Room with a clue

Hostelling International Boston lessens tourists' footprints

By ALYSON SHEPPARD

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The next time you have friends in town—particularly those of the "leave no trace" traveling brethren—it would be worthwhile to consider Hostelling International Boston's accommodations, where they have begun greeting environmentalists with open arms but turning paper coffee cups away at the door.

"We have a vision statement that calls for us to be stewards of the earth and its resources, so it just seemed appropriate," says general manager Bob Sylvia about the hostel's eco-friendly initiative.

In an effort to reduce power and water bills and increase patronage, the hostel has introduced recycling stations, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, recyclable carpet, low-flow plumbing fixtures and environmentally-friendly cleaning products over the past three years.

Its newest program provides guests the opportunity to leave behind the complimentary pair of flip-flops they receive at check-in to be sanitized and donated to local shelters for reuse.

Sylvia says youth staying in hostels now have a different mindset than they did in previous years; they have started demanding eco-consciousness, and if you don't supply, you'll go out of business. Hostelling International is a member of Boston Green Tourism and is currently looking for a new location to be dubbed "the greenest building in Boston."

A night at the HI will not only give your friends a metro-located roof over their heads, but it comes with the added bonus of mingling with like-minded tourists such as themselves.

[Hostelling International Boston, 12 Hemenway St., Boston. 617.536.9455. bostonhostel.org]