Hostel gospel

Youth hostels take on a greener hue As the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) turns 75, is it time to update your idea of what it’s all about? The association is celebrating its anniversary with a new government-backed Green Shoots project, through which it aims to unlock young people’s awareness about protecting the environment and living more sustainably. Targeting the families, youth groups and schools who take residential breaks at Youth Hostels, the three-year project will combine an educational and awards programme with the reinforcement of hostels’ own efforts to inspire by example. There’s already a YHA local food procurement policy, and a longstanding involvement in encouraging alternatives to car travel - whether public transport, walking or cycling. Wind, water and solar power is in use at several hostels, and the one at Lockton in north Yorkshire has recently been designated as a ‘green beacon’ of the Association’s forward-looking aspirations. - Roger East

18 June 2005

Roger East