Sustainability
Our work with "taking care of"
Eco-Lighthouse of the Year 2025
Inspiration Award – audience prize
It was Haaheim Gaard that took the audience prize "Eco-Lighthouse of the Year 2025"! Haaheim Gaard generated enormous engagement and received by far the most votes of the finalists.
"With a clear ambition to safeguard both people, nature and local culture, Haaheim has worked in a targeted and structured manner to improve the environmental aspects of the farm's operations." – Ann-Kristin Ytreberg, CEO Eco-Lighthouse
85 %
reduction in food waste per guest, 2022–2024
30 %
increase in source sorting rate in one year
2022
Eco-Lighthouse certified
To contribute to taking care of our planet, we as a small tourism business must look after the things we can control. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
At Haaheim Gaard we have set some clear focus areas and work concretely and purposefully with what we can influence here and now. We must take care of the local community, secure employment for our people, protect nature, insects and species, reduce food waste and single-use solutions, think locally and sustainably when purchasing – and save energy where we can.
"It is very much about doing as grandmother on Espevær did. She washed bread bags, darned stockings, used shopping bags and made the most delicious dishes from leftovers. She never threw anything away. She took care of every last crumb."
Host Torstein
What we take from grandmother…
- ✦Organic gardening – a heart for everything that grows and lives
- ✦Our conscientious gardener Ingrid
- ✦Locally sourced food from greenhouses and herb gardens
- ✦Social responsibility and local employment
- ✦Reuse of furniture and materials is an important part of Haaheim's soul
- ✦We make locally produced products and gifts with sustainable packaging
- ✦We work hard to reduce food waste
Miljøfyrtårn
An important part of our work at Haaheim Gaard is being Eco-Lighthouse certified. This means we have established an environmental management system that steers our climate and environmental work and helps us achieve continuous improvement. The certification includes specific requirements within working environment, waste, energy, purchasing and transport. Each year we complete a climate and environmental report which is made publicly available.
Focus areas for Haaheim Gaard
Sustainable garden
We will increase the proportion of ingredients from our own garden. No artificial pesticides or fertilisers, and biodiversity will be further developed.
Reuse of furniture and materials
We will buy second-hand where possible and maintain the house and garden for long life and energy savings. We choose suppliers who actively work with sustainability.
Food waste
We will reduce food waste by 30% through optimal menu planning, good kitchen and purchasing routines, and using seasonal and home-produced ingredients.
Source sorting
We will further develop efficient source sorting and be a driver for suppliers to sort out recyclable materials and avoid unnecessary packaging.
Chemicals
We will keep statistics on chemical use and reduce it by 15%. We use suppliers of chemicals with eco-labelling.
Organic, green, vegetarian menu
Our customers will have access to organic produce and vegetarian menus. We map the proportion of organic food using Eco-Lighthouse guidance.
Internal culture and employees
"Taking care" as an internal attitude and value. Competence development, participation, training and focus are key elements in everything we do every day.
Reduced energy consumption
We will reduce operating time to periods matching actual use of rooms: indoor temperature, unnecessary lighting, power to equipment and unnecessary water use.
A local resource – social values
We will engage in and give positive energy to the local community and local cultural heritage, local jobs and local producers of food, services and experiences.
"Social sustainability is warm practice"
The Eco-Lighthouse jury was impressed by the great responsibility Haaheim Gaard takes for the local community and the people in it. We organise heavily discounted evenings for the elderly and contribute gift cards to clubs and associations.
"What Haaheim Gaard does is impressive. They are an old farm with few employees, but they are enterprising, structured and dedicated to sustainability – both socially and environmentally." – Ann-Kristin Ytreberg