Success Stories
Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter members are always implementing new and innovative sustainable business practices. Check back here regularly to learn about the contributions Charter member businesses are making towards sustainability.
Sustainability in Action @ YHA Rotorua
Oct 20, 2009
The 2009 Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter AGM was hosted by YHA Rotorua in September. The key decision made at this AGM was that businesses with Qualmark Silver Enviromark or better and/or Green Globe Certification can elect to submit their sustainability management plan for consideration in lieu of completing the Charter five yearly sustainability assessment. The Charter assessor will assess the business’s sustainability management plan to determine if the plan is robust enough to forgo the Charter a sustainability assessment process.
Click here>>> to download the Charter AGM 2009 minutes.
The AGM was followed by a presentation from the backpacker’s manager Haylee Bloor who outlined some of the key sustainability actions adopted. Haylee explained that since joining the YHA network the backpacker’s level of commitment to sustainable practices, which was high before this event, was raised even higher. “For example, the YHA national organization went through a robust evaluation process to choose Corporate Express as the chemical supplier for all YHA properties in New Zealand. The key evaluation criterion for the 15 suppliers considered was their environmental credentials” says Haylee. Another major change has been the introduction of a micro cloth cleaning system, which will significantly reduce the amount of chemicals used. “We chose this option following the last Sustainability In Action function organised by the Charter which included a presentation from a micro cloth system supplier” says Haylee.
Following the presentation Haylee and the Assistant Manager Richard Lindgate guided members through the backpackers. Haylee pointed out a couple of features before leaving the communal kitchen/dining area where the AGM was held. These included the environmental action notice board, which shared with guests the various environmental projects the business supports and the long row of recycling bins under this notice board. “Recycling is a key issue for our guests and comments made through guest feedback systems indicated we did not formerly do enough in this sustainability area. However, since introducing an extensive range of recycling options these comments have stopped” says Haylee. Haylee explained that the plastic stackable recycling bins currently located in the kitchen/dining area will be distributed to the rooms and replaced with a more aesthetically pleasing cabinet system matching the existing kitchen cabinets.
The tour of the backpackers included a tour of the latest extensions to the facility. “The extensions were to provide a unique accommodation facility catering to small groups such as sports teams and school groups. Groups staying at the Group Units are isolated from the rest of the backpackers and have their own secure entrance as well as all their own services such as kitchen, dining area, lounge and bathrooms” says Haylee.
With regard to challenges associated with the introduction of sustainability into the business, Haylee mentioned the low energy bulbs installed throughout the backpackers. “Feedback from guests indicated that in some areas the new energy efficient lights were too dim so we replaced them with slightly more powerful energy efficient lights” says Haylee.
Looking into the future Haylee explained that with gas being the business’s highest cost and with a geothermal bore available on site, they intend investigating various options for combining the geothermal energy into the current system. “This will not only save us money but will significantly reduce our carbon footprint” says Haylee.
Click here>>> to view the detailed YHA Rotorua fact sheet for this event.
