Check out Cuckoo Hostel- Bengaluru’s new zero-waste hostel

Bengaluru resident Rajat Kukreja gave all the travellers in the country a new and unique destination in the form of Cuckoo Hostel.

The distinct feature of this hostel is the fact that it is the only space in the city that produces zero waste.

The hostel which opened its doors on August 10 was inspired by Kukreja’s belief in eco-friendly living and his time as an Airbnb host.
Kukreja and his friends looked at over 100 properties and ultimately zeroed-in on an old house in Koramangla, which he completely refurbished with the help of his friends and a few volunteers.

They made beds out of industrial packaging, transformed a neglected kitchen into a sink, got local artists to drop in to paint the walls and essentially found a way to reuse and recycle every small and big item in the house.

The team’s efforts paid off as the house now looks vibrant in shades of white and yellow. There’s ample room for ideas to free flowly- with a library and a jam room- where can guests can read, initiate conversations or pick up new skills, habits and even attend some workshops. There is also a terrace garden with old tyres in which vegetables will be grown for the hostel kitchen. The dining space has furniture that has been made by hand using recycled materials. That's not all, Kukreja also rents out cycles which the guests can use to travel around the city.

Apart from all the electrical appliances being energy-efficient, the plan is to compost all the wet waste while the dry waste will be recycled to reduce the surplus garbage. The hostel boasts of great natural lighting and a bright coloured theme which reduced the need for using the lights before dusk.

Kukreja, who is a consultant for educational institution feels like he’s achieved what he had set out in doing- have a space that will introduce people to new ideas, learning experiences and inculcate sustainable values.

The best part? All of this comes at an insanely affordable price. The dormitories are priced at Rs 399 while one would have to shell out Rs 699 for a private room.

So what are you waiting for Get your bags packing. It’s time to go cuckoo.