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Inspiration to make sustainable choices in everyday life

As a student housing company, we have both a positive and negative impact on the world around us. We want to have open and transparent communication about our sustainability challenges, so you can easily follow what we do to reduce our negative impact.

The basis for our sustainability management is the sustainability policy and sustainable operational targets, which are continually updated. Our definition of sustainability is: “AF Bostäder is to act responsibly by developing and managing student housing with consideration for social, environmental and economic sustainability.”

Social sustainability covers matters such as a secure housing environment, a value-creating workplace, innovation and dialogue, diversity, and gender equality. Environmental sustainability includes greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, waste management, and providing inspiration to make sustainable choices in everyday life. Economic sustainability relates to areas such as business ethics, anti-corruption initiatives, environmentally adapted purchasing, a long-term approach, and responsible management of our assets.

Björg Bergsteinsson
Björg Bergsteinsson
HR Manager
046-19 15 34
bjorg.bergsteinsson@afbostader.se

A yellow sign with the text
Towards sustanability

Biotopia – for the insects!

AF Bostäder is setting up an increasing number of areas with an aim to promote insects and birdlife. Biotopia opened in November 2022 – a buzzing housing area for insects.

A woman is sorting her laundry in front of washing machines with the logotype for
Towards sustanability

You have the power. Use it wisely!

In 2022, Sweden was affected by dramatic rises in electricity costs and the risk of electricity shortages, and it became more important to help out in saving electricity for financial and solidarity reasons. AF Bostäder has for many years worked in a target-oriented way on improving energy efficiency, and the initiatives have been continually expanded. During the autumn, the company also launched a campaign to encourage students to be economical with electricity.

Vet leaves
Towards sustanability

Good preparedness for torrential rain

AF Bostäder works preventively on runoff water management in order to reduce the risk of damage from torrential rain. According to a risk review by VA Syd, preparedness is predominately good.

Örtofta plant
Towards sustanability

District heating – a secure basis for a sustainable energy mix

AF Bostäder uses district heating to heat almost all the radiators and hot water in its properties. District heating is a locally produced, easy-to-manage, reliable, resource-efficient and cost-effective form of heating. It is also eco-friendly – 99.8% of the district heating in Lund consists of renewable, recycled heat.

A group of students working on computers
Towards sustanability

Ideas for sustainable housing

In November, Lund University organised Climathon on the theme of Sustainable Student Housing, with AF Bostäder as principal partner. Exciting ideas were contributed by both Lund residents and students.

Demolition
Towards sustanability

Reuse initiatives point to future challenges

The Swedish construction industry has come a long way regarding recycling, and now the focus is increasingly turning towards reuse and circular construction. In connection with demolition work at Kämnärsrätten, AF Bostäder has carried out several successful projects for the reuse of fixtures and fittings. The company notes that reuse on a larger scale requires new knowledge, new networks and far-reaching changes in the sector.

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Enhanced wellbeing in smaller corridors

In order to enhance wellbeing, some of the larger corridors at Delphi has been converted into smaller units. The tenants have been involved in choosing the colour schemes.

Towards sustanability

Ulrikedal gets the best conceivable outdoor life

In a two-year initiative, AF Bostäder has renovated and renewed the outdoor environment at Ulrikedal. In addition to technical maintenance and improved waste systems, the initiative has given the students secure, well-lit bicycle parking spaces, pleasant areas for socialising where lawns and meadows are interspersed with barbecue areas, boule court, outdoor gym and much more.

A blurry biker cycles by on a biking lane. In the background a rapeseed field is visible.
Towards sustanability

Strong focus on indirect emissions in scope 3

AF Bostäder has achieved good results in measuring and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in its own operations and from purchased energy. Now, the focus is intensifying on other indirect emissions. A recent review is to form the basis for reducing emissions from new construction projects and property management.

