Eco-labeled Healthcare Facilities at Vibblaby General Practice

The Vibblaby General Practice is a staff-owned healthcare center in Järfälla, operating under the mandate of Stockholm County Council. Sustainability, both for the environment and individual health, aligns seamlessly with the practice’s core intentions, as the leadership pursues ambitious operational goals. Their commitment includes integrating environmental aspects into all decisions related to the practice, prioritizing materials, products, and services that reduce the clinic’s overall environmental impact. Naturally, this approach extends to decisions regarding their facilities.

“The HI certification is a natural extension of our systematic environmental work. To genuinely reduce the environmental impact of your operations, you need to evaluate the entire value chain, including facilities and interiors. The HI certification has provided us with an effective framework for incorporating environmental considerations into our local and interior design efforts,” says Peter Johansson, General Practitioner at Vibblaby General Practice.

Hållbar Interiör (HI) began as a research project in 2019. Throughout its various phases, the project team, including researchers, collaborated closely with several companies and organizations. Vibblaby General Practice was one of seven organizations participating in a large-scale pilot study during the final phase of the project. Within the clinic’s facilities, the HI certification processes and criteria were tested and evaluated. Given that the facility is not just a typical office environment but a healthcare setting with examination rooms and other areas requiring specialized interior solutions, Vibblaby became a key reference project among the HI pilots.

After the study, participants were invited to apply for HI certification. This involved a thorough inventory and review of their premises against the established criteria. Currently, two of the seven pilot organizations have achieved certification: Vibblaby General Practice and Ogeborg, which includes offices, a warehouse, and a showroom.

Sophia Engström, Business Developer at RISE and responsible for developing the HI certification service, Verification of Hållbar Interiör, explains:

“The HI certification not only brings environmental and sustainability benefits but can also increase property value and reduce costs associated with interiors and facility management. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for organizations in their marketing efforts. Vibblaby already had an established environmental management system certified to ISO 14001, meaning they were systematically addressing environmental issues with well-defined procedures and workflows. Many of the HI criteria align with this approach, such as environmental policies and strategic needs assessments. In general, organizations with systematic environmental practices find it easier to achieve HI certification. Leadership engagement, with management actively driving these initiatives, is another essential factor.”

Significant environmental gains can be achieved by reducing carbon emissions and waste through furniture and interior reuse. An HI certification provides companies with a tangible way to demonstrate their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. While the initial challenge lies in integrating new requirements into operational governance, this effort ultimately saves time and is highly beneficial in the long run. Systematic and planned approaches are always worthwhile, especially when pursuing long-term goals like sustainability.