It’s no secret that the hostel industry generates a lot of waste each year, but we’re doing our best to set an example and mitigate the problem.

Sustainability means avoiding waste, and while it’s damn hard in the hospitality industry, we’ve discovered some clever ways to make it happen. We actively work to to minimise waste connected with your stay at Five Elements, and we hope it means as much to our guests as it does to us. We’ll break down the categories below where we’ve managed to change our habits in waste management.

Plastics

Well before sustainability became a buzz word, we got rid of our plastic straws at our bar and switched to bamboo ones. And sure, we had lots of guests asking for no straws in their drinks, but this switch also made us feel better about our environmental impacts. In addition, it cut back on our waste output as these straws are suitable for organic waste, rather than plastic.

In addition to the plastic problem, we also revised our bar menu and stopped providing any beverages in plastic bottles. While the vast majority of our bottles were recyclable with a deposit, it didn’t matter as it still meant we were contributing to the plastic problem. But now, we sleep a little sounder knowing we’ve mitigated that issue.

And finally, we got rid of all single packaged items in our breakfast. We no longer provide packages of jams, butters, or any other kinds of spreads. Instead, we offer them in glass jars.

Meats & Food

We know the problems associated with commercial meat in regards to sustainability. But where we’re in Germany, and meat is a huge part of our kitchen, we looked at ways we could make this choice more responsibly. And we were able to find a source from a local butcher who can vouch for its quality and environmental impact. And the biggest bonus? It’s also plastic free!

But meat isn’t the only thing we source locally; much of our bread, vegetables, and fruits all come from local markets and farmers. So not only does our food not travel far to reach our breakfast table, we’re also supporting our local economy. And that’s a pretty substantial part of waste management and sustainability.

How Can You Help?

But you too can help to minimise our waste output:

• Feeling dehydrated? Purchase one of our stainless steel water bottles, or fill up your own with tap water!
  
• Please pay attention to how you get rid of your waste by putting it in the proper bin. Have questions? Ask any staff member.
  

  Waste Management at Five Elements Hostel

  Do you have any suggestions? Or do you have any questions? Either way, let us know by sending us an email at welcome@5elementshostel.de. Alternatively, you can connect with us on Facebook or Instagram!

  And to ensure you get the best accommodation for your time in Frankfurt, book your room with us at Five Elements! And when you book direct, we guarantee the best price over platforms like Hostelworld or Booking.com. But if you see a discrepancy, simply write us an email and we’ll fix you up. We’re the top hostel in Frankfurt, after all!

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Want to make sure your stay in Frankfurt is as sustainable as possible? We’re proud of our efforts to create a carbon neutral hostel. Read on to see how we’re doing this!

If you’re worried about how your travels impact the planet, you can sleep soundly with us. We’re collectively doing what we can to minimise ours and your environmental impact.

Making your stay carbon neutral* is what we can do to help you travel with a small carbon footprint. In regards to our hostels’ energy and gas consumption, we are Co2 neutral, which is arguably the best way for us to help the environment. And while there’s still Co2 in the products we use, we’re making daily efforts to reduce this by choosing local or carbon neutral suppliers.

What We’ve Achieved So Far

For example, in 2021 alone, we were able to save 80 tons of Co2 from our electricity and gas bills, and compensated the following 3 NGOs:

Project Wings – this German founded organisation works locally, as well as in Indonesia, to recycle plastic waste, educate locals, and protect the rainforest.

Moor Futures – a local German project which preserves natural landscapes.

Atmosfair – they are huge and cost effective. Without them we would not have had the funds to compensate completely.

We believe investing in these 3 NGO makes a bigger impact than if we did other things. Because at the end of the day, how sustainable is it to change all windows to better insulated ones? Seems wasteful if you ask us.

Why Compensation and Not Reduction?

We asked ourselves how we could make the biggest impact with the funds available. As our consumption is quite optimised and changing our gas heating was not possible, we could only change our mix of electricity to greener options. While the term ‘green energy’ sounds great, it’s effectively a green washing term as it doesn’t actually increase Germany’s sustainable energy output. By definition, it means that some consume green energy, and others dirty energy. This is why we chose not to make the switch. We take the mix of both, and compensate for our usage of dirty energy.

And while we aren’t able to switch entirely from gas, we were able to reduce our consumption by using the waste energy from our AC system.

