H571 - Wellington City YHA Hostel - Wellington
Region
Summary
Wellington City YHA Hostel has been introducing environmental improvements
since the early 1990s, initiatives which now fall into line with its national
Environmental Charter. The Wellington Hostel has been established as a 'Sustainable
Living Centre' alongside most other YHA hostels in New Zealand. Reuse, recycling,
composting, energy efficiency and water conservation measures have all been
implemented. As well as defining their own cleaner production initiatives,
Hostel staff encourage guests to act in an environmentally responsible way
beyond the Hostel gates. This helped YHA New Zealand win the 1995 NZ Tourism
Award for 'Service To The Environment'.
Business Profile
Wellington City YHA Hostel provides beds for 114 guests in a
variety of double, family and shared rooms, including en suites
The Hostel, a member of the national Association, employs three
full-time and seven part-time staff. In 1996 the national body
won an award from the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF)
for being the World's leading national group.
Type of Project
Energy efficiency; good housekeeping; material reuse and recycling;
reduction in material use and packaging waste; reduction in use
of hazardous substances; reduction in water use.
Reasons for Project
To comply with the Environmental Charter; to move towards more
sustainable operations; to encourage environmental awareness
in guests and staff; and achieve cost savings.
The Project
Policy
The IYHF's 'Environmental Charter' applies to all NZ hostels. It identifies
seven areas for action: consumption; recycling; pollution; energy conservation;
transport; nature; environmental education. An Environmental Manual has also
been produced for national distribution to help managers and staff implement
the Charter.
Laying out the objectives for the Federation gives support to
individual hostels, encourages hostels to set benchmarks for
achievement and helps managers focus on areas for improvement.
Energy Efficiency
- Hot water pipes and cylinders throughout
the Hostel have been insulated.
- Timing switches for heaters have been installed
in selected areas and are controlled by a Powerline Carrier
Control system.
- Air circulation fans are being introduced to
communal areas.
- Spent fluorescent lights are replaced by more
energy efficient ones.
- New shower roses are being phased in which reduce
flow rates to approximately 6 litres per minute (halving water
flow for some units).
- The possibility of installing a solar panel
on the Hostel's roof to help heat water is under investigation.
Energy consumption is being further investigated (an energy
audit was carried out in 1996) by Ecosystems, a Lower Hutt
company.
- A pilot heat exchange unit
has been installed to feed into one of the Hostel's hot water
tanks. his innovative
design from the USA uses grey water to pre-heat cold water
entering the hot water tank. The temperature rises approx.
10¡C from the heat exchange inlet to its discharge to the hot
water tank (over 25¡C). The heat exchange unit effectively
increases the amount of hot water available to guests by reducing
the time taken to heat water in the tank to the required temperature.
This is the first time this system has been trialed in New
Zealand.
Projected cost savings for the Hostel are:
- Water heating and supply
savings » $3530 p.a.
- Space heating savings compared
to original proposal » $3285
p.a.
Savings made in electricity consumption (including improvements
in the hot water system) reduce national fossil fuel burning
at power stations and the release of pollutants. Use of fluorescent
bulbs with increased lifespan reduces resource use and quantities
of waste. Guests are experiencing a more comfortable Hostel environment.
Composting
A worm composting unit has been specially designed and built
on the Hostel roof by a local composting specialist. The
wooden bins contain tens of thousands
of 'Tiger worms' (Eisenia fÏtida) which are able to deal with all the kitchen
scraps separated by guests and staff. This amounts to 70-80 litres per week,
depending on guest numbers. The products include a liquid tonic and a solid
compost, both of which contain a cocktail of minerals which promote good
plant growth.
Avoided landfill costs are potentially $80 per year (at mid-1997
landfill prices). In addition, the end products - solid vermicompost
and liquid soil tonic - replace traditionally purchased plant
foods and soil additives used at the Hostel. Initial outlay for
establishment of custom-made vermicomposting bins was about $1200.
The system provides education on composting in an urban setting
for both guests and workers. Nutrients are returned to the soil,
and energy is conserved by avoiding transport to landfill or
off-site composting sites.
