Green Key environmental certificate 

GREEN KEY

Green Key is an international responsibility certificate awarded in the tourism field, and already for over 3700 businesses from over 60 countries worldwide. The criteria for the certificate is based on the goals of sustainable develoment set by the UN. To attain the certificate the requirements demand reducing emissions and pollution, adding social benefits and supporting local economies. The criteria of the certificate are practical and they pay attention to the characteristics of the tourism field.

Green Key is also a program for sustainability. The awarded businesses commit to the permanent development of their operations and must submit a continuation application annually for the jury. The program offers personal guidance, education and communication materials for the awarded operators. The quality of the operations are being validated with regular audits that take place where the business is located. The certificate is being awarded eventually by an external independent Green Key -jury. Green Key has been building sustainable tourism already since 1994.

Youth centre Marttinen has operated in accordance with its values, which has already matched with the requirements of the Green Key, and thanks to the application process has gained even more attention. Here in Marttinen, the application process begun in spring 2021. The process required commitment and expertise from the whole staff as the criteria demands actions in every aspect of the business. The criteria during 2022-2025 includes 13 aspects of sustainable operations: environmental management, training of the staff, customer communications, water, cleaning and householding, waste management, energy, foods, indoor spaces, green areas, community responsibility, recreational services and investments.

For youth centre Marttinen Green Key is an indication of succesful work that includes quality, but is also an important tool that allows Marttinen to offer its customers even more high quality and environmental friendly products and services. 

More information:

Instructor, Siina Leinikka
+358 (0)44 715 1925, siina.leinikka@marttinen.fi

Head of youth services, Sanna Järvensivu
+358 (0)44 715 1926, sanna.jarvensivu@marttinen.fi

https://greenkey.fi/                

The Green Key program is part of the international environmental education organization FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) . In Finland, the Green Key label is issued by and its use is monitored by Going Green Oy, a social enterprise owned by FEE.Finland.

Marttinen belongs to the network of nature and environmental schools LYKE and our activities have a wide variety of environmentally-related options. New environmental education activities have been developed in cooperation with Tampere university's NYT! project.

We also cooperate with local 4H associations.