YHA Australia has secured Eco Tourism Australia certification for an extra 4 properties, taking 50% of its community to the globally recognised sustainability standing.
YHA Sydney Central, YHA Cairns, YHA Thredbo, and YHA Newcastle are the most recent to be licensed, becoming a member of the seven YHA places which have already earned the accreditation.
Eco Tourism Australia certification requires properties to satisfy over 200 key standards spanning 4 pillars of sustainability, environmental, socio-economic, cultural, and accountable enterprise practices.
“Receiving Ecotourism Australia’s eco-certification to now 50% of our community is a mirrored image of our dedication to sustainability,” mentioned YHA Australia CEO, Paul McGrath.
“It means travellers could make assured selections to remain in locations that align with their values.
“We’re pleased with our progress to this point and intention to certify the rest of our community by the tip of 2025. Persevering with to supply recognisable, trusted lodging choices for environmentally aware company.”
Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan, mentioned reasonably priced lodging suppliers akin to YHA play a crucial function in making sustainable journey accessible to extra individuals.
“With 50% of their community now licensed, it’s incredible to see YHA main by instance and exhibiting such dedication,” Keenan mentioned.
“Congratulations onto the crew on reaching this thrilling milestone, and we look ahead to persevering with to assist YHA as they work in the direction of certifying all 19 properties”.
YHA is frequently adopting renewable vitality on website to satisfy its sustainability objectives. As of 1 July, YHA Melbourne Central, YHA Grampians Eco, YHA Apollo Bay, YHA Newcastle Seaside, YHA Port Elliot, YHA Pittwater, YHA Coolangatta and YHA Head Workplace are being powered by 100% GreenPower, bringing whole community adoption to 22%.
Whereas electrical energy nonetheless comes from the grid, an equal quantity of renewable vitality is fed again into the system.
At YHA Sydney Harbour, YHA Byron Bay, and YHA Sydney Central renewable vitality is generated on-site through photo voltaic panels, with any extra energy returned to the grid.
Power-efficient lighting and home equipment are customary follow throughout the community, in addition to sturdy recycling and a waste discount program the place as much as 305 mattresses and 412kg of textiles have been diverted from landfill by way of partnerships with Smooth Touchdown and Upparel since 2024.
Enhancements are additionally being made to heating, air flow and air-con (HVAC) methods, together with a swap to photo voltaic scorching water, renewable vitality, and reverse-cycle air-con. Water-saving initiatives embody grey-water recycling and a swap to sachet detergent, saving as much as 1,000 litres of water per property per day.
5 {dollars} from each reserving can be diverted in the direction of the Sustainable Properties Fund, which is devoted to serving to cut back the environmental impression of YHA Australia’s by way of sustainability tasks throughout the community.
