Sustainability

At Kalajoen Hiekkasärkät, visitors can easily relax in the embrace of nature, while all comforts and services are still close by.

Tourism promotes personal well-being both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, tourism can also be taxing on the environment.

At Hiekka Booking, we want to do our part in supporting sustainable development and responsible tourism. We aim to guide both visitors arriving to the area and the owners of vacation apartments to act in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner. It is easy to fully enjoy tourism while respecting the unique nature of the area.

Our environmental actions

Examples of how sustainability practices are reflected in our business operations:

• We always use environmentally certified cleaning products and prefer allergy-friendly options whenever possible.
• We recycle all waste generated by our operations and also guide our customers to recycle.
• We believe in the power of collaboration, which is why we always utilize local services whenever possible. We also encourage our customers to make use of local services.
• We are partners in local events and annually support local children’s and youth sports clubs with various sponsorship contributions.

• Pets are also welcome to stay with us – at no extra charge. We also offer allergy-friendly apartments.
• We recycle lost items left in our apartments as much as possible. For example, usable forgotten clothes and items are donated to a local thrift shop. Towels, sheets, and old blankets and pillows are sent to the local animal shelter and pet care facility to be repurposed into pet bedding.
• Our company is 100% local to Kalajoki, including in terms of ownership! Our employees are experienced professionals who have worked in the field and the Kalajoki area for many years. We have strong local knowledge!
• We collaborate with the local vocational school and offer internship opportunities for students. Young people are the future of the tourism industry, and we want to support them in taking their first steps on their career path while sharing our expertise.

Tips for a more responsible vacation:

• Turn off lights and other devices when you leave the apartment and immediately after use. Unplug electrical appliances when you no longer need them.
• Don’t waste water. Use it wisely and sparingly.
• The ideal room temperature is 20–22ºC. If the apartment has a cooling air conditioning unit, avoid setting it to a lower temperature and turn off the device when you leave the apartment.
• In summer, keep the curtains closed to enhance the ventilation effect. This will prevent the room temperature from rising too high.
• Outside the summer season, make sure that doors and windows are closed to keep the warmth inside.

• If any device in the apartment is broken, please notify the staff. Broken appliances consume more energy.
• Recycle the waste generated during your stay according to the recycling instructions found in the apartment’s information folder.
• Use the cleaning products available in the apartment according to the dosage instructions.
• Only run the dishwasher or washing machine with full loads.
• Support local businesses: when visiting the area, use local services such as grocery stores, activity providers, factory outlets, and make reservations through businesses’ own websites and booking platforms. This ensures that the business remains truly local and doesn’t end up as a commission fee for foreign booking operators.
• The distances in the Hiekkasärkät area are short, so whenever possible, walk or cycle to your destination.
• Electric car charging stations are available at locations such as Hiekkasärkkien ABC, Kohtaamispaikka Loisto, Tapion Tupa, and in front of Santa’s Resort & Spa Hotel Sani.