To achieve our sustainable goals, it’s crucial to understand how we’re currently doing. That’s why we continually review monitor, and report on the environmental and ecological impacts (scope 1-3) of our operations and services. We collect data that helps us to measure our impact and accurately report on our sustainability goals.
We use various data capture platforms, documentation, verbal and pictorial evidence to ensure we can provide evidence that can be scrutinised internally and externally.
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scopes 1,2,3
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As a sustainably driven cleaning company, we are committed to seeking sustainable solutions and eco-friendly cleaning methods that minimise our carbon footprint and are kind to the environment. By carefully selecting equipment that saves energy and water, and using chemical free products, we reduce the environmental impact of our operations, cut down on waste, and enhance the sustainability of the spaces we clean and the wellbeing of those who use them.
Chemical Free
Reducing Energy
Reducing Water
Planet Mark is a sustainability certification provider helping organisations to reduce carbon emissions and reach Net Zero. As a company aligned to our own values and desire to affect change, we embarked on certification with Planet Mark in January 2021.
Our goal was to drive sustainability forward within the business, become the most sustainable cleaning company in the UK, and to protect our planet to secure a brighter future. Since partnering with Planet Mark we have been able to make informed decisions about how to enhance the sustainability of our business by reducing carbon emissions, creating operational efficiencies and work towards our goal of transitioning to Net Zero by 2030.
So why Planet Mark? Their credentials speak for themselves, as they are certified with over 800 organisations across different sectors, with key clients including Eden Project, Fortnum and Mason, and SoluPak. With a growing team of over 60 dedicated professionals, a growing client list, their brand vision is to be the most easily internationally recognised sign of progress in sustainability. It’s this that has established Planet Mark’s market position as being a leader in sustainability certification.
We believe in the power of collective action to halt the climate crisis and embrace sustainability. Planet Mark members share this common purpose. When you see an organisation that is Planet Mark certified, you know they are driving continuous positive change through their actions, people, and reach. Planet Mark's vision and our dedication to sustainability make a powerful combination. We welcome you to join us in the movement for change. Together, we can drive continuous positive change and secure a sustainable future for all.
Greenhouse emissions are the emission of various gases into the Earth's atmosphere, including Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and Water Vapour.
These are broken down into three categories to better understand the source according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, and the different kinds of emissions a company creates in its own operations and through its suppliers and customers.
This lets a company better understand their wider value chain emissions and focus their efforts on the greatest reduction opportunities.
Scope 1 includes all direct emissions from the activities of company-owned and controlled resources. Scope 2 includes indirect emissions, such as from the generation of purchased energy from a utility provider. Scope 3 includes all the indirect emissions not included in Scope 2 that occur in the value chain of reporting company.
For example, this encompasses emissions that are not produced by the company itself, but when we buy, use and dispose of products from suppliers.
Scope 1 | All direct emissions from the activities of company-owned and controlled resources. |
Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy from a utility provider. |
Scope 3 | All indirect emissions not included in Scope 2 that occur in the value chain of the reporting company. |
In 2023, we won Planet Mark’s award for Best Supply Chain Engagement acknowledging our efforts to advance sustainability standards within our industry. Since launching our sustainable business strategy to Create Better Places in 2022, we have made client collaboration a priority, and were honoured to receive this award for our commitment to supply chain engagement. In the same awards we were shortlisted (2022 and 2023) in the Best Company category.
We proudly won a Green Apple Environment Award for our Office Building Refurbishment project in 2023. After carefully designing our new space to be sustainable for the long-term, it was an honour to be acknowledged for this environmental commitment as we strive to be the most sustainable cleaning company in London. Making our Service Support Centre a sustainable workspace is just one of the many ways that we have been investing in our planet's future.
In 2023 we were shortlisted for a Living Wage Champion Award by the Living Wage Foundation. This award celebrates those that have made an outstanding contribution to the movement for fairer pay in the Recognised Service Provider category. We choose to pay a wage that reflects the true cost of living and believe that our colleagues deserve fair pay that reflects the true cost of living. As a business, we strive to be a responsible employer and were so proud to be shortlisted for this award.
We aim to find sustainable solutions that work for ourselves and our clients, but we love when our efforts also create a positive impact on local communities. In 2022, we started using the innovative iMop scrubbing machine after discovering its partnership with the Made Blue Foundation. Made Blue use funds raised from their products to build wells in areas around the globe without access to clean drinking water, generating donations on behalf of their customers based on the usage of their products.
The iMop is in use across many our clients’ buildings and each one equals a donation of 18 litres of clean drinking water for each day it’s used. To date, we have donated more than 200,000 litres of water to some of the world’s poorest communities.
