Affordable accommodation and concrete environmental actions
Reducing environmental impacts is one of Eurohostel’s development goals. In 2019, we asked visitors to our website whether the environmental performance of an accommodation provider affects their choice of accommodation. More than three out of four respondents (76.8% of 734 respondents) said that it does.
At Eurohostel, taking environmental considerations into account includes our own rooftop solar power system (see the real-time energy production of our solar panels »), purchasing electricity generated 100% from renewable energy sources (hydropower), increasing the use of building automation, and sorting and recycling waste.
Our toilets are equipped with water-saving automatic taps, dual-flush toilets and hand dryers instead of paper towels. The showers are motion-activated. All staff facilities and saunas have demand-controlled lighting. Disposable plates and cutlery are not used in the guest kitchens, and the cooking hobs operate on timers. Rainforest Alliance Certified products are available from the hot drink vending machine in the lobby.
Eurohostel is smoke-free. Our office sorts paper, cardboard, batteries, glass, metal, plastic, biowaste, fluorescent tubes and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Mixed waste is sent for energy recovery.
Guests can sort waste both in their rooms and at Eurohostel’s recycling point, which has separate containers for biowaste, batteries, glass, metal, cardboard, paper and plastic. ekosivu
In our long-term monitoring, water consumption and the amounts of paper and mixed waste have decreased compared with 2021. However, consumption and waste volumes may vary from year to year.
In summer 2024, we installed 84 solar panels on the roof of the hostel. At peak production, they generate more than 330 kWh per day. On bright summer days, the property produces more electricity than it consumes, allowing us to feed surplus electricity into the national grid.
We continue to monitor energy consumption, water consumption and waste volumes, and to develop our environmental practices annually. Environmental considerations are also taken into account in discussions with our partners and in procurement.
Examples of our environmental actions
- We favour paper products certified with the FSC and EU Ecolabel.
- Lighting has been upgraded to improve energy efficiency, and more than 20% of our lighting is controlled by timers or sensors.
- We participate in Earth Hour every year.
- We promote reuse by donating usable items for further use.
- We support selected nature conservation and environmental projects with donations every year.
Choices to reduce environmental impacts during your stay
- Switch off lights and electrical appliances in your room whenever you do not need them.
- Take shorter showers to save water and energy.
- Unplug chargers when they are not in use.
- Make use of the heat-insulating curtains in our rooms.
- Ventilate the room by opening the ventilation window briefly.
- Use the stairs whenever possible.
- Drink tap water instead of bottled water.
- Choose Fairtrade-certified products whenever possible.
- Choose walking, cycling and public transport whenever possible.
Results of our Sustainability Program 2025 compared to previous year
- Electricity consumption decreased by 6.4%
- District heating consumption decreased by 3.6%
- Water consumption increased by 12.2%
- Total waste increased by 2.4%
- Metal waste decreased by 14.2%
- Cardboard waste decreased by 0.8%
- Glass waste decreased by 15.2%
- Biowaste decreased by 1.9%
- Paper waste increased by 16.9%
- Plastic waste increased by 7.6%
- Mixed waste increased by 0.8%
Eurohostel supported the Clean Baltic Sea Project with a donation to support the protection of the Baltic Sea.
Eurohostel supported the conservation work of the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation with a donation.
We also donate funds to Perinneleikit ry, which works to preserve and promote Finnish traditional games and cultural heritage.
In addition, Eurohostel made a donation to the new Finnish Aviation Museum to support the preservation of Finnish aviation history and cultural heritage.
Hostelling International – Quality & Sustainability (HI-Q&S)
In September 2019, Eurohostel was awarded the HI-Q&S certificate, Hostelling International’s own quality certification incorporating sustainable development.
HI-Q&S has been designed specifically for hostels within the HI network and takes into account the particular characteristics and needs of hostels. HI-Q&S is used by more than 400 hostels in 32 Hostelling International member associations.
To achieve the certification, a hostel must meet more than 200 requirements based on the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development.
HI-Q&S is recognised by both the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Sustainable Travel Finland.
Sustainable Travel Finland
Visit Finland developed the Sustainable Travel Finland programme for tourism companies and destinations to make it easier to adopt sustainable practices and choices in everyday operations.
Participants who complete the STF programme and meet its criteria are granted the right to use the Sustainable Travel Finland label as recognition of their valuable and long-term work. Eurohostel received the label in 2020 as one of the first companies to do so.
Visit Finland has also published national sustainable tourism principles, which we aim to follow in our daily operations.
Solar panels
Real-time energy production of the solar panels on our roof.