Sustainability at zoku
Welcome to Zoku, where we’re driven by a fundamental truth: there is no plan(et) B. As a proud B Corp, we understand that businesses should do more than just make money. That’s why we’re committed to prioritizing both the planet and people. With sustainability at the forefront of everything we do, we’re setting a new standard for business with a heart.
sustainability is not a hype
Zoku is globally B Corp certified
Besides the energy challenges of our buildings, we’re also focused on other big issues. In today’s cities, people are feeling more isolated, disconnected from their neighbors, and part of weaker communities, and we want to help change that. Our mission is to create inspiring spaces where human connection is seamless, fun and meaningful. Through research, 150+ interviews with our target audience and 7 rounds of prototyping, we were able to create a model that does just that.
In 2018, Zoku Amsterdam became one of the first hospitality company in The Netherlands to become B Corp certified, reimagining what responsible hospitality can look like. Fast forward to 2025, and all four Zoku properties are now officially B Corp certified. We uphold the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance across all four of our properties, which includes a commitment to public transparency, legal accountability and a dedication to balancing profit with purpose.
Our Impact Initiatives
Locally sourced
70% of the healthy food we serve in our Living Kitchen restaurants come from local sources.
Plastic free
As of 2021, we have banned single-use plastic water bottles and straws from all of our locations.
Community conscious
We partner with non-profits and socially-minded businesses to improve our people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
People first
We’ve invested 5000+ hours in our community program, leading to high levels of overall guest satisfaction and fighting travel loneliness.
Our buildings
Did you know that nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions stem from the built environment? Think about it: Most buildings sit idle for a significant portion of the week, wasting valuable resources. But what if we could transform this underutilized real estate into vibrant hubs of activity, all while reducing our carbon footprint?
With cutting-edge technology and evolving work trends, the opportunity to optimize existing space has never been greater. It’s time to reimagine spaces as living ecosystems, where every inch serves a purpose.
At Zoku, we’ve cracked the code on maximizing functionality in minimal space. Our unique approach transforms hybrid lofts into versatile meeting rooms by day and cozy hotel rooms by night. Plus, our Social Spaces are buzzing with a vibrant co-working community, uniting residents, members, and locals alike.
By embracing a hybrid model and repurposing existing buildings, we’re unlocking the potential for spaces to be utilized around the clock, fostering seamless human connections every step of the way. We believe that hybrid use is the future of sustainable and connected urban spaces.
Here's what our Co-founder, Marc, has to say...
“It’s clear that the future of urban developments must be more ambitious than just traditional, single-use buildings. Our ambition is to partner with developers, investors, and municipalities to bring the Zoku concept to new locations, to create a fresh and unique destination that fits with the local context.”
– Marc Jongerius, Co-founder & Managing Director at Zoku
A glimpse into our buildings
Smart use of space
Our aim is to creating a thriving neighborhood for global nomads under one roof.
Rooftop garden
Our moss sedum rooftops cool down our buildings, absorb air pollution and catch rainwater.
Lighting technology
Our use of LED lights, 24V system and motion sensors ensure that we save energy.
Energy-efficient systems
BREEAM & LEED certified
Our buildings meet the highest standards of environmental responsibility.
100% renewable
The electricity powering our building is sourced entirely from renewable energy.
Towards climate neutrality
We offset our carbon emissions
Climate justice is a key part of the equation
In 2022, Zoku Amsterdam became Climate Neutral. With the help of an Environmental Management System (EMS), we’ve began measuring our CO₂ emissions.
By identifying our greatest sources of emissions, we can now work on a reduction plan, set measurable goals and head towards a sustainable future. What we cannot reduce – an equivalent of 746 tons of CO₂, based off 2019 – we’ll offset by investing in a technology-based energy production project, Methane Fermentation and Energy Generation in the Netherlands.
This step goes beyond fulfilling our environmental goals alone. It’s part of fulfilling Zoku’s holistic mission to create spaces that do good for people and the planet. As a certified B Corp, we believe that great hospitality goes hand-in-hand with sustainable, socially responsible business practices that support a better tomorrow.
Ready to See for Yourself?
Find us in Europe's most livable cities:
FAQs
At Zoku, sustainability isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s who we are.
As a globally B Corp certified hospitality company, every Zoku you stay in (Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris or Vienna) follows the same high standards for people, planet, and profit. What makes us a truly sustainable hotel:
100% renewable energy across our buildings (wind + solar), with solar panels on rooftops in Copenhagen and Paris.
Certified green buildings, including Green Key Gold, BREEAM Certificated and Booking.com Travel Sustainable Level 3+.
Zero single-use plastics in our Lofts and Social Spaces.
80% plant-based menus, locally sourced whenever possible.
A full Environmental Management System that tracks and reduces our emissions.
Waste-reduction systems that cut waste by up to 32%, plus creative reuse projects (like mushrooms from coffee grounds and candles from wax remnants!).
Sustainability at Zoku isn’t a checkbox, it’s our built-in operating system.
Green Key is one of the world’s most trusted eco-labels for hospitality.
A hotel must meet strict standards around energy use, water consumption, waste, and sustainability management to earn it.
Zoku Paris holds Green Key Gold, the highest level.
This means that when you stay with us, you’re supporting:
Sustainable operations
Reduced environmental impact
A hotel that goes above and beyond legal requirements
Responsible purchasing and partnerships
Lower water and energy usage without compromising comfort
(Yes, you can still enjoy your long hot shower, just maybe not an hour long one.)
It’s third-party proof that we walk the talk.
A B Corp hotel is part of a global movement of companies that meet the highest verified social and environmental standards. B Corps are assessed across five categories: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. Only companies that prove they balance people, planet, and profit can earn the certification.
