The list of eco-labels is long, and there are labels for almost every category of products, services, and so on. It can be difficult to figure out which eco-label is right for you. Here, we’ve compiled a brief overview of some eco-labels relevant to kitchens, hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and more. If you’d like to know more about specific labels, we encourage you to contact them directly.
Why use eco-labels?
A 2018 survey by Eco-labeling Denmark shows that more consumers and businesses are using procurement law to demand eco-labels. This means more companies must meet high standards and work towards greater sustainability. This sets requirements both internally and externally in businesses, leading to greater demands on suppliers, partners, and the company’s own practices. (Source: Ecolabel)
Want to meet high environmental standards and save costs?
High demands from customers, businesses, and society increase awareness of green initiatives like eco-labeling. The EU and Nordic countries have some of the highest and strictest eco-labeling standards.
Denmark has the highest eco-labeling standards in the world, with labels in almost every industry, from general labels we all know to industry-specific ones. What they all have in common is high standards and strict requirements that companies must continually adhere to. This applies to everything from products and services to general sustainable development and the company’s own energy consumption.
Which eco-label is right for your company?
With so many eco-labels available and growing demands from consumers, businesses, and society, it can be hard to know if your company is doing enough for the environment. Plus, it can be difficult to navigate which label is right for you, how consumers view it, and whether you can meet the requirements. Below is a brief description of some eco-labels that might be relevant for your company.
Green Key
Green Key is one of the most widespread eco-labels in the tourism industry, used by over 150 companies in Denmark and more than 3,200 worldwide. Green Key is used by hotels, hostels, conference centers, and training venues. It also has sister programs for campsites, restaurants, tourism organizations, and sports facilities, with criteria adapted to each type of business.
How do I meet the requirements?
The Green Key eco-label is based on 13 main points with various criteria, such as LED bulbs, regular energy reporting, and food waste reduction. Green Key and its sister programs are awarded for the calendar year, with a follow-up check after the first year, and every two or three years thereafter. The requirements for Green Key were tightened at the start of 2022. You can read more about Green Key by clicking “here.”
Green Restaurant
Green Restaurant is a sister program of Green Key, targeting restaurants. Green Restaurant covers sustainable food and focuses on protecting the environment, for example, through kitchen energy optimization. The eco-label applies to restaurants, institutional kitchens, cafeterias, street kitchens, cafes, and restaurant chains.
What criteria must I meet?
The Green Restaurant label has four levels, depending on how many and which criteria are met. It includes 15 mandatory criteria, and points are awarded based on the quality of additional criteria. All mandatory criteria must be met to achieve Green Restaurant status. The criteria cover areas like environmental management, cleaning, water use, energy consumption, food waste, organic and environmentally friendly food, and more. Learn more about Green Restaurant on their website “here.”
Green Camping
Green Camping is a Green Key sister program for campsites that go the extra mile for the environment. To be labeled Green Camping, several criteria must be met, such as producing reports on environmental efforts, achieving several environmental goals each year, using eco-labeled cleaning products, and documenting energy consumption.
How do I archieve Green Camping?
To be awarded Green Camping, an application form must be filled out, responding to mandatory criteria in 12 key areas. A consultant will then visit the campsite to help and ensure the necessary documentation is in place. The application is then submitted to a jury for approval, and the company can be awarded Green Camping. Continuous documentation is required to ensure compliance.
To be awarded Green Camping, an application form must be filled out, responding to mandatory criteria in 12 key areas. A consultant will then visit the campsite to help and ensure the necessary documentation is in place. The application is then submitted to a jury for approval, and the company can be awarded Green Camping. Continuous documentation is required to ensure compliance.
Green Sport facility
Green Sport Facility targets sports halls, arenas, swimming pools, ice rinks, and sports fields. It is an evolution of Green Key but focuses on sports while following the same principles and oversight. Today, 74 facilities are part of the program (May 2022), having saved energy, water, and wastewater.
What criteria must sports facilities meet?
The facility must comply with environmental legislation, building regulations, and wastewater regulations. Restaurants, shops, or similar activities associated with the facility are also subject to the criteria. The annual fee per business is DKK 4,800 for small and medium-sized facilities, and DKK 8,600 for large facilities (May 2022). The limit can be viewed at HI or at www.greensportfacility.dk.
Green Tourism Organization
Green Tourism Organization, stemming from Green Key, focuses on the overall sustainability of tourism companies in Denmark, where Green Key focuses mainly on accommodation, particularly hotels. This initiative can also be used for marketing and branding while helping companies meet growing environmental demands.
Why choose Green Tourism Organization?
This exclusive, targeted program enhances a company’s environmental efforts in multiple ways. It can improve the company’s image, attract more guests, and promote sustainable tourism practices. Many tourism organizations today are partly or fully public, where environmental focus is even greater and likely to increase in the future.
Is Green Tourism harder than get other eco-labels?
Green Tourism Organization is similar to Green Key in terms of the application process, documentation, and criteria. However, it is more general and less specific, with 18 mandatory criteria compared to Green Key’s 15. Some new criteria include sustainable promotion, eco-labeled accommodation, and collaboration with authorities.
Their full history and criteria can be found here.
Green Attraction
Green Attraction is an eco-label for attractions, museums, aquariums, and amusement parks, making it easier for guests to find sustainable, environmentally friendly attractions. The process is similar to other Green Key labels but with criteria tailored to attractions. Green Attraction rewards attractions for their environmental efforts.
Are there specific criteria for my attraction?
Green Attraction includes standard criteria but also criteria tailored to specific attractions. Standard criteria cover wastewater, energy consumption, food, waste, and more. There are both mandatory and point-based criteria for all attractions, but specific criteria for museums, science centers, amusement parks, and zoos, including animal parks and aquariums.
You can read more about Green Attraction and find all criteria and application forms at https://www.greenattraction.dk/om-green-attraction/kriterier.
Nordic Swan Ecolabel and EU-Flower Ecolabel
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel and EU Ecolabel are two of the most well-known eco-labels in Denmark, and also some of the strictest in the world. The Nordic Swan is mainly used in Nordic countries, while the EU Ecolabel is the strictest across the EU. These labels can be found on over 29,000 products and services.
More than 9 out of 10 Danes recognize the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, and over 6 out of 10 look for it when choosing products. The goal is to reduce the overall environmental impact from production to consumption. By using the Nordic Swan, you can contribute to a cleaner and richer nature, better chemicals, responsible resource use, reduced climate impact, and a more sustainable future.
What should I be aware of?
The Nordic Swan is the official eco-label in the Nordic countries, while the EU Ecolabel is official within EU countries. If your company operates in or sells to the Nordic countries, you should choose the Nordic Swan. If you are primarily present in the EU or other European countries, the EU Ecolabel is the better option.
The criteria for eco-labeled products and services are continuously tightened as new knowledge becomes available. The criteria for the Nordic Swan are tailored to each product to maximize environmental protection, ensuring an eco-friendly process from production to shelves.
You can find the criteria for the Nordic Swan and EU Ecolabels for each product here.
How can FlexMeter help your company?
At FlexMeter, we specialize in energy measurement, visualizing energy data, and reporting. We can help your company get an overview of your energy consumption, as well as measure the energy use of specific processes. This provides insight into where improvements are needed to meet environmental standards. We can assist your company with:
● Detailed energy consumption measurements
● Comprehensive reports on your consumption
● Making your energy use clear and manageable
● Making your business more sustainable
● Helping you save money and CO2
● Offering an overview and opportunities for improvement