YHA Sydney Harbour

YHA Sydney Harbour and Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES  

Sydney Harbour YHA is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and being a responsible community member through a mix of heritage conservation and environmental sustainable 

practices and services. Initiatives include:

Energy/Greenhouse gas reduction:

  • 30KW Photovoltaic system installed on roof of hostel and Education centre in 2016 (partly funded by the YHA Sustainability Fund)
  • Solar hot water panels 
  • Gas powered generator. 
  • Restricted air-conditioning (AC) controlled by reed switches on windows and temperature setting by staff. 
  • Key-card operated power saving devices in all bedrooms controlling lights and AC. 
  • Motion and sensor controlled lighting. 
  • Low energy light bulbs used throughout property plus abundant natural lighting. 
  • Bike storage and active promotion of public transport options - we have no car parking. 

As a result of this properties energy saving measures, guests at Sydney Harbour YHA use approximately 27% less electricity and 44% less gas per night than those at YHAs other Sydney CBD properties.

 

Waste Minimisation:

  • Each room has dual bins for recycling and other waste. 
  • Recycling, organic waste and general rubbish bins in guest kitchen. 
  • Recycling of paper, glass, plastic, aluminium, batteries, light bulbs, toner cartridges and clothes (donated to charities). 
  • Swap shelves for guests to leave things they don’t want. Free food shelves in kitchen. 
  • Biodegradable cleaning products.
  • Sale of refillable water bottles- we don’t sell bottled water. 

Water Saving measures:

  • 40,000 litre rain water tank used to flush toilets. 
  • 40,000 litre storm water detention tank. 
  • All taps are 5-star WELS and showers are 3-star WELS rated. 
  • Dual flush 3L/4.5L toilets, waterless urinals, front loader washing machines. 
  • Signage encouraging guests to take shorter showers, turn off taps while brushing teeth, report leaks etc. 

As a result of this properties water saving measures, guests at Sydney Harbour YHA use approximately 54% less water per night than those at YHAs other Sydney CBD properties.

 

Indoor Environmental Quality measures:

  • Careful selection of environmentally accredited materials such as low formaldehyde laminex, recycled rubber flooring, natural wool carpet, pinboards made from 100% recycled PET, and rubbish bins from recyclable plastic. 
  • Building design with open walkways and central voids for natural light and ventilation. 
  • Operable windows with shade louvers that slide across the windows allow for natural ventilation and shading without energy use. 
  • Smoking only permitted on roof terrace and education centre balcony. 

Social Sustainability:

  • The Big Dig Archaeology Education centre providing school children the opportunity to learn about the archaeology of The Big Dig site and Sydney’s history 
  • Heritage interpretation of The Big Dig site, Australia’s largest urban archaeology area 
  • Sinking fund generated from a percentage of each guests overnight fee to provide for the ongoing conservation, interpretation and education of The Big Dig site. 
  • Donations to The Smith family funded by guest contributions 
  • Regular hostel activities to encourage guest interaction

 

YHA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to the elders, past and present, and the extended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We recognise their custodianship of the land, sea, & water for over 60,000 years.

YHA Australia is a proud member of Hostelling International - a network of more than 2,650 hostels across 57 countries that share the mission of making travel more sustainable & accessible.