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Running a hostel alternatively

Date November 27, 2025

Reading time 5 min

by: Eva

In this article:

At Saintlo, we put our strong values into practice every day in our hostels. At Saintlo Montreal, we bring them to life with concrete initiatives and a committed team. We asked one of our passionate managers to share their ideas and actions for running a different kind of hostel that lives up to sustainable development.

Examples of responsible actions at Saintlo Montreal

Textile recycling: We try to reuse our unusable bedsheets in different ways, like as tissues and other accessories. Some sheets are given to a non-profit organization to be sewn into “catalogne” type blankets or rugs.
Social-economy furniture: Our beds are custom manufactured locally by Formetal, a social economy organization that provides both cozy nights for our travellers and a positive social impact.
Zero-waste maintenance: We manage a container pick-up and refill system with Larose for our building maintenance cleaning products.
Responsible breakfasts: Vrac&Bocaux, Fairmount Bagel and Dauphinais supply us with organic, local, zero-waste products that also support regional producers.
Donations to the community: Furniture and equipment in a usable state are first offered for free on online exchange platforms to limit the material we throw away to the utmost.
Social-economy meals: We sell frozen meals prepared by Chic resto pop at the hostel bistro so that travellers have access to a quality food offer that also supports a local initiative.
Training in waste sorting: Each new team member enjoys free training on proper waste sorting to integrate eco-responsible practices at the heart of the establishment’s operations.

To find out more

So why do you do all this?

Certainly the motivation is to some extent anxiety, but it’s also clarity. As a great reader and follower of current events, I came to realize that we’re heading straight toward a wall. This observation has driven me to want to do things differently, convinced that small actions matter and that by taking action we can improve things.

My commitment to sustainable development and social impact developed progressively, influenced by a colleague who embodied these values every day. As a manager, I learned that I can broaden my impact by:

Influencing my colleagues
Giving them the space to take action
Having the entire organization participate

It’s not external pressure that motivates me, but personal conviction, reinforced by the social economy at the CÉSIM social economy council. The turning point came while I was listening to a report on the Le Festif! music festival, which hired a coordinator dedicated to sustainable development. I understood then that we needed a reference person to effectively structure the overall approach, in the same way an accountant or human resources manager implements their expertise.

Does it work? And if so, how do you know?

Measuring our efforts remains complex. Certain results are easier to put a number to, like the water consumption that has been cut by half since we renovated the washrooms. Waste is more difficult though, because opening bags to verify their contents can be risky. Sometimes common sense is enough, like bulk buying or container return systems that obviously save on packaging.

Despite all our efforts, I’m not certain that all our initiatives are noticed by travellers, but that’s not completely necessary either. When they notice a part of our overall efforts, they are pleased to have chosen a committed establishment. The impact of the efforts is more direct on the team. I’m particularly proud of the social economy and investment strategy collaborations among the teams who explore Quebec each month on different themed activities that let allow them to discover the regions and build solidarity.

The greatest action in my opinion was the hiring of a sustainable development coordinator. This marked a real turning point.

How do you get people on board?

Every member of the team is already motivated to do better. I can help them by approving their choice to make sustainable development a priority. Training plays a role, as does the support of partners and other hostels. My experience at the CÉSIM showed me how rich the social economy is, even if this world can at first seem intimidating.

What are the obstacles?

The main difficulty is managing the costs and energy necessary for actions that remain legally and budgetarily “optional”. Unlike accounting or HR work policies, there are no regulatory requirements that require businesses to make such major environmental efforts. We also sometimes feel a kind of green fatigue: rowing against the current is exhausting.

Also, some projects didn’t turn out as planned:

The recycling of white sheets turned out to be tough due to how easily this material stains and the lack of recycling solutions.
A viable salary remains difficult to meet without compromising the viability of the enterprise.

The greatest obstacle is the “optional” character of sustainable development. Faced with the weak market value of sustainable investments, we have to accept that return on investment is not guaranteed. The initiatives are welcomed by the clientele as long as they don’t have to pay the price.

If I wanted to implement such actions in my hostel, where would I start?

Observe what gets done well in your environment.
Find inspiration in current best practices.
Adapt existing practices to your environment.
Surround yourself with experts, even if you have to pay a little.
Clearly communicate your commitment.
Make the message loud and clear to the team

Don’t put unattainable pressure on yourself nor get discouraged faced by the sheer scale of the mission. Focus on inspiration, copy the best ideas and push them further. If I could chat with myself of five years ago, I would say quite simply get moving and don’t wait around, for the status quo only gets worse.

Is your model replicable?

Probably in part. The communication strategies, such as posters, can be shared and reused by other establishments. Smaller hostels in smaller communities have advantages like more easily mobilizing their immediate community, though everybody must be attentive and consider their daily actions. For larger organizations, hiring a person dedicated to sustainable development is a viable option.

How do you communicate without greenwashing?

Transparency is essential. We avoid making big empty promises, yet we own each statement we do make. If I’m not at ease to state my case loud and clear, I prefer not to communicate it.

So what are the steps to come?

I have two projects in mind: integrating people living with challenges, because our business culture is ready for it, and develop a twinning program between travellers and local partners on a social mission. For example, we could give international travellers the opportunity to volunteer in local social organizations.

Running a different kind of hostel is possible. It requires conviction, perseverance and a knack for mobilizing your team. The results are sometimes difficult to measure, but the impact on the organization and the community is real. The current state of things is no longer an option: it’s time to act, one step at a time.