Even though it would have been cheaper and easier, we decided for compensation over switching to a Green energy tariff. We strongly believe our choice to compensate over building an entirely new system is the right one for us, as well as the planet.

Our Carbon Neutral Mission

We hope these efforts have made you look favourably upon our efforts, and we encourage you to reach out to us on the topic! Do you have any suggestions? Or do you have any questions? Either way, let us know by sending us an email at welcome@5elementshostel.de. Alternatively, you can connect with us on Facebook or Instagram!

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Five elements hostel frankfurt cooperates with environmental organisation, ‘Project Wings’.

We take sustainability seriously in our hostel, and try our best to give back where we can. That’s why we’ve decided to partner with Project Wings in an effort to do our part for the planet. The German based charity operates both locally, and as far away as Indonesia. The charity works to educate, reduce waste, and rehabilitate the environment. And their slogan? ‘Find a way, not an excuse!’, and we think that’s a pretty great statement.

How do we support them?

We support Project Wings in a variety of ways. Passively, we keep a donation box at reception where guests can donate whatever they want out of their own free will. But if you check out late, we take your key deposit and donate it.

Additionally, they compensate our CO2 savings by planting trees to minimise our ecological footprint. In 2021 alone, we were able to save 80 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. Pretty cool, huh?!

Local Initiatives

Project Wings works to preserve local orchards, which is a vital part of sustaining local flora and fauna. So far, they’ve planted 164 fruit trees, have tended to 482 trees, and laid out 3,500 m2 of wildflower meadows.

But the work doesn’t stop there. The charity is also heavily involved in educating children through special school events and projects, which is vital to promoting sustainability. They also place ‘bottle bins’ in various schools so they can collect recyclables and use the money to further their projects both locally and abroad. Those working for Project Wings understand the importance for younger generations to grasp environmentalism, as it’s them who have to live with the consequences of our present day actions and will be the future decision makers.

Initiatives in indonesia

Project Wings also hosts educational initiatives in Indonesia, but their work goes far beyond that. They’re know for the world’s largest recycling village, made entirely of eco-bricks. And if you’re wondering what exactly is an eco-brick, it’s essentially a plastic bottle filled with plastic waste. Not only does it divert waste out of the landfills (or litter), it helps in the construction of homes for the community. That’s a true win win if you ask us.

In addition to education and building an eco-brick village, they also work to reforest the local rainforest which provides habitat for animals, and helps regulate weather patterns.

All of them are aware of the current acute environmental problems, which include the pollution of nature by plastic waste and the deforestation of rainforests.

What other hostels have joined to support this charity?

We do better when we work together, and we’re not the only hostel in Germany proudly supporting this initiative. Heading to Berlin? Sunflower Hostel, Singer 109, and Heart of Gold Hostel are all supporting this organisation. Or perhaps you’re heading to Leipzig? Five Elements Hostel Leipzig is also part of this great support team! Each of these five popular hostels operates environmentally conscious facilities, and does what they feasibly can to be sustainable.

Project Wings

And that’s how our partnership with Project Wings works. While there’s always things that can be improved, we’re proud of our efforts thus far and look forward to what we can do in the future! If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us via email at welcome@5elementshostel.de

For all the latest information and news from Project Wings, you can follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or head to their website. ‘Find a way, not an excuse!’.

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We are happy to announce that the partner hostels Five Elements Hostel Frankfurt, Five Elements Hostel Leipzig, Sunflower Hostel Berlin, Singer109 Backpacker Apartment Hostel and Heart Of Gold Hostel Berlin are supporting Project Wings in building the world’s largest recycling village made of Ecobricks.
Each of the five popular partner hostels stands for environmentally conscious facilities, fair prices, top locations, clean accommodation, cosiness, long opening hours and a colourful community.

Together they support Project Wings in recycling plastic waste and other waste, as well as saving CO2 emissions by reforesting rainforest areas.

All of them are aware of the current acute environmental problems, which include the pollution of nature by plastic waste and the deforestation of rainforests. That is why the hostels have decided to form a strong partnership with Project Wings, in order to jointly make environmental protection socially acceptable.

From our side, we help every single hostel to compensate for CO2 emissions generated in their daily business through targeted tree planting campaigns, which significantly minimises their ecological footprint.

Find a way, not an excuse!
Thank you for helping us to find ways and possibilities!

Be sure to visit our new partner if you are in one of the three cities Berlin, Frankfurt or Leipzig. It’s worth it!

