Singapore
This backpackers' lodging makes it easy for guests to engage in eco-friendly practices
SINGAPORE - At this hostel, guests get filtered water to fill up their water bottles as an alternative to buying bottled water. There is also a station where guests can give away or exchange unwanted items.
Singapore's first and only green backpackers' hostel is giving travellers an option to go green. Located at Tan Quee Lan Street in Bugis, Tree In Lodge is Singapore's first environmentally-friendly hostel.
Since it opened more than a year ago, it has received more than 2,500 guests.
Other than putting in place green practices, the hostel's interior decoration is kept to a minimum to reduce its carbon footprint.
Mr Tan Swee Kian, co-owner of 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."
"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.
The hostel's owners, however, acknowledged that being eco-friendly is not without its challenges, with cost being a major consideration.
Still, there are no plans to give up any time soon.
In fact, the owners are planning to introduce more eco-friendly features in the hostel to drive home the green message.
Travellers said the hostel comes as a breath of fresh air.
Canadian travel writer Ian Ord 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."
"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," said Mr Marco Eder, a guest from Germany.
By Olivia Siong
Today
06 June 2012
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