Tips for the environment

Environment & Sustainability

We are committed to the environment and sustainability at IVA. We work actively to green our operations and contribute to a more sustainable society.

We have run several projects, including the reports Resource efficiency and circular economy, Climate Choices and Sustainable Water Supply has contributed to new approaches.

You can read the reports here.

Environmental work is well thought out and well anchored in the organisation. We have; 

  • LED lights everywhere and presence-controlled in more and more places
  • environmentally certified suppliers such as cleaning companies, laundries, office supplies and florists
  • a collaboration with the Grodan restaurant, which works with a strong focus on locally grown, seasonal produce and a menu that is largely organic
  • an in-house plant that purifies and cools the water from our own tap, so we can serve our guests both still and sparkling water bottled on site
  • waste sorting and leftover food is used to produce biogas

 

Security and safety

Sustainability is of course also about providing a safe environment for both guests and staff so that we can all have a well-functioning everyday life and feel good. We therefore consider it important to be able to offer security and protection against theft, violence, threats, fire and other accidents. To be able to offer this security, our staff are continuously trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, fire safety and evacuation.

 

What can you do for the environment?

What can we do in our daily lives to reduce our environmental impact? There are several things. Here are some suggestions!

Transporters

  • Walk, cycle or use public transport as often as you can instead of travelling by car. One third of CO2 emissions in Sweden come from transport
  • Carpool to and from work, school or meetings
  • Use fuel-efficient cars or cars fuelled by alternative fuels, such as ethanol
  • Take an 'eco-driving' course and learn how to drive economically. It will also save you money
  • Make sure you have the right air pressure in your car tyres. With the right pressure, your car will roll more easily and use less fuel
  • Travel by train instead of flying domestically

Energy in the household

  • Buy and use energy-efficient household appliances. Energy classes A, A+ or A++ are the most energy efficient
  • Use low-energy light bulbs
  • Lower the indoor temperature. By lowering the indoor temperature by one degree, you reduce heating costs by about 5%
  • Save on hot water. Put low-flow nozzles on taps and showers
  • Use lids when boiling or use kettles. Kettles can halve energy consumption and are faster compared to boiling on the stove
  • Your TV and video draws power in standby mode, switch off your appliances completely by unplugging or switching off directly on the TV instead of with the remote control
  • Defrost the freezer at regular intervals. A defrosted freezer uses less energy. Vacuuming behind the freezer and fridge also saves energy
  • Switch off the lights when you leave the room
  • Buy Good Environmental Choice electricity that comes from renewable power sources, such as wind, water and solar

Shop

  • Look at where the goods in the shop come from. Choose locally produced products
  • Buying eco-labelled products, such as the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and Good Environmental Choice, is an easy way to choose products with less or low environmental impact
  • Buy organic food products. The KRAV label can be found on products that are organically grown or products from animals that are better off
  • Drink tap water instead of buying bottled water. Bottled water is transported long distances, which has an unnecessary environmental impact. In Sweden we have healthy, good water in the tap
  • Choose a product with as little unnecessary packaging as possible

Waste

  • Bring old and leftover medicines to the pharmacy
  • Return all used batteries to the battery collection point or to your recycling centre. The aim is to prevent the release of the toxic heavy metals cadmium, mercury and lead into the environment. A good alternative to disposable batteries are rechargeable batteries. Be aware of all the 'hidden', in-built batteries in, for example, cordless devices, calculators and greeting cards
  • Sort your packaging and take it to a recycling centre for recycling. All returned packaging becomes new goods, new packaging or energy
  • Never pour chemicals down the drain. They should be taken to the recycling centre as hazardous waste
  • Take your incandescent, low-energy and fluorescent lamps to the recycling centre. They contain dangerous metals that are disposed of
  • Don't litter and pick up any rubbish you see outside
  • Return your old tyres to the tyre dealer when you buy new tyres

Cleaning/laundry

  • Preferably clean without chemicals, e.g. with a microfibre cloth. A dry microfibre cloth on a long-handled mop can replace a vacuum cleaner on hard floors. With liquid and possibly detergent, it is a good scrubbing brush.
  • Choose eco-labelled cleaning products.
  • Do not buy products that contain chlorine.
  • Ignore all specialised cleaners. Some tips for other methods: T-red removes difficult stains on linoleum floors, vinegar or citric acid removes deposits on toilets and tiles, windows are cleaned with washing-up liquid, the oven is cleaned with soap that is left to work for a while on a low heat.
  • Do not overdose on detergents. It is bad for the environment and for dishwashers and washing machines. Check the water hardness in your area, ask your local authority. The detergent packet will tell you what dosage is suitable for different water hardnesses.
  • Do not wash at unnecessarily high temperatures. With today's detergents, most things get clean at 40 - 60 degrees.