Berlin:
Sunflower Hostel
Singer 109
Heart of Gold Hostel

Frankfurt:
5 Elements Hostel Frankfurt

Leipzig:
5 Elements Hostel Leipzig

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City Center (Marktplatz or Augustusplatz – Every Tuesday & Friday from 9am – 5pm

Lindenauer Markt – Every Wednesday & Friday from 9am – 4pm

Plagwitzer Markthalle (Markranstädter Straße 8) – Every Saturday from 9am – 2pm

Bayrischer Platz – Every Wedneday & Friday from 9am – 5pm.

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If you’re looking for where to find open-air markets in Frankfurt, we’ve got the info you need right here!

One of the best things about travelling is the food, and you won’t find better options than at an open-air market! Frankfurt is home to several of these cute little spots, and the you’ll find lots of great things to purchase or try for the first time. One thing you’ll certainly find at any one of these spots is a good vibe and lots of locals perusing the multiple stalls.

Maybe you’re looking for some local goodies to make dinner at the hostel in our guest kitchen? Or perhaps you want to have a picnic at the river or in one of Frankfurt’s glorious parks? Or maybe you just wanna feel like a local for a day? In any case, visiting one of these markets is more than worth it!

Kaiserstraße – Every Tuesday & Thursday from 9am – 7pm.

Konstablerwache – Every Thursday from 10am-6pm, and Saturdays from 8am – 3pm.

Bornheim Market on Bergerstraße – Every Wednesday from 8am – 6:30pm, and Saturdays from 8am-4pm.

Schillerstraße – Every Friday from 9am – 4pm.

Ostend at Paul-Arnsberg-Platz – Every Friday from 9am – 6pm.

Bockenheim – Every Thursday from 9am – 5pm.

Open-Air Markets in Frankfurt

From fruits, veggies, to freshly grilled sausage, wine, and everything in between, you’re bound to find something you fancy at any one of these above-mentioned spots.

If you want to get real-time updates about these markets, click the link here. In addition, if you want to stay updated with Five Elements Hostel, like or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. And to ensure you get the best accommodation for your time in Frankfurt, book your room with us at Five Elements! And when you book direct, we guarantee the best price over platforms like Hostelworld or Booking.com. But if you see a discrepancy, simply write us an email and we’ll fix you up. We’re the top hostel in Frankfurt, after all!

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Thanks to global warming, our rooms in Frankfurt can get rather stuffy on those hot summer nights. Gone are the days an open window and oscillating fan are enough to do the trick. As a result, guests asked for air conditioned rooms. Our building had a system from the 90s already installed, but it was partially broken. So, we asked ourselves what we should do. Would it even be efficient if repaired? Should we invest in a new system? Doesn’t an AC system also contribute to climate change?

Research shows that 40-50% of energy used for heating in hotels is for hot water.

Unlike an AC system, hot water is consumed year-round in our hostel. So, we calculated how much this would be in our case. And we discovered our hot water consumption was sufficient to absorb the waste heat of nearly half our space; so we put AC in the lobby and private rooms. And since dorm rooms typically always have the windows open, a fan was efficient enough.

The Total investment was 55,000 €

This cost was covered by our landlord in exchange for an increase on our rent. But what did we have to replace exactly? We refitted and adjust the existing pipe system, so we saved in having to install something entirely new. The cooling devices also functioned well, but some were added or replaced for efficiency purposes. Additionally we added a new compressor which connected with the heating system. And finally, we chose a system which uses no harmful chemicals or toxins. Only pure water is used to cool the rooms, which we think is pretty great!

Our gas bill went down by 10%

This was a bonus for us. And it’s not bad, especially if you take into account that the AC only runs about 3 months of the year. The system is only heats up to 35 °C, so gas is still required to bring it up to 50-55 °C. But since electricity is always more expensive, our bill did increase more than 10% (as expected).

In total we estimate that we replaced about 25,000 KWh of fossil energy with roughly 10,000 KWh of renewable energy. And along with our guests, we gained the comfort of AC to help us through those hot summer days!

Air Conditioning Doesn’t Need to Be a Climate Killer

If you want to stay updated with Five Elements Hostel, like or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. And to ensure you get the best accommodation for your time in Frankfurt, book your room with us at Five Elements! And when you book direct, we guarantee the best price over platforms like Hostelworld or Booking.com. But if you see a discrepancy, simply write us an email and we’ll fix you up. We’re the top hostel in Frankfurt, after all!

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