Sustainability

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Our sustainability partners

We work with the following sustainability partners:

  • Max Havelaar
    Since 1 December 2008, Swiss Youth Hostels has stocked products bearing the Fairtrade seal of approval from the Max Havelaar Foundation.
  • Since 2008, together with myclimate, SYH has given guests the option of compensating for the unavoidable emissions of their stay.
  • Swiss Youth Hostels defines its emission targets in conjunction with the Energy Agency for Industry (EnAW).
  • Standards for healthy and ecological construction in Switzerland. Since the conversion of the Valbella Youth Hostel in Lenzerheide in 2006, Swiss youth hostels have been building according to ecobau standards.
  • Minergie
    As part of the extension and renovation of Zermatt Youth Hostel in Zermatt in 2003, this building was the first to be certified. Today, whenever possible and new buildings are built according to the Minergie with the Minergie-P-Eco standard whenever possible.
  • Solar
    Swissolar is the Swiss professional association for solar energy and represents the Swiss solar industry. The Swiss Youth Hostels have 20 solar hostels equipped with modules or collectors.
  • The support association ‘Barrier-free Switzerland’ is the coordinating body for information about barrier-free tourism.
  • öbu is the Swiss association for sustainable economic activity. Its members include around 360 companies, organisations and institutions.
  • With the KulturLegi, people on a tight budget receive discounts of 30 to 70 per cent on over 3,600 offers throughout Switzerland. Also with us.
  • Swiss gymnastics federation
  • "Tree by Tree" is the motto of the Aargau-based fashion label NIKIN. Since 2016, the company has been producing sustainable, durable and timeless products. In addition, a tree is planted for every product sold.

New climate offset project for our guest carbon offsetting

Anyone staying at Swiss Youth Hostels can voluntarily offset their stay. We double this carbon offset and the final amount goes into a fund for our cooperation with the initiative «Cause We Care» from myclimate for local and global climate protection.
Starting in January, we will invest part of the carbon offset contribution in a new project, the global climate offset project «Reforestation in Tanzania».
This project secures the land rights of the indigenous population. It will strengthen the implementation of community land use plans through forest conservation activities.
So, continue to compensate diligently so that together we can create real added value for nature and the environment – after all, for us, sustainability is a reality!

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myclimate Cause We Care

On average, a night at a Swiss youth hostel is 10 times more environmentally friendly than a night at a five-star hotel. As a non-profit organisation, we have dedicated ourselves to sustainability. We are continually reducing our environmental footprint in all areas while still ensuring a flawless service for our guests.

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