Eco Key Chain via Shutterstock
By Diana Smith
When it came to finding a good hostel, it used to be that travelers were lucky if they could land in one that provided a warm shower. Fortunately, for the millennial traveler, in the last decade hostels have really stepped up their game. From themed hostels to breathtaking locations, these budget friendly accommodations have made big improvements. And adding to the list improvements are the ways that many hostels have become eco-friendly. With solar heating, recycling programs, and organic gardens, there’s a range of green hostels all over the world to choose from. Too many—we’re happy to report—to list all here. So here are just 10 eco-hostels that caught our eyes.
Bus Hostel – Reykjavík, Iceland
Eco Friendly Features: Handmade and fair-trade bunk beds, organic linens, non-toxic detergents and cleaning products, organic and fair-trade coffee, recycling, low energy lighting, and bikes provided for guest use.
Can Sala – Girona, Spain
Eco Friendly Features: Natural and sustainable materials were used to restore the facilities. Organic produce, a natural swimming pool, and a camping zone are also offered. Permaculture projects are underway to improve sustainability.
Eco Pampa Palermo – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Eco Friendly Features: Décor and furniture made from recycled materials, solar panels and solar collectors, energy saving light bulbs, insulated windows, recycling, composting, organic garden, and ecological computers that have been made with less plastic and consume less energy and produce less carbon emissions.
Enigmata Treehouse Ecolodge – Camiguin Island, Philippines
Eco Friendly Features: Water and electricity conservation, reduced CO2 emissions, recycled décor, and locally sourced food. Various workshops are also offered that seek to educate participants about the environment through art.
Grampians Eco YHA – Grampians, Australia
Eco Friendly Features: Soar panels, low energy lighting, rainwater collection, recycling, composting, organically grown produce, and free bike storage.
Gyreum Ecolodge – Sligo, Ireland
Eco Friendly Features: Main building made from scrap timber. Wind power energy, solar panels, composting, and an organic vegetable garden. Volunteer opportunities offered here too, so guests can give back while traveling.
High Street Hostel – Edinburgh, Scotland
Eco Friendly Features: Recycling and energy sourced from renewable non-nuclear supplies. The hostel also maintains a 186-acre woodland that absorbs more than the total of hostel’s CO2 emissions.
Lost & Found Eco Hostel – Chiriquí, Panama
Eco Friendly Features: Onsite citrus grove, organic coffee, farm-to-table lunches, and volunteer opportunities offered.
Mellow Eco Hostel – Barcelona, Spain
Eco Friendly Features: Renewable solar energy, environmentally friendly cleaning products, energy saving light bulbs, and recycling. Air conditioning is located in the common rooms and is only run when necessary.
Portland Hawthorn Hostel – Oregon, United States
Eco Friendly Features: Living roof, green cleaning products, recycling, and composting. Common room is made of eco-friendly and recycled materials and guests who arrive by bike receive a $5 per night discount.
Diana Smith is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to her travels in Europe, she has also explored the US, adventuring from coast to coast and back again by way of the road. When Diana isn’t road-tripping she volunteers with a non-profit AIDS organization in New York City. Diana holds a BA in film and media studies from the University of California-Irvine and an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College. To view more excerpts from her travels visit RoadsAmerica.com or find her on Twitter @Roads_America.
Feature photo of eco key chain via Shutterstock