Sustainable service providers - Part 2

At Restavracija Strelec at Ljubljana Castle, where chef Igor Jagodic impresses with his culinary masterpieces, they had already been sourcing from local and regional suppliers and using returnable packaging with minimal plastic even before obtaining the Green Key certificate. They also prioritized fresh, seasonal ingredients as much as possible.

“Our kitchen is known for following a zero-waste concept. We don’t just focus on what we buy, but also on minimizing waste – we try to repurpose almost everything and ensure that what we purchase is eventually served,” explains Jagodic. Guests are encouraged to use as little water, hand soap, and paper as possible, and to take the funicular up to the castle instead of driving.

The Green Key certificate motivates them each year to introduce new practices, such as reducing water flow on certain taps, using less plastic wrap for food, or cutting back on cleaning paper. “For those of us who already think this way, the certificate isn’t that essential –  but it does nudge the rest of the team, who may not yet have that mindset, to start acting accordingly,” Jagodic adds.

Hostel Celica, managed by the public institution Ljubljana Castle Public Institute, also holds the Green Key certificate. According to hostel professional associate Linda Hribar, the certificate represents an important step forward in their commitment to responsible operations and further strengthens their dedication to environmental protection. Among their sustainability measures, she highlights water and energy conservation, waste reduction, and the use of local products – all of which also help reduce operational costs. They place significant emphasis on collaborating with local organizations and artists, thereby strengthening community ties and supporting the local economy.

Austria Trend Hotel Ljubljana, which primarily hosts business guests and athletes, goes beyond environmental commitments by embracing other pillars of sustainable development as well. According to the hotel’s director, Jernej Osterman, they work closely with an association focused on mental health, which includes people with challenging life experiences, from alcoholism to domestic violence.

“We’ve taken them to numerous sports games so they can integrate into a normal social environment, as most of them have very low or no income at all. We provide experiences such as taking photos with the entire Cedevita Olimpija team. Every year we organize a lunch or dinner for them to spend some time together, and we often visit them for a chat or a picnic. We also help them with bedding, sheets, towels, and beds,” Osterman explains.

They also cooperate with a center for visually impaired and blind youth in Ljubljana, offering practical training where young people can carry out tasks independently according to their abilities – such as handwork like polishing cutlery. This helps foster a sense of equality, independence, and belonging.

The hotel’s sustainability efforts under the Green Key certification also include working with Slovenian suppliers.

“We try to involve smaller producers in the hotel’s distribution chain. For example, in our souvenir shop, we offer products from a well-known stonemason from the Karst region, such as a salt shaker with a wooden lid, vases, plates, ashtrays – elegantly packed in cardboard boxes. These make beautiful business gifts: Slovenian products made from native Karst stone, and every piece is unique because it’s handmade. We also sell Slovenian olive oils in the shop,” adds Osterman.

At the Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel, which also holds the Green Key certificate, plastic, coffee capsules, and tea bags are not used. Instead, guests are offered freshly ground coffee from a Slovenian company, roasted exclusively for the hotel, organic teas, and other Slovenian products in glass packaging. The entire restaurant offering is based on seasonal ingredients that are organic and sourced from local farms. The hotel also uses only organic and locally produced cosmetics as well as eco-friendly cleaning products.

“We encourage guests, with a spark of inspiration, to use water sparingly and to change bed linen and towels in moderation. At the same time, we raise awareness about the quality of our drinking water – upon arrival, guests receive reusable bottles, which helps reduce waste even during excursions,” says Tjaša Baskera, Head of Sales and Marketing.

A large portion of the furniture and accessories in the rooms is made from recycled materials or has been restored – such as a chair crafted from recycled fishing nets.

As Baskera further emphasizes, the most important thing for them is team relationships: “We learn from one another, grow together, and navigate toward new adventures with respect. Every team member is immersed in the culture of Zlata ladjica and practices sustainable behavior even outside of working hours. This way, we spread awareness about the positive effects of caring for the environment and encourage others to adopt eco-friendly habits.”

Nomago, a provider of comprehensive solutions in sustainable mobility and travel, demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development and climate action through internationally recognized certifications such as ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and Green Star. The company strives to ensure environmentally friendly transport that supports tourist destinations, local residents, and tourism providers.

In addition to organized private and group transfers, Nomago showcases its sustainability efforts by expanding its public bike and e-bike rental system. Its offering includes more than 600 regular and electric bicycles across 17 municipalities in Slovenia, which, as Peter Žnidaršič, Head of Micromobility Development at Nomago, explains,“allows locals to avoid traffic congestion and gives visitors to Ljubljana a unique opportunity to explore the city through the experience of an electric bike.”

Curious to dive deeper? Check out the first part of our presentation on sustainable service providers!