The Green Stuff

As an eco-friendly hotel concept, it’s our duty to care for our guests, our neighbours, our people, and our planet. Whether it’s caring for our community or being transparent about the steps we’re taking to make a difference, these are some of the good things we do to become a more sustainable and responsible brand. We call it ‘The Green Stuff’.

At The Green Elephant Hostels, the environment is always at the forefront of our minds. We strive to keep our ecological footprint as small as possible because preserving the earth is more than just a goal for us; it’s a lifestyle. Sustainability feels natural to us, and we see it as a shared responsibility. It’s not just the management’s task to reduce environmental impact but everyone’s within The Green Elephant. Together, we ensure that we always work in a green and conscious way.

We integrate eco-friendliness into everything we do and expect all our employees to follow the established procedures and policies as second nature. It’s an obvious part of our daily work and our ‘good vibes’ culture.

In our hostel, everything revolves around providing a great experience for our visitors, protecting the environment, and contributing to a better world. We aim to be not only a fantastic place to stay but also to have a positive impact on society.

What we do:

• We ensure that our services meet your expectations and even offer a bit more than you hoped for.
• We are committed to minimising our environmental impact and ensuring the safety and health of our employees, guests, suppliers, and everyone we interact with.
• We actively contribute to a better society by collaborating with charities, schools, and local initiatives.

How we do it:

• We recognise the importance of the environment in everything we do and comply with laws and regulations concerning environmental issues.
• We ensure that every employee is aware of our policy and takes responsibility for adhering to it.
• We always strive for improvement by continuously enhancing our environmental performance and measuring our progress.
• We minimise our waste and ensure that what we do produce is carefully separated.
• We prefer local suppliers to stimulate the regional economy.
• We support charities and work with schools and social organisations to make a positive impact.

We believe that sustainable choices significantly contribute to a healthy planet and a pleasant stay. Our Green Initiatives demonstrate how we work towards a greener world every day.

• We choose the most sustainable partners, suppliers, and materials. This means that the paint on the walls is plant-based, the carpeting is fully circular, and the restaurant floor is made from recycled cork and the walls from (certified) wood.
• We offer a delicious vegan breakfast buffet without single-use packaging. This helps prevent food waste and ensures a sustainable start to your day.
• We recycle and lovingly separate our waste. Toners, cartridges, and old mobile phones are collected for recycling.
• Our shampoo and body wash come from Marcel’s Green Soap, a brand that prioritises sustainability.
• All the lighting in the hostel is LED, helping us save energy together and give the planet a helping hand.
• We use self-check-in and check-out kiosks to save paper – you only need a small room slip with basic info.
• Our rooms are equipped with energy savers: you can only turn on the electricity with your keycard. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption when you’re not in your room.
• Our Tiny Dream Houses are made from fully CO2-neutral and circular wood by Solid Timber.
• We have Auping mattresses, the most sustainable mattress company in the Netherlands. Soft for you and the earth.
• Our showers mix air with water to reduce consumption without compromising on that great rain shower experience. Don’t worry, you’ll still enjoy it!
• We encourage you to be mindful of water usage while showering and brushing your teeth so that together we can make a difference for the environment.
• We use online hotel information instead of those old-fashioned information folders. Sustainable and convenient for you!
• There are no phones in the rooms – this reduces the production of new devices and we are reachable via WhatsApp.
• We choose public transport over cars. That’s why you’ll find us conveniently close to the station.