Supplier Engagement has remained a priority since we began our journey as we quickly realised that we cannot achieve our sustainable ambitions without the support and alignment of our service partners. Since joining forces with Planet Mark in 2021, we have made it our mission to embed sustainability into every aspect of our business. To this end, we took it upon ourselves to create a wider education initiative to upskill colleagues and service partners, ensuring our journeys and goals are aligned, and we work collaboratively towards a more sustainable service.
A key part of this initiative is our in house delivered IOSH training from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. This training is offered to colleagues, clients, and service partners, focusing on workplace safety and sustainability. The course enhances understanding of sustainable business practices and helps everyone involved to become more knowledgeable and proactive about sustainability.
Through our supplier engagement efforts, we have gained client trust and now have a robust process in place to collect and share data from our supply chain. This means that we can now provide emissions data for our clients down to a specific building, as well as for the products we offer. As a result, our Service Partners are more knowledgeable and are confident discussing emissions and challenging their suppliers to improve. Impressively, two of our service partners have also joined Planet Mark to begin their net zero journeys.
By continuously educating and engaging our suppliers, we are fostering a collaborative environment where sustainable practices are prioritised, and collective progress is made toward our shared goals.
We want our company to live and breathe sustainability, promoting environmental best practices in line with our strategy to Create Better Places. Investing in the sustainability of our business is just one of the ways that we’re working to secure a better future, and we’re proud to have won multiple awards over the last year that acknowledge our hard work in this area, and to have been nominated and shortlisted for many more.
In 2023, we won Planet Mark’s award for Best Supply Chain Engagement acknowledging our efforts to advance sustainability standards within our industry. Since launching our sustainable business strategy to Create Better Places in 2022, we have made client collaboration a priority, and were honoured to receive this award for our commitment to supply chain engagement. In the same awards we were shortlisted (2022 and 2023) in the Best Company category.
We proudly won a Green Apple Environment Award for our Office Building Refurbishment project in 2023. After carefully designing our new space to be sustainable for the long-term, it was an honour to be acknowledged for this environmental commitment as we strive to be the most sustainable cleaning company in London. Making our Service Support Centre a sustainable workspace is just one of the many ways that we have been investing in our planet's future. In addition to this, we have also been recognised as a Green World Ambassador, recognising those that help others to help the environment.
In 2023 we were shortlisted for a Living Wage Champion Award by the Living Wage Foundation. This award celebrates those that have made an outstanding contribution to the movement for fairer pay in the Recognised Service Provider category. We choose to pay a wage that reflects the true cost of living and believe that our colleagues deserve fair pay that reflects the true cost of living. As a business, we strive to be a responsible employer and were so proud to be shortlisted for this award.
Our commitment to client engagement extends beyond traditional business interactions. Through our active involvement in charity partnerships, we’ve found an excellent opportunity to give back to our charity friends while fostering collaboration across social and formal events with our clients.
Investing in the development of our teams means that we benefit from industry experts who can help us to achieve our goals. We’ve got a strong history or attracting and retaining talent and that’s largely down to our commitment to, and treatment of our staff.
Our supportive and sensitive approach places a focus on the wellbeing and development of our colleagues. Over the years, we have worked to make our workplace one where our people feel supported and inspired to reach their full potential, and where excellent work comes with reward and recognition.
Having designed our sustainable workspace, we wanted it to be one where colleague wellbeing could thrive. We transformed the look and feel of the interior through the refurbishment, updating the building to create a light, calm, and functional space and creating a wellbeing room. Our goal was to offer our workforce a healthy and happy environment with a culture of equality, progression, and support. In line with our Putting People First pillar, this was the beginning of our path to championing and prioritising colleague wellbeing and satisfaction.
We seek to be the very best employer that prioritises being caring, inclusive, and socially responsible, and our benefits package exists to uphold this. BHSF RISE is our colleague health and wellbeing service and offers our teams 24/7 access to personalised, on-demand advice and support from a team of mental health, financial, and legal experts. With a 24-hour GP, free flu jabs, mental health first aiders, and the wellbeing hub that includes a 24/7 counselling service, our colleagues get the support needed to thrive in their roles.
The benefits are valued within our business, with more than 9% colleagues using RISE. By offering meaningful support, investing in wellbeing, and developing our colleagues, we can attract and retain the best talent and consequently ensure that each team member is an expert in their role.
Providing safe and healthy work environments also means paying a fair wage, offering welfare training, and not using zero-hour contracts. As a Recognised Service Provider with The Living Wage Foundation, we are committed to paying fair wages and pro-actively encourage our clients to pay a Real Living Wage. Through client collaboration, 85% of our colleagues are now being paid the real living wage, demonstrating our dedication to supporting colleagues’ wellbeing and promoting a fair and inclusive work environment.
