The IYHF Environmental Charter     û

 

EUFED and IYHF seek to encourage awareness and good practice among their member Associations, so enabling the Youth Hostel movement to play its part in environmental conservation.

The Charter was established in the 90's to encourage Youth Hostels to contribute to the realization of the 7 aims below. The module will help to achieve this.

 
1. Consumption

Management and purchasing policies to avoid and minimize waste, facilitate recycling and minimize the use of materials harmful to the environment will be adopted. Water consumption will be reduced through measures to minimize water waste.
2. Recycling
Associations will commit themselves to use recycled or partially recycled products wherever feasible. They will also commit to recycling as many resources as possible, such as paper, glass, metal, plastic and organic materials, and develop the necessary changes in operations to implement comprehensive recycling practices. Where there are no available recycling facilities, emphasis will be placed on avoiding and minimizing waste.
3. Pollution
As the largest single source of pollution from the operation of hostels is disposal of waste, pollution will be minimized through the use of efficient and environmentally acceptable methods of waste reduction and disposal.
4. Energy Conservation
Associations will monitor energy consumption and seek to minimize energy usage in its hostels and operations. IYHF will seek to encourage use of renewable energy resources and promote projects to this end where possible.
5. Transport
Associations will encourage use of available public transport and supply full information on public transport at all youth hostels. Alternatively, car sharing will be encouraged and hostellers using cars will be encouraged to discover surrounding areas by public transport, bicycle, or on foot.
6. Nature

Environmental concerns will be taken into consideration when caring for hostel grounds. For hostels located in or near a specially designated nature area. Associations will encourage support and protection of those areas.
7. Environmental Education

Activities and displays promoting the importance of adopting environmental practices, changing personal habits, and emphasizing th individual’s ability to influence change positively will be a featured part of the hostel experience. Associations will consider making suitable youth hostels into special environmental study centres where possible.