12.10.2024

The Blue Lagoon invited to a networking meeting

"If my business grows, will it be better or worse for society and nature?"

This is a question that the Blue Lagoon management asked themselves when they went through the B Corp certification process, which the company recently received confirmation of. The question is at the heart of the B Corp mission, which is to change the way businesses do business globally. The purpose is based on the premise that all businesses should measure and evaluate the impact they have, for example on the environment, individuals and communities, as well as financial profit.

Festa's member companies heard about this and other sustainability-related topics at a networking meeting at the Blue Lagoon this month, from Helga Árnadóttir, Managing Director of Sales, Marketing and Product Development, and Fannar Jónsson, Quality and Environmental Manager.

Flest þekkja sögu Bláa Lónsins en tengja hana þó ekki við hringrásarhagkerfið. Lónið myndast út frá jarðvarmavirkjuninni í Svartsengi sem var sett á fót á áttunda áratuginum og skilaði afar kísilríku affalsvatni eða jarðsjó. Þegar jarðsjórinn kólnar aðskilur kísillinn sig og þéttir hraunið og því seitlast jarðsjórinn ekki ofan í hraunið. Þannig myndaðist Bláa Lónið. Út frá þessu affalli frá virkjuninni hefur skapast dýrmætt og eftirsótt vörumerki sem í raun og veru byggist á því að nýta það sem var “úrgangur” frá annarri starfsemi.

Another example of a circular economy is the cultivation of microalgae in geothermal waters. Using environmentally friendly technology, the microalgae are fed with geothermal gas, which is rich in carbon dioxide and comes up through the geothermal waters. The microalgae thus bind carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The microalgae are then used in nourishing skin care products.

With the guiding principle of “Wellbeing for People and Planet”, the Blue Lagoon has always emphasized sustainability in its operations, and these emphases are reflected in measurable results. In addition to the number of certifications the Blue Lagoon has received, carbon emissions per guest have decreased by 38% in the last two years and fossil fuel use has decreased by 30% since 2019. The plastic footprint in the guest experience has decreased by 81% and the recycling rate has increased by 20% since the previous year.

We would like to thank the Blue Lagoon and everyone who attended for a wonderful gathering.