Our sustainability actions
What responsible actions we take on your behalf
At Rovaniemi’s Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, we consider responsible practices the foundation of everything we do and continuously develop our operations. Read here about the actions we take on your behalf to make it easier for you to make better choices during your trip to Rovaniemi.
Everyday Environmental Actions – For the Nature of the North
- 100% emission-free electricity and 79.9% renewable district heating in 2024
- Hotel rooms are lit with energy-saving LED bulbs
- Water-saving shower heads and faucets
- Fragrance-free, eco-labeled cleaning agents used in basic cleaning
- Our linens are cleaned at the Nordic Swan Ecolabeled Comforta laundry
- Waste is sorted into 14 different categories
- Food waste minimized through demand-based ordering, waste tracking, food waste weighing weeks, and selling surplus Lunch-meals via ResQ-application
Locally Good – Together with the Region
- Local food and products available in the hotel’s Survival Shop – Annelin Yrtit ja Karkit, HornWorks, and reindeer antler jewelry by small entrepreneur Janica Tervo
- Collaboration with local service providers – summer season campaign for hotel guests to access Rovaniemi’s cultural attractions
- Year-round local charity partner Hope Rovaniemi association
- Other charitable efforts have supported, for example, Lapland's The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, the Pink Ribbon campaign, and the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation
- Cooperation with local educational institutions – enabling internships and work experience for students
- Read more about Osuuskauppa Arina’s actions on the “Heart for Northern Finland” website (in Finnish)
Staff as Enablers of Everyday Responsibility
- Our hotel’s own sustainability team, consisting of hotel and restaurant staff, meets regularly to improve practices towards more responsible ways
- Regular safety training and orientation on responsible practices for our staff
- Staff benefits provided by Osuuskauppa Arina include support for commuter bikes, work shoes, commuting purchases, and overall well-being through ePassi
- A practical annual sustainability survey for our staff in addition to annual company-wide organizational climate survey
As a Guest on a Journey of Responsibility – Small Actions, Big Impact
- You decide the cleaning frequency during your stay – option to reuse towels and bed linens
- Opportunity to recycle waste during your stay in the hotel room, elevator lobbies, and parking garage sorting point – we sort all materials you separate
- We offer tips for responsible mobility – using public transport or borrowing bicycles from the hotel
- In our customer satisfaction survey, we ask you to evaluate and give feedback on our sustainability efforts
- Read more about how you can make a difference during your stay
Our Hotel’s Sustainability Goals for 2025
- A full evacuation drill conducted in May 2025 to prepare for emergencies
- Improving internal communication regarding the progress on sustainability goals and current sustainability topics, with 1–3 internal posts per month. The aim is to improve internal communication, understanding and keep sustainability top of mind
- Department-specific, practical sustainability workshops will be held during spring or early summer department meetings. The goal is to deepen understanding of how we act responsibly in our daily work and how to communicate this knowledgeably
- Procurement decisions consider energy class and sustainability. This year, the ordered new room televisions and minibars are more energy-efficient than previous models
- Increasing the use of local products and partnerships. We are constantly looking for new local products for gifts, the Survival Shop, and hotel breakfast
Read More