Sustainability for you and the planet

At Vår Gård we strive to be part of the solution to the climate challenges. Did you know that over 75% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions come from burning fossil fuels? To make our contribution to a greener future, we have made significant investments in our energy use.

In the kitchen at the hotel, we have installed an advanced ventilation system. This system filters and cleans the air before it is recirculated, which not only improves air quality but also reduces our energy consumption. These pumps are part of a smart combination of ground heating and air source heat pumps, which not only increases the efficiency but also provides a greater effect coverage. This means that we can keep our premises warm and comfortable while at the same time greatly reducing our carbon dioxide emissions and electricity consumption. In practice, this means that we use the heat that blows out in a smart way, creating a circular process where nothing is wasted and we benefit from every unit of energy. Switching to LED lights and motion sensors is ongoing, and to support and encourage environmentally friendly transport options, we have set up several charging stations in our car park, making it easier for our guests and employees to charge their electric cars and thereby reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.

Every step we take to improve our energy use is a step towards a more sustainable future.

One of the earth's most important resources is fresh water, which only makes up about 1% of all water on the earth's surface. In the north, we have plenty of water, but we need to commit together for future generations where climate change affects the availability of clean water. Everyone needs to contribute in their own way, and at the hotel we continuously replace ordinary taps with touch-free or low-flush mixers to ensure that water is only used when it is really needed. We also encourage guests to keep their own towels and forgo daily cleaning if staying more than one night. By reducing the amount of laundry, we not only contribute to saving water, but also to reducing the energy consumption that goes into heating and washing textiles.

Vår Gård has a collaboration with VI forest where we make a contribution that plants a tree in Africa every time a guest chooses to refrain from cleaning the room. This not only contributes to energy savings on site, but also to prosperity and a better environment in vulnerable areas where climate change is a major threat.

Read more about the VI forest

At Vår Gård we are determined to minimize our environmental impact by excluding hazardous chemicals in all aspects of our operations. For cleaning, washing and washing, we only use eco-labelled products, which ensures that we do not contribute to pollution and reduce our ecological footprint. In addition, we have introduced a variety of eco-labeled products and services in the hotel, from the production of profile materials to organic skin care products for a healthier and greener stay.

An important part of our sustainability work is how we manage our waste. We have an effective system for source sorting that helps us minimize residual waste and maximize recycling and resource utilization. In the kitchen, we work actively to reduce our food waste by . We do not use single-use items in our day-to-day operations and offer guests waste bins for source sorting around the entire facility.

It is not possible to visit Vår Gård without a visit to our restaurant or café. Tasty experiences await all guests here. As a restaurant kitchen, we have a great responsibility to deliver a sustainable dining experience for both guests and the environment. The production of food accounts for as much as 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions according to the Swedish Food Agency. Therefore, it is important that we all try to reduce our food waste by planning and consuming in the best way.

At Vår Gård we work actively to reduce our food waste by weighing everything that is thrown away. It helps us identify areas for improvement and be able to measure both kitchen and guest waste to avoid excess. Everything from purchases to the size of the serving can be better optimized when you get a handle on the balance between consumption and availability. We also try to encourage our guests not to put more on their plate than they can eat at, for example, the breakfast buffet. Often the eye is hungrier than the stomach when there is a lot to choose from.

Read more about our food philosophy

As a guest, you can feel safe when you visit a hotel or other business that has been certified by the Swan. Vår Gård is proud to be a Swan-labelled hotel, which means that we follow strict environmental requirements within the industry and have a comprehensive approach to our environmental work linked to energy, water, food waste, biological diversity, chemicals and procurement. We also train all employees in our environmental work annually for increased knowledge and sustainability through all levels.

Learn more about criteria for the Swan