Sustainability is a concept that has existed in various forms for generations. Our ancestors probably thought of it more in terms of thriftiness, while we are now aware of our carbon footprint. However we approach the issue, however, it’s an important one. We all want a better world for the next generation, and to do out part to make that happen.
While we’re at home, we do our best to reduce, reuse and recycle. We compost and we use energy-efficient appliances and LED lights wherever we can. But we have less control over our waste and our ecological impact when we’re on vacation. We have to rely on the places we go to do a lot of that for us.
In recent years, even chain hotels have started providing greener options, like reusing your towels instead of washing them every day, or having pump-dispensing soaps instead of tiny plastic individual bottles. However, a lot of the travel industry is based on the idea that everything is clean and new, and that you are the only person who has used this room. Of course, this fiction is absurd, but a lot of bleach has been expended to maintain the ruse.
How Do We Measure Up?
At the Pring Guesthouse, we embrace sustainability enthusiastically. As a hostel, of course, we reject all forms of single-use, over-packaged nonsense. All of our appliances are high-efficiency and all of our lights are low-wattage LEDs. Our shower heads, faucets and toilets are all water-wise and our garden is managed entirely with rainwater. We encourage guests to use public transport and active transport rather than driving. All our soaps and cleaning supply are low-packaging. We have several places in the building where guests can practice recycling. All of these things are obvious and should be standard across the accommodation industry.
Perhaps most importantly in terms of sustainability, we have the privilege of being located in an old building – in fact, a heritage-listed mansion! The proper name for this – when an old building is used in a new way – is adaptive reuse. It has the benefit of only requiring retrofitting, rather than land being cleared, ecosystem disruption, or buildings to be demolished to make way for a new build.
How Does That Work?
But when we think of ecologically friendly places, we generally envision something very modern, rather than a huge old house with numerous chandeliers. Grand spaces necessarily want to be seen to be lavish, or luxurious. Conspicuous wealth is a feature of old mansions, and ours is no exception. From the exquisitely turned rosewood railing on the central staircase to the astonishing curved doors on the living room, the Pring family wanted to show off their prestige.
And who doesn’t want a bit of luxury when they’re on vacation? It makes no sense and it would be visually jarring if we were to take this grand building and make it look efficient and modern. So we have done what we can do to make those grand features work for us. The thickness of the walls (up to two feet in some places) and the shutters on the windows certainly insulate the building as well as any modern building. Furthermore, no trees have been chopped down, no dumpsters filled, and no wrecking balls employed.
We do our best to walk the thin line. On one side, we have the conspicuous consumption that is expected in the tourism industry and in a heritage building. On the other, there is our sense of responsibility to our planet and generations to come. We are always open to any suggestions about where we can do better. Whether our guests want a comfort and luxury, or whether they want low ecological impact, we will always do our best to be sustainable.
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