Cleaning Products
A range of traditional cleaning products has been phased out in favour of a
set of citrus based cleaners with significantly reduced environmental impact.
These stain removers, general purpose and toilet cleaners are as effective
as those they replace, but no longer contain: phosphates; petroleum-based
solvents; powerful acids; caustics; bactericidal chemicals. All products
biodegrade within 21 days. Citrus products need to be left for a little longer
to act on the surface being cleaned. Packaging has also been reduced.
The citrus products are more expensive per
unit volume than traditional cleaners but less is needed to
achieve the same results,
so the costs balance out. They provide a reduction in hazardous
discharges to the sewer system, and improved health & safety
for workers and guests (allergic reactions reduced).
Water
Shower roses for more efficient flow are being phased in throughout the Hostel
(see Energy Efficiency, above); dual-flush toilets are introduced where old
units need replacing, and water metering is used to monitor consumption and
assess leakage. The user pays system (using a water meter) enables the Hostel
Manager to translate water conservation measures into dollar savings. To
date, phased initiatives to save water are too new to have shown significant
savings above the normal variations in Hostel use.
Although Wellington's water supply is plentiful, the current
increase in demand by Wellington ratepayers will hasten the need
for additional catchments. Establishing new catchments invariably
disturbs local ecosystems. Waste water disposal and treatment
also demand large amounts of energy and resources.
Reuse and Recycling
Wherever possible, new homes are found for old Hostel items. For example, in
mid-1996, all beds were replaced, with the old furniture going to another
organisation for re-use. Obsolete furniture is either sold or given away.
Milk in reused glass (not plastic) bottles is sold at the Hostel shop.
Recycling containers are positioned behind a specially designed
facade near the kitchen/dining area with symbols to avoid confusion.
The following materials are separated for recycling - food scraps;
paper; cardboard; glass containers; aluminium and steel cans;
and plastics (polyethylene and PET). About 750 litres of material
is diverted from landfill for recycling or composting every week
- over 50% of total waste volumes.
Materials are collected by several local recycling companies
at a cost, but this cost is offset by the avoided costs of landfilling
the material.
Education
Education is an important part of the organisation's Environmental Charter.
Material available to guests at the Central Wellington Hostel includes information
on: re-use and recycling; local public transport timetables; conservation
issues; and guides to bush walks. Guests and staff are encouraged to buy
supplies in minimal packaging and those made from recyclable materials. This
Hostel is part of the nationally co-ordinated 'Sustainable Living Centres'
programme undertaken by the YHA in 1995 which trains managers in environmental
initiatives. These educational initiatives produce an enhanced appreciation
of the Wellington environment, improved 'buy-in' to the waste minimisation
systems in place at the Hostel, and minimised environmental impact of the
tourists passing through the Hostel.
Purchasing
All items purchased for the Hostel, especially equipment and furnishings, are
checked for durability and fitness of purpose. This ensures that, although
initial costs may be higher, running and maintenance costs are minimised
and longer term replacement costs are avoided.
Transport
Incoming mail used to arrive at a PO Box which was emptied daily and delivered
to the Hostel by a courier company. Now, mail is delivered to the Hostel's
street address by NZ Post. Mail system savings have been immediate - the
annual cost of a PO Box is $120, and the annual cost of the courier is $816,
giving a total annual saving of $1036. Avoiding the use of a courier to deliver
mail exclusively to the Hostel reduces fuel consumption which pollutes the
air and is a non-renewable resource. NZ Post delivers mail on foot, and Saturday
deliveries are now possible.
A 'Hitching Post' is being introduced at the Hostel, where guests,
staff and locals alike can place requests for lifts on 'The Post'
or offer rides for hitchers. The 'Hitching Post' raises the profile
of the Hostel in the community and provides a valuable service.
Shared lifts may reduce the number of vehicles on the road, hence
fuel consumption. Tourists are given the opportunity to interact
with New Zealanders.
For additional information contact:
Hamish Allardice, Manager
Wellington City YHA Hostel
Cnr Wakefield Street & Cambridge Terrace
Wellington
Phone: (04) 801 7280
Fax: (04) 801 7278
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