Wellington backpackers accommodation, New Zealand

At our Wellington backpackers accommodation, we are committed to a sustainable world - our success is inextricably tied to New Zealand’s clean green image. Due to our small population, environmentally friendly resources and geographical location, New Zealand has a real opportunity to be a sustainable nation we are committed to doing our bit.

Recycling:
We have been working with our contract cleaners in finding solutions to room waste and all our hostels have clearly marked recycling facilities in the kitchens for plastics (1&2), glass, paper/cardboard, aluminium and tin. Some of our hostels have seen a massive 50% increase in the amount of recycling collected.

Reducing energy consumption:
We are committed to reducing energy consumption. We want to maximise energy efficiency and use green and renewable energy sources to minimise our emissions and other harmful impacts.

We have a number of initiatives in place which has resulted in a number of hostels seeing a big reduction in their power consumption.

Replaced all our light bulbs with energy efficient ones

Insulated all hot water cylinders

Trialling and using the Quantum solar assisted hot water heating system.

Installing recladding which incorporates double glazing.

42% of our energy is sourced from carbon neutral supplier Meridian Energy

Installation of heat recovery systems in our saving up to 40% of the energy required to supply hot water to a shower
All of our hostels at our Wellington backpackers accommodation have incorporated a community project as part of their annual business plan. This is mandatory and the responsibility of the hostel manager. At least 2 days a year are spent on community projects and many of our hostels do a lot more.

Community projects:
Members and guests can also get involved in community environmental projects around New Zealand. You’ll gain local knowledge, immerse yourself in a unique environment and enjoy meeting volunteers from around the world.

Matakohe-Limestone Island:  Matakohe-Limestone Island, situated in Whangarei Harbour, comprises 37 hectares and is home to both kiwi and tuatara. Members have assisted in the regeneration of the island by taking part in activities such as planting native trees and removing introduced species.

Pigeon Island: Located at the top end of Lake Wakatipu, Pigeon Island is home to many of New Zealand’s native species and one of the region’s few podocarp-hardwood forests. It is also in close proximity to some of the country’s Great Walks. To protect this special forest, the Wakatipu Island Reforestation Trust has involved both community members and Queenstown guests in planting more native species on the island.

Clean Up NZ Week: The international 'Clean Up the World' campaign involves 40 million people and takes the form of an annual Clean Up Week in New Zealand each September.

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary – Wellington: Karori Wildlife Sanctuary plays an important role in protecting several of New Zealand’s most endangered species. We support this special place through sponsorship and encouraging members to learn more.

The Green Footprint Project: Ever heard the statement: "One person can’t make a difference"? Well this is your opportunity to make a difference and a change for the better. The Green Footprint Project is all about giving travellers using our network the opportunity to offset their impact on the environment. You can do this by purchasing native flora which is then planted at Coes Ford, a recreational reserve on the Selwyn River near Christchurch.

For a project with such long-lasting positive effects it’s very simple. Advertising within the hostels encourages guests to purchase either a native shrub for $10 or a native tree for $20. With each purchase the traveller receives a postcard with the plant’s GPS coordinate. They can then see the site where their tree is located.

All money received through the year is held until September when we bulk purchase all the native plants. Then on a spring weekend branch members, hostel staff and volunteer backpackers plant all the trees and shrubs at our annual planting day. In the past three years over 3000 native plants have been planted in Coes Ford, helping to increase biodiversity in the area, improve water quality and encourage the delightful bellbirds to come back.

We have been working on The Green Footprint Project since 2004 in partnership with Landcare Research, Selwyn District Council and Waihora Ellesmere Trust and we currently have five hostels in the network selling the plants with our Christchurch hostel responsible for administration and purchasing. We have now made a financial commitment to the project for the next three years to assist with the purchase of new plants and is currently working on incrementally involving other hostels throughout the network.