Congrats to Samesun Hostel, Banff's Newest Trailblazer!
Pictured in photo: Neele Schneider, Megan Purchase, and John Hunter
Samesun Hostel is the latest recipient of the Zero Waste Trailblazer Awards, a recognition for Banff businesses and institutions that go above and beyond efforts to reduce, re-use and recycle.
We sat down with the team at Samesun Hostel to learn more about what it means to move toward zero waste in the context of a hostel. The passion of the management team was infectious and clearly translated to staff at all levels.
The Samesun is in a unique position as a lodging operation with dormitory style rooms, a shared kitchen for guest use, and a restaurant—all of which have potential to generate different types of waste. Thankfully, the team at the Samesun knows how to handle the different sources of waste and for the most part, they tackle preventing waste before it happens in the first place!
The team at Samesun is helping Banff move toward zero waste by:
- Not providing unnecessary waste like single-use items
- Sharing their enthusiasm for the importance of zero waste with their guests
- Ensuring that guests participate in proper waste sorting by providing clearly labelled, well-organized communal bins
- Using Town of Banff services like food scraps collection and the neighbourhood recycling bins to responsibly dispose of the materials
Hostel staff can often be the first folks that visitors meet when they arrive in Banff, and we are reassured knowing that sustainability is a top priority message being shared with guests. Thanks to the passionate crew at the Samesun for creating a hostel experience that showcases Banff’s environmental values!
Zero Waste Trailblazers are selected based on 10 categories and 20 certification criteria relating to waste reduction and diversion practices, measured results, and related environmental protection initiatives. The categories are listed at banffzerowastetrail.ca/commercial. Businesses must score higher than 16 points (80%) to achieve Trailblazer status.
Is your workplace on the Zero Waste Trail? email zero.waste@banff.cato get involved and help protect the park for future generations to come.