Travelling and going green are not usually associated with one another.
But Singapore’s first and only green backpackers’ hostel is giving travellers an option to go green, without sacrificing the creature comforts.
It has received more than 2,500 guests since it opened more than a year ago.
Located at Tan Quee Lan Street in Bugis, Tree In Lodge is Singapore’s first environmentally-friendly hostel.
Tan Swee Kian, co-owner, Tree In Lodge, said: “We actually used an old building and fitted it with some facilities for going green. (We) also built in practices to make it a habit. I think it’s more important because this goes back to the basics.”
The hostel provides filtered water for guests to fill up their own bottles as an alternative to buying bottled water.
There are also stations for guests to give away or exchange unwanted items.
To reduce its carbon footprint, the hostel’s interior decoration is kept to a minimum.
“What you see around the hostel is more of green practices… It’s not difficult to go green, it’s not difficult to have a green environment, it’s whether you’re willing to change for that,” said Mr Tan.
It costs S$28 to spend a night at the hostel, but foreign cyclists stopping by Singapore get 50 per cent off for their eco-friendly mode of transport.
Travellers said the hostel is a breath of fresh air.
Ian Ord, a travel writer from Canada, said: “I’ve been backpacking for quite a long time and there are not many places that try to educate their guests like this place does. To find people that are this passionate is really rewarding to the guests as well.”
Marco Eder, a guest from Germany, said: “There are a lot of signs and exhibits on what you can do to save energy and water, and what you can recycle. Just walking around the hostel and seeing those little things, it just raises awareness.”
But the hostel’s owners said being eco-friendly is not without its challenges, with cost a major consideration.
However, there are no plans to give up any time soon.
The owners said they’re planning to introduce more eco-friendly features in the hostel, to drive home the green message.