An insect hotel on a red wooden hide. Green trees can be seen in the background
Towards sustanability

Sedum and meadows promote biodiversity

One of AF Bostäder’s prioritised global goals concerns protecting biodiversity and natural living environments. AF Bostäder promotes a great variety of species by means such as confining new construction to areas with already impervious surfaces and laying sedum roofs. Much remains to be done and several new initiatives are under way.

Well-filled recycling shelf in the Green Room
Towards sustanability

Success for the recycling shelves!

The students can hand in waste such as batteries, electronic devices, light sources and bulky furniture in the Green Room, which also has the popular recycling shelf where objects disappear just as fast as they are handed in.

Towards sustanability

Emissions target for building projects

Since 2020, AF Bostäder has carried out climate impact calculations for all new construction projects, something that will be required by law from 2022. The aim is to map and reduce the impact of new construction on the climate.

Fat container in the Green room at Ulrikedal
Towards sustanability

Fat collection fuels emissions reduction!

Cooking fat that is disposed of in the kitchen sink can cause damage to drains and sewers and attract pests, but if the fat is collected, it can be converted into biofuel. In a pilot project, the students have recycled a total of 700 kilos of cooking fat, and the initiative is now being expanded.

Picture of the smoking area
Towards sustanability

Ash deals with cigarette butts!

Most of us know that cigarette butts should not be discarded on the ground or in nature, but even so they tend to end up there. With a newly started nudging project at Delphi, AF Bostäder wants to inspire more people to dispose of their cigarette butts in the correct way, for the benefit of wellbeing and the environment. At the heart of the project is AF Bostäder’s newly engaged staff member: Ash.

An AF Bostäder employee is using the machine with hot water to get rid of weeds
Towards sustanability

New non-toxic plant protection system uses hot water

AF Bostäder has improved its plant protection system. Now, weeds are cleared from impervious surfaces using only hot water. The system is efficient, eco-friendly and easy to use.

Aerial photo of the construction of Hippocampus, with crane and scaffolding.
Towards sustanability

Introduction of climate impact calculations

AF Bostäder has begun to carry out climate impact calculations for new construction, starting with Hippocampus. The aim is to map emission sources and in time reduce the climate impact of new construction.

8 employees stand and sit with balloons outside the Green Room at Vildanden.
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Green Room inspires reuse

AF Bostäder’s bulky waste stations have been given a new design to inspire the students to minimise their waste, increase their recycling and find satisfaction in reuse. Say hello to the Green Room!

Coworker in a pink electric car
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Continuing challenge to be 100% fossil fuel-free

In 2016, AF Bostäder decided to be 100% fossil fuel-free in terms of electricity, heating, transport and equipment by the end of 2020. A minor volume of fossil fuels is still used, but emissions have been reduced by 92%. Over the next five years, the focus will be on indirect emissions – an area in which the company has the greatest possibility to exert an influence.

Underground waste system by Parentesen
Towards sustanability

Improving the living environment with underground recycling

Area by area, AF Bostäder is replacing all its waste stations with Underground Waste Systems (UWSs). Initially, it entails a considerable investment, but there are many benefits in the long term. Waste sorting increases, waste management becomes more cost-effective and above all the students get a living environment that is clean, tidy and secure.

A pile of clothes, jeans and a pink and a beige sweater
Towards sustanability

Successful textile collection

In Sweden we are good at waste sorting, but only about 20% of clothing is recycled – something AF Bostäder wants to improve. Between 2015 and 2020, the students have collected 130 tons of textiles in easily accessible containers from Human Bridge.

Laudry room with signs about wahsing without fabric conditioner
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A better feeling without fabric conditioner

Most of AF Bostäder’s laundry rooms have automatic detergent dosing, which minimises the risk of using too much detergent. From 2020, all laundry rooms are also fabric conditioner-free, which further reduces the use of chemicals.

Lamp in grass
Towards sustanability

Brilliant energy savings

During 2020, AF Bostäder changed older light sources to LEDs on facades and lampposts, and in stairwells at four housing areas. The switch means more efficient lighting, longer lamp lifetime, increased security and an energy saving of 70%.