Leading in Natural Playground Equipment
For NORNA PLAYGROUNDS, sustainability and responsibility are an integrated and natural part of our development and daily life – it is the core of our business. In a world where sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, we actively work to make both our production, operations, and products sustainable.
When children play on our playground equipment, they are surrounded by FSC®-certified wood, harvested with respect for nature. Our commitment goes beyond just the wood we use. We are determined to reduce our own CO2 footprint, achieved in part through investments in solar energy and geothermal heat. As part of our ongoing effort for nature, we have transformed a former Christmas tree plantation into a biodiversity ecosystem, restoring nature’s balance and creating a habitat for both animals and plants.
By choosing NORNA PLAYGROUNDS as your playground equipment provider, you are also choosing a vision of a greener and more sustainable future for our children.
Wood, nature's CO2 bank
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS’ play equipment is primarily made from robinia wood.
Wood is one of the most sustainable raw materials we have. As trees grow, they absorb CO2. When they are harvested, the wood retains the CO2 it has absorbed, making wood the most CO2-neutral material.
The predominant wood type in most of our play equipment is robinia wood. This wood type possesses many excellent qualities, the most important here being its long lifespan. Robinia has the longest lifespan when in contact with soil. When investing in a robinia playground, the stored CO2 can remain bound for up to 32 years. All our wood comes from FSC®-certified European forests and other controlled sources.
FSC® Certification, sustainable Wood
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), FSC® is the most credible and robust certification scheme for forestry. NORNA PLAYGROUNDS has been FSC® certified for Chain-of-Custody since 2011, which is a traceability certification. This means we must always document the path of FSC® products from the forest to the final product. Download our FSC®-certificate here.
As an FSC®-certified company, we ensure that all wood in our playgrounds comes from sustainably managed forests and other responsible sources This means, among other things, that trees are felled to maintain constant forest cover, rare plants are protected, and the forest’s drinking water and streams are preserved naturally. FSC® certified forests also protects animals that are deeply dependent on natural resources. In addition, sacred places, dwellings, and hunting areas are preserved, and local workers are employed. Moreover, a percentage of the forest’s income is used for local schools, infrastructure, and water supply.
Giving new life to by-products
At Norna Playgrounds, we believe in making the most of every resource and we love when that journey connects with play and imagination. We are especially proud to have supplied Robinia bark shells from our production for Jensnej, one of Thomas Dambo’s famous wooden trolls.
Thomas Dambo is internationally known for building large trolls from recycled and reclaimed materials, inspiring people to see waste as a resource. Read more about the artist Thomas Dambo’s work.
We are now looking into supplying more materials for future trolls. Seeing our production by-products turned into creations that bring joy and spark curiosity reminds us that even small contributions matter and we will keep exploring new ways to use every resource.
Renewable energy sources
With 316 m² of solar panels on our roof and an extensive geothermal heating system, we have taken a significant step in utilizing renewable energy sources.
We purchase any additional electricity as certified eco-friendly power generated by 100% hydropower.
FACTS
Solar Panels
316 m2
Solar Panel Production
51.158 kWh (2024)
Geothermal System
4.000 m of ground loops
Thermia Mega XL Heat Pump, output: 81.9 kW (SCOP 5.3)
Geothermal Production
204.430 kWh (2024)
CO2 emissions 2021-2024
In 2023, we completely phased out the use of gas and achieved self-sufficiency in heating. This resulted in a reduction of CO2 emissions by over 73% compared to 2022. Our emissions dropped from 48.3 tons in 2022 to 12.8 tons in 2023, as illustrated in the graph.
In 2024, our electricity consumption increased slightly compared to 2023. This can partly be explained by increased energy use in the first months of the year, where our geothermal heating system delivered more heat.
We continue to monitor our energy usage and CO₂ performance, our focus is on understanding our own data and setting realistic targets.
All CO₂ calculations are based on location-based emission factors from the Danish Energy Agency. The data and calculations for 2021 to 2023 were validated by Nordic Green Solutions, while the 2024 figures have been prepared internally by NORNA PLAYGROUNDS.
SMART PACKING, environmental responsibility
Our SMART PACKING initiative has reduced our plastic and packaging consumption, and the way our playgrounds are packed helps minimize the environmental impact from transport.
Our unique modular pre-drilling system, SMART ROBINIA, makes SMART PACKING possible. Pre-drilling the equipment allows us to split the shipment and pack in smaller units. These smaller units mean that the play equipment/playground can be shipped as regular cargo along with other goods, reducing the environmental impact from transport.
When packaging, we use minimal packaging and primarily recycled cardboard.
Biodiversity in focus
We have transformed a 8.000 m2 area into a biodiverse ecosystem.
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS’ backyard was previously a Christmas tree plantation, which is a monoculture that reduces biodiversity in and around the area. Diversity is the norm in nature, promoting the basis of life for various animals, plants, and insects.
Our contribution to promoting biodiversity has been to transform the Christmas tree plantation into a certified biodiverse ecosystem. The area now has a variety of native plants that contribute to restoring a piece of original Danish nature.
Additional initiatives
- Machinery and Vehicles: We are transitioning to electrically powered vehicles and tools wherever possible. This is part of our ongoing effort to reduce our CO2 emissions.
- Material Utilization and Waste Sorting: We minimize waste by designing our equipment to achieve the best possible utilization of all our materials. All waste, from production to office, is responsibly sorted.
- Sustainable Partners: We choose suppliers who share our focus on sustainability. They must be able to document their processes and materials and have a willingness to work towards greener solutions.
Global responsibility starts locally
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS has a responsibility to people, animals, and nature. Therefore, we support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. All goals are essential, and through our FSC® certification, we support 14 out of the 17 goals.
We have chosen to focus on the following goals:
12 Responsible Consumption and Production: NORNA PLAYGROUNDS actively promotes sustainable consumption and production methods within the playground industry. Through responsible purchasing of FSC®-certified wood, investing in renewable energy sources like solar panels and geothermal heat, our SMART PACKING initiative, and our efficient use of materials to avoid waste in production, we reduce our ecological footprint.
15 Life on Land: NORNA PLAYGROUNDS is committed to protecting and promoting sustainable terrestrial ecosystems through their business practices. By focusing on using FSC®-certified wood, we ensure that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests where biodiversity and ecosystems are protected, and other responsible sources. Additionally, we have taken steps to actively promote biodiversity by transforming a former Christmas tree area into a biodiverse ecosystem. We aim to support and assist in restoring natural ecosystems and contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity.
17 Partnerships for Action: NORNA PLAYGROUNDS recognizes the importance of partnerships and collaboration in achieving sustainable solutions. We are committed to collaborating with suppliers, local stakeholders, and other interested parties to promote sustainability in the industry. For example, we have partnered with “Let it bee A/S” to enhance biodiversity, and our FSC® certification ensures sustainable wood production.
