Environment
Doing the Sensible Thing
We measure, follow up and try to improve our daily operations connected to our environmental footprint: energy, water, waste, chemicals, textiles and more.
By June 2026, every ESS destination will be Svanen or Green Key certified, the Nordic region’s most demanding sustainability standards.
Key steps we’ve taken
- 90% of our destinations already carry environmental certifications
- All of the destinations measure the foodwaste
- Meassure scope 1+2+waste, laundry, water since 2025
- Head of Susatinability in ESS +1 local ambassador on every destination since 2023
- ”The Reduce of the Month”, our internal competition finding innovative situations in our day to day to reduce our footprint
- Rewashable spa slippers, used up to 30 times before recycling
- EV Charging Available Across All ESS Destination
What we’re working on right now
- Water: Exploring rainwater tanks for irrigation
- Energy/electricity: Need-based supply, only where guests actually are
- Waste: New sorting routines + on-site baling to reduce volume and transport impact
- Laundry: Roadmap to reduce total laundry volume by 5% in december 2026
- Purchasing: A New Framework with 10 Dos and 10 Don’ts
- Wetland – planning and feasibility studies are being carried out for even more areas of development of the wetlands at Skönabäck.
- Mini farms – planning and feasibility studies are underway to introduce a mini farm with 3–4 animal species, integrated in symbiosis with our land and the guest experience
Actions in place:
Food-Waste Innovation
Today, 1/3 of all food in the world is being wasted.
That’s why we are:
- AI measuring food waste at Maryhill Estate → goal: –30% in year one
- Minibar upcycling → unused items become desserts for conference guests
- Making and distributing hot meals from food waste from Coop at Ystad Saltsjöbad to those in need.
Biodiversity in Our Parks
Meadow projects at Hjortviken Country Club, Maryhill Estate and Ellery Beach House to support pollinators. 450 vines stocks + 3 active beehives at Maryhill → producing honey for our guests and our kitchen. We use our possibilities with the parks to combine guest experince and our own curiosity with biodiversity benefits.
Wetland at Skönabäck
In collaboration with the Swedish Water Council, Skönabäck established a wetland in 2024. Wetlands are among our most biodiverse environments. Around 10% of all red-listed species in Sweden depend on wetlands.
Clean Sea Volunteer Hours
Every destination are doing a clean up every year with their employees. Because too many animals are beeing affected, even dies, regarding to our waste and the amount of microplaastics need to stop. Today every human eat about 1 size of a creditcard of microplasatics every week. If you want to help, please buy one of their braselets and you will help collect 1 kg waste. Please visit www.cleansea.co/
Reusable Spa Slippers
A reusable spa slipper, designed by us. Can be used up to 30 times. Effect: Less waste. Lower energy use. More local jobs.