Zoku became the first hospitality brand in the Netherlands to achieve B Corp certification in 2018, and today all our locations in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris, and Vienna are fully certified.
We outperform global benchmarks in three key areas that define who we are: Environment, Workers, and Customers. From using 100% renewable energy to fostering an inclusive workplace and building a thriving community of residents and members, B Corp is not a badge we wear, it’s the blueprint for how we operate daily.
Because it guarantees your stay has a positive impact. Being a B Corp means your time at Zoku directly supports:
Fair working conditions for our team
Lower environmental impact (100% renewable energy, waste reduction of up to 32%)
Community partnerships and local sourcing
Transparent reporting and accountable governance
When you stay at Zoku, you’re choosing a hotel that treats sustainability as a responsibility — not a marketing claim.
Look for two things:
1) Recognized third-party certifications
2) Transparent reporting
At Zoku you get both:
B Corp Certified across all properties, one of the strictest certifications in the world
Green Key Gold certified for environmental excellence in Paris
BREEAM Gold building standards
Booking.com Sustainable Level 3+ (the highest level)
Annual sustainability reporting through our B Corp Impact Score and sustainability updates
We openly share our scorecards because transparency is part of being a B Corp and because we believe accountability is the only way forward.
Zoku was built for responsible business travel from day one. We combine the comfort of a home, the ease of a hotel, and the social buzz of a coworking space, all under the umbrella of low-impact design and B Corp values.
Here’s why business travellers choose Zoku:
Powered by 100% renewable energy across all locations
Smartly designed Lofts that reduce the need for multiple spaces (hotel room + office + meeting room → one)
24/7 coworking access that minimizes the need for external venues
Plant-forward menus (80% plant-based) for more climate-friendly dining
Community dinners & events that replace high-carbon entertainment
Long-stay options that lower carbon intensity per night
Whether you’re relocating, onboarding in a new city, or working remotely, Zoku turns sustainable travel into an effortless, everyday experience.
At Zoku, we’ve designed a smarter way to live and work while keeping your footprint low. You’ll enjoy:
A private home-office hybrid Loft with a 4-person work table
Unlimited access to our rooftop coworking spaces
Renewable energy powering your entire stay
Local sourcing for food, drinks, and partner products
Zero single-use plastics in all Lofts
Bikes, public transport connections, and walkable neighborhoods
Everything you need to work productively, feel connected, and live responsibly: under one green rooftop.
Long stays at Zoku naturally create a lower carbon footprint per night, and we reinforce that with intentional choices:
Fully equipped kitchens that reduce takeaway waste
Weekly housekeeping instead of daily cleaning
Low-impact laundry systems
Energy-efficient building management
Rooftop gardens that improve air quality and regulate temperature
Circular practices like turning coffee grounds into mushrooms and wax remnants into new candles
Relocating to a new city shouldn’t cost the planet. At Zoku, it doesn’t have to.
Because sustainability shouldn’t pause when you pack your suitcase.
When you choose a hotel like Zoku, you’re choosing:
A healthier indoor environment (no toxic materials, better air quality, green rooftops that regulate heat)
Spaces that encourage genuine human connection (something business travel sorely needs)
A hotel that treats its employees well
A stay that supports local communities
A dramatically lower carbon footprint
Plus, let’s be honest: sustainable hotels just feel better. The energy is calmer. The air is cleaner. The design is smarter.
When your hotel is aligned with your company’s ESG goals, you’re not just traveling: you’re traveling responsibly.
We don’t just reduce, we redesign. Here’s what we’re proud of:
Renewable Energy: 100% green power, plus rooftop solar panels in Paris + Copenhagen.
Emission Monitoring: A dedicated EMS tracks our GHG emissions to continuously reduce them.
Waste Management: Policy-driven reductions bring waste down by up to 32%.
Circular Ideas: Coffee grounds become mushrooms. Wax becomes new candles.
Green Rooftops: Improve air quality, regulate temperature, retain water, support biodiversity.
Plastic-free Lodging: No single-use plastics in Lofts or Social Spaces
We believe small choices stacked together create meaningful change.
Not at Zoku. We believe comfort and sustainability should go hand-in-hand. You’ll still have:
A spacious Loft with a king-size bed
A full kitchen
Fast Wi-Fi
Beautiful design
Rooftop views
A warm community
Sustainability shouldn’t feel like sacrifice, it should feel like living better.
Our Lofts (your new home-office hybrid) are filled with clever, low-impact solutions:
Zero single-use plastics
Long-lasting materials sourced responsibly
Refillable toiletry stations
LED lighting
Smart climate systems
Modular furniture built to last
A location on the top floors to reduce heating/cooling needs
Plus swappable artwork to personalize your Loft, because sustainability is also about longevity and emotional connection.
Community is one of our B Corp pillars. Here’s how we support ours:
30%+ local sourcing from our significant suppliers
Regular volunteering days, donation drives, and local improvement projects
Events that invite residents, locals, and businesses to learn, share, and connect
Partnerships with fellow B Corps and impact-driven brands
Rooftop gardens that support urban biodiversity
We’re deeply rooted in the neighborhoods we operate in and we believe in giving back.
Yes, but reduction always comes first. After monitoring our environmental impact through our EMS, we reduce what we can, then offset the rest through verified partners. We’re also continually improving our long-term reduction plans to lower what needs offsetting in the first place.
All of them, equally. Zoku Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris, and Vienna each hold:
Global B Corp Certification
Travel Sustainable Level 3+
Environmental Management Systems
Zoku Paris is specifically Green Key certified. Wherever you stay, you’re staying sustainably.
Yes, our sustainability work directly aligns with:
SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
