THE NORDIC SWAN ECOLABEL
At Sommerro, we care about doing things the right way—both for our guests and for the planet. That’s why we’re proud to carry the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the official ecolabel of the Nordic countries. Established by the Nordic Council of Ministers, it helps consumers, businesses, and public institutions make sustainable choices with confidence.
Being certified with the Nordic Swan is more than a badge—it’s a commitment. At Sommerro, sustainability isn’t a checklist. It’s how we run every part of our hotel, from kitchen to housekeeping, from energy use to the products we choose.
Thoughtful food & drink
It all starts in the kitchen. We prioritize organic ingredients, responsible seafood, and a wide range of vegetarian dishes. Palm oil is never on the menu. By measuring food waste and composting leftovers, we reduce our environmental footprint while still delighting our guests.
Responsible waste & resource use
Everywhere in the hotel, we sort and recycle, conserving energy and materials. Continuous team training and careful monitoring ensure we keep improving, day by day.
Safer products for people and planet
From cleaning products to linens, towels, and bathrobes, we choose certified, eco-friendly options wherever possible. Even our paper and everyday essentials carry ecolabels, keeping both people and the environment in mind.
Energy & water efficiency
We recover heat from ventilation systems and wastewater to warm our building and supply hot water. All electricity comes from renewable sources, and we pay a premium to guarantee it. These small steps add up to a big difference.
More than a label
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is more than a label—it’s a promise we live by every day. Warm welcome to Sommerro.
THE SOMMERRO STANDARD
Our Commitments to Sustainability
To ensure we live up to our ambitions, we’ve developed the Sommerro Standard — nine guiding principles that shape everything from daily operations and procurement to how we care for people and the planet. This is our promise for a more sustainable future, and it’s embedded in our staff training and the experiences we offer our guests.
1. Recharge: 100% Renewable Energy
Sommerro is powered exclusively by renewable energy and certified BREEAM Very Good. Our energy systems are optimized using natural refrigerants, advanced ventilation, and heat storage in our pools.
2. Forget Trends
Sustainability is about longevity. The restoration of Sommerro focused on preserving the 90-year-old building and designing interiors that don’t need replacing with every trend. We chose durable materials that can be repaired instead of discarded.
3. Embrace the imperfect
Traces of a life well lived make both people and places more beautiful. At Sommerro, we celebrate what isn’t flawless. We value longevity over replacement, allowing materials and interiors to reflect the passage of time. Imperfection tells a story — adding soul and character to every room and every person.
4. A Sustainable Food Philosophy
Our food philosophy, “Colorful Food,” highlights healthy, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. All seven of our restaurants offer delicious vegetarian options, sustainable seafood, and house-made alcohol-free mocktails. We track and reduce food waste using smart tools, and all food scraps are composted and used as fertilizer in our gardens.
5. Pure water, fresh air
We have removed all bottled water from minibars and restaurants. Instead, we provide our own water carafes, water stations on each floor, and reusable Sommerro bottles for guests.
6. Reuse and recycling
Quality, reuse, and recycling are part of our daily operations. We collaborate with Sisters in Business, a social enterprise that provides work for women with immigrant backgrounds, to reuse textiles for pillows, shopping bags, and uniform repairs.
7. Caring for people
We care about everyone who works with, visits, or collaborates with us. That’s why we invest in an inclusive and safe work environment and create space for well-being and personal development.
8. Support local businesses
We are proud to be part of Frogner and work closely with local partners such as Bendik Kaltenborn, Den Dama, Blooming and Åpent Bakeri. By shopping locally, we support small businesses that give the neighborhood its unique character.
9. Experience nature
Sommerro is a fantastic place to be, but we encourage all our guests to explore Oslo’s parks, fjords, and forests. Nature is part of the Sommerro experience—so go out and enjoy it!
More Than Just a Hotel – Our Sustainability Initiatives
Our sustainability efforts go beyond the hotel walls. Here are a few initiatives we’re proud to support:
🌊 OASEN – Free Swimming Lessons for Youth
In collaboration with Norwegian People’s Aid, we offer free swim lessons at Vestkantbadet for youth who haven’t had the opportunity to learn.
🔗 Learn more
🍽️ Fighting Food Waste with eSmiley
We use eSmiley to monitor and reduce food waste, helping us minimize our environmental impact.
🔗 Learn more
🌿 Eco-Friendly Chemical Handling
Through EcoOnline, we ensure that all chemicals we use are environmentally friendly and safely managed.
🔗 Learn more
🎄 The Lonely Christmas Tree – Giving Back for the Holidays
Our “Lonely Christmas Tree” initiative supports those in need during the holidays through donations and shared community.
🔗 Learn more
🏆 Certified Sustainability
Sommerro is ISO 14001 certified through Nordic Choice Hotels, and we are constantly working toward a more sustainable future.
♻️ Ureist – Composting for a Greener Future
All organic waste at Sommerro is composted through Ureist, turning it into nutrient-rich soil for local gardens.
🔗 Learn more
See how composting at Sommerro works in practice in the video below.
Red, Yellow, and Green List – Why It Matters
We are committed to serving food you can feel good about.
🐟 Animal welfare, sustainable farming, and the climate impact of food are more important than ever.
🌍 Climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss, creating dangerous living conditions for countless species, and drastically reducing plant and animal populations on Earth.
To make responsible food choices, we follow a red, yellow, and green list that helps us avoid the least sustainable ingredients and promote those that are better for the environment and future generations.
🔗 See our sustainable food list
