Hostelling International LA/Santa Monica is an affordable, eco-friendly hostel with 260 beds and two blocks from the beach. The non-profit organization believes in the power of travel to inspire a genuine understanding of people, places and culture for a more tolerant world. The environmentally conscious hostel features a member's kitchen, game room, computer center, library, laundry facilities, and movie and television room. The colorful walls are coated with low to zero-VOC paints, and natural sunlight shines through ample windows and skylights. Guests can contribute towards offsetting their CO2 emissions online when reserving a room.
HI LA/Santa Monica’s vending machines are fitted with motion sensors –cutting energy use up to 40%. Staff cleans the hostel facility using vinegar and peroxide based cleaners. Restroom faucets are installed with high efficiency water aerators, and only emit 0.5 gallons of water per minute. Old water fountains were replaced with ELKAY EZH2O bottle filling stations, which help minimize disposable plastic bottle use. The dispenser features a display that calculates the quantity of plastic bottles diverted from landfills based on the gallons of water dispensed.
The communal kitchen is stocked with only reusable dishes and utensils for hostellers to wash and sanitize after use. This is an outstanding waste reduction measure for a 260 bed hostel! In 2013, Hostelling International-LA/Santa Monica also completed the Sustainable Tourism Education (STEP) Program.