper and other office paper products (folders, envelopes, and notepads) made of 30% recycled content (post-consumer waste preferred) or better.
• Hostels purchase Green Seal, UL Eco Logo, Safer Choice (or equivalent) labeled cleaning products. Products are preferably purchased in concentrate and diluted on-site to reduce packaging use.

Communication and Education

• Hostels display information on public transit options between the hostel and nearby sights, destinations, and transportation connections.
• Hostels display signage that informs guests of the specific environmental commitments of the hostel and/or assists guests in contributing to the environmental commitment of the evaluated hostel.