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Greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 89% from 2016 to 2018

For the second year in succession, AF Bostäder reduced its greenhouse gas emissions – down by 89% since 2016. The reduced climate impact is mainly due to switching to renewable district heating and electricity.

AF Bostäder has a goal to become 100% fossil fuel-free in electricity, heating and transport by 2020. There is an ongoing transition to climate-smart procedures. Since 2016, the company’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen from 3 363 tons of CO2e to 361 tons. The reduction is due to improved energy efficiency, an electricity agreement for renewable electricity, and more climate-smart district heating. Since April 2018, AF Bostäder’s energy company, Kraftringen, has supplied 100% fossil-free district heating. As electricity and heating for housing accounts for just over 90% of AF Bostäder’s greenhouse gas emissions, the difference is considerable when all energy comes from fossil fuel-free sources. Climate-related initiatives will continue in 2019, focusing on sustainable transport. 


Latest update April 8, 2019

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
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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
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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.

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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
Towards sustanability

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
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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
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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
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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%.

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CO2e emissions have fallen by 92% from 2016 to 2019

AF Bostäder has a goal to become 100% fossil fuel-free by the end of 2020. Challenges remain within the areas of company vehicles and business travel.

Towards sustanability

Good initiatives and inspiration stimulate better waste sorting

In 2019, AF Bostäder renewed its goal for waste management and continued to create simpler waste sorting conditions for the students. The approach involves combining practical and well thought-out measures with encouragement, nudging and inspiration.

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Only sound building materials

Striving for a construction site free from environmentally hazardous products, materials and chemicals is a considerable challenge. AF Bostäder uses the Basta and SundaHus services and notes all products in a digital logbook.

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Sustainability manual introduced for new production

AF Bostäder is in an expansive phase and building student housing on a large scale every year. The company sets stringent requirements for sustainability in its new production and has introduced its own sustainability manual as support for housing development.

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Housing for insects

AF Bostäder opened 25 insect hotels in 2019 as a contribution to our natural surroundings and biodiversity. 

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Waste sorting is better with underground recycling stations

AF Bostäder is replacing more and more traditional waste stations with Underground Waste Systems (UWSs). Waste sorting becomes simpler, management more cost-effective and the living environment is cleaner, neater and safer.

Towards sustanability

New valves ensure more consistent heating

In 2018, AF Bostäder carried out improvements on the indoor climate at four properties. All regulating valves and thermostatic valves were replaced, and tenants now have a more consistent indoor temperature.

Towards sustanability

Business ethics guidelines provide increased clarity

AF Bostäder has a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of corruption. Preventive work is important and therefore new guidelines for business ethics were adopted in January 2018.

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Up to 85% of tenants’ residual waste is incorrectly sorted

An analysis of spot checks in randomly selected housing areas shows that between 70–85% of tenants’ residual waste, mainly food waste, is wrongly thrown away – and could have been recycled.

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Detergent-free laundry rooms, the year’s cleanest news

AF Bostäder opened two new laundry rooms at Vildanden, where the tenants can wash their clothes using only cold water. The new technology reduces both energy consumption and the spread of chemicals.

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Good response to new films on recycling

Resource usage is an area in which AF Bostäder has considerable possibilities to make a positive impact. The target is that 50 % of total waste is to be sorted.

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AF Bostäder’s first Sustainability Report (2017) is here

AF Bostäder has long been involved in active environmental management. During 2016, we began to widening the perspective further and started to report on the activities in a Sustainability Report.

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Almost half of total waste is sorted 2017– and the percentage will increase

Resource usage is an area in which AF Bostäder has considerable possibilities to make a positive impact. Using smart and efficient solutions, AF Bostäder creates good conditions for waste sorting and recycling.

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Setting high aims for lower energy consumption

AF Bostäder works intensively to reduce energy consumption. The focus is on properties built before 2009 and the aim is a 15 % reduction in energy consumption among the older properties in the portfolio by 2019.

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Towards a fossil fuel-free future

AF Bostäder reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by almost 80 % in the period 2016–2017. A contributing factor is the change to renewable electricity in the properties– an initiative suggested by a proactive tenant.

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Sponsor project for young migrants

In the autumn of 2017, ten of AF Bostäder’s corridors and over 50 tenants took part in a social project in cooperation with the pro-inclusion association Föreningen Hållihopp in Lund.

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Don't waste the waste!

When AF Bostäder realized that the cartakers spent about 2-3 full-time posts per year to keep track of the waste stations, the information campaign "Do not waste the waste" was born.

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Congratulations Bokompakt - Solar System of the Year 2015!

AF Bostäder and Bokompakt have been awarded the "Skåne Solar Award 2015" in the "Solar Cells of the Year" class.

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A Swedish Classic? No, a Lund Classic!

If your employees are doing well, then AF Bostäder are doing well! That's why AF Bostäder invests heavily in wellness, happiness and fellowship

Towards sustanability

Halved heat consumption

We continue to optimize energy use in the older property portfolio. That's why we installed our first geothermal plant at Kämnärsrätten - and halved the property's heat consumption.