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Sustainability at Hotel Rangá is one of our top priorities. We constantly look into our day-to-day operations and make every effort to utilize the most environmentally friendly solutions. Read more to find out the ways in which we are supporting both our planet and local community.
SLH Considerate Collection
Hotel Rangá is proud to be a member of the SLH Considerate Collection–a handpicked group of hotels that strive to go above and beyond in measures of sustainability. To be part of the collection, hotels must be community minded, cultural custodians and environmentally conscious. When making decisions regarding Hotel Rangá, we always consider what is best for our planet. Guests at Hotel Rangá can be confident in their decision to travel in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
Reduce, Renew, Recycle
Our policy focuses on three key tenets of sustainability – reduce, renew, recycle. First, we strive to minimize our environmental impact by reducing waste. For example, we have motion sensor lights in our corridors and energy efficient light bulbs. Second, we prioritize renewable energy sources. In fact, geothermal and hydroelectric energy powers our entire property. Finally, we always recycle as much waste as we are able. In short, by reducing waste, using renewable energy sources and recycling whenever possible we minimize our environmental impact.
Go Green for the Environment
Iceland is a land of fire and ice, but these dramatic elements are more than just a scenic backdrop. For example, the country’s incredible quantity of rivers and glaciers are harnessed to produce hydroelectricity. What’s more, geothermal energy is easy to come by via Iceland’s large number of hot springs. In fact, 66% of Iceland’s primary energy use comes from geothermal sources. Therefore, only green and renewable energy sources are responsible for Hotel Rangá’s heating and operation.
Choose Local
At Hotel Rangá we always prioritize local suppliers. From food to furniture, our choice to buy locally directly benefits the environment. Locally grown products require less transportation than products produced outside of Iceland. Therefore, air pollution and fuel consumption is reduced. At the same time, our choice to buy locally supports local businesses by putting resources back into the community.
We are proud to support local Icelandic artists by decorating our property with incredible pieces of artwork. Moreover, many of our rooms feature furniture made by local artisans. For example, our Icelandic Suite features handmade furniture by Ólafur Sigurjónsson of Forsæti farm and wood carvings by local artist Sigríður Jóna Kristjánsdóttir.
Giving Back to the Community
A big part of sustainability is putting resources back into the local community. Supporting local businesses and initiatives helps to preserve the unique cultural identity of a community. What’s more, it can enhance overall economic stability and improve community-wide quality of life. We are proud of our ongoing collaboration with several local organizations including the local school in the nearby town of Hella.
The Yule Lads, a playful group of mischief makers, come down from the mountains in the thirteen days leading up to Christmas. Children across Iceland leave a shoe on their windowsill and are rewarded with a small gift from the Yule Lads – if they have been well-behaved! Students from the school in Hella actually assist the Yule Lads during this festive period. We give our surplus linens to the schoolchildren, who use them to craft special Christmas bags for the Yule Lads’ use at Hotel Rangá. As a token of appreciation, Hotel Rangá donates sewing machines, games and other necessities to the local school.
Our newest collaboration is with Viss – a local work community for people with disabilities. Hotel Rangá supplies Viss with recyclable materials and helpful tools. Viss then creates special gift bags for items purchased at the hotel.
Fresh is Best
Our Rangá Restaurant is well-known for its emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine. We pride ourselves on sourcing the best Icelandic produce and game. In fact, local products are usually fresher and more nutritious. South Iceland is home to many geothermal greenhouses where fresh vegetables are grown year-round. Our nation also has a robust fishing industry. In fact, Hotel Rangá is located right beside the Rangá River – one of the top salmon rivers in the country. We are constantly aiming to serve locally caught fish and locally farmed meat. Our chefs even harvest wild arctic thyme on our property.
Iceland’s First Electric Aircraft
In July 2022, Iceland’s first electric aircraft took flight for the first time. The visionary behind this groundbreaking initiative is actually Friðrik Pálsson, the esteemed hotelier of Hótel Rangá, along with his associate Matthías Sveinbjörnsson. Friðrik is known for his unwavering commitment to green energy. In fact, it is his leadership that has been the driving force in establishing high sustainability standards for Hotel Rangá.
Positioned strategically between Europe and North America, Iceland holds immense potential as a hub for energy exchange in global aviation. The successful launch of Iceland’s first electric aircraft is not merely a standalone achievement but rather the dawn of a new era. It symbolizes the emergence of electric aircraft as a forward-thinking solution that will shape the future of aviation.
Always Innovate and Adapt
At Hotel Rangá, we are committed to green initiatives and constantly updating our processes and procedures to reflect the newest innovations. For example, we no longer provide guests with plastic straws but instead offer paper straws. We also updated our lunch boxes so that they are entirely recyclable. What’s more, we recently ordered natural, plant-based and biodegradable slippers that will be available in June for our guests. Do you have any suggestions on how we could improve our green hotel policies? We are always on the lookout for the newest environmentally-friendly solutions. Let us know at this bottom of this page.
In conclusion, Hotel Rangá goes above and beyond in measures of sustainability. Through our efforts to support the environment, we hope to make our planet in the best condition possible for current and future generations.