We have always been aware of the impact of our business operations on the environment and the need to manage this closely. Cleaning, traditionally, has been an industry where use of chemical-based products amongst a transient unengaged labour force poses a challenge to being sustainable if not managed carefully. The way we think about cleaning is changing however, and in 2021 we launched our sustainable business strategy,
‘Better Places’, with an aligned purpose and vision.
This was a set of commitments and business objectives designed to govern how we operate across all business areas, and provide guidance and strategic direction on decision making. The intent being that our business should be governed sustainably against the strategy parameters.
The strategy has four focus areas under which key business activities and commitments were outlined.
We recognise the increasing challenges posed by climate change and how these affect all businesses and communities. We are proud to have held ISO 14001 for a considerable period, which is managed by our HSQE Director, Gary Williamson. This certification provides us with a structured and internationally recognised framework to manage our environmental risk and take advantage of any opportunities to continually improve.
Sustainability is firmly embedded in our environmental management systems. Our proactive approach has led to real results over recent years, including significant waste reduction, lower fuel usage, and boosting our team’s environmental awareness through IOSH Environment for Business Courses. We are transforming how we operate and having ISO 14001 supports our efforts by enhancing environmental performance, ensuring we follow regulations, and showing our commitment to building a sustainable future.
ISO 14001 is also key to our risk management. It improves our processes and provides external verification of our controls, helping us to show operational excellence and meet our commitments to stakeholders. To us, the certification means that we only say things we can prove. We’re serious about our environmental responsibilities and it’s important to us that we can demonstrate this. By including climate action requirements, ISO 14001 helps us go beyond compliance to drive real change.
Our Sustainability strategies are all about being better today than we were yesterday. ISO 14001 marks are evidence that we are doing things properly when it comes to sustainability, quality and environment, which also builds trust amongst all stakeholders and clients. Staying aligned with this international standard is crucial for us now and in the future.
Since teaming up with Planet Mark, we've made smarter choices to boost our sustainability. With their tools and structure, and our determination and transition plan, we’ve cut down carbon emissions, improved operational efficiency, and are committed to hitting Net Zero by 2030.
Planet Mark’s reporting frameworks let us accurately measure our impact, giving us the structure of what to focus on when it comes to sustainability. We aim to lower carbon emissions and increase social value, and by sharing our data with Planet Mark, they certify our results. This shows us and our clients that our efforts are paying off and highlights areas to focus our attention to become even more sustainable and socially responsible.
Thanks to Planet Mark, we regularly review monitor, measure, and report on the environmental and ecological impacts (scope 1-3) of our operations. Their TOMs reporting framework helps us to track not just carbon but also social value, giving us the insight we need to see our impact and act on it.
Our partnership with Planet Mark has helped us to set carbon emissions targets and plan our path to Net Zero by 2030. Their support keeps us on track, so that we’re always transparent about our progress. With annual certifications for carbon emissions and social value, we get a clear picture of how we’re doing and can adapt where necessary. Striving to be the UK’s most sustainable cleaning company, our focus will always be on continuous improvement and being open about our journey.
At our core lies an ethos of giving back to our communities through sponsorship, volunteering, and fundraising. Our focus is not just on the number of hours volunteered, but on the tangible impact we can make. We emphasise the local nature and impact of our efforts, ensuring that our actions tie into our strategy to Create Better Places.
This has always been a part of who we are, so social value forms a fundamental part of our DNA. That’s why we encourage all colleagues to participate in our activities, offering two volunteering days a year to ensure that everyone can positively impact the communities in which they live and work.
At our core lies an ethos of giving back to our communities through sponsorship, volunteering, and fundraising. Our focus is not just on the number of hours volunteered, but on the tangible impact we can make. We emphasise the local nature and impact of our efforts, ensuring that our actions tie into our strategy to Create Better Places.
This has always been a part of who we are, so social value forms a fundamental part of our DNA. That’s why we encourage all colleagues to participate in our activities, offering two volunteering days a year to ensure that everyone can positively impact the communities in which they live and work.
We are proud of the following statistics, which highlight our commitment to volunteering and social value: TOV edit
- Hours volunteered: Over the last year, we dedicated 732.5 hours to volunteering.
- Volunteer hours per employee:
- Monetary value of volunteering, fundraising, and sponsorship
In the past two years, we have undertaken several key fundraising activities, contributing significant value to our organisations. Highlights include:
- August 2023: Football Tournament for St Mungo’s: £1489 ?
- November 2023: St Mungo’s Abseil
- June 2023 CBRE Bike Ride: raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support They have raised an incredible £3,450 for Macmillan.
- May 2024: Dementia Action Week for Alzheimer’s Society
- June 2024: Nuts Challenge for St Mungo’s
Our partnerships extend beyond financial contributions. We offer our time and skills to support organisations, including Employment Fairs with local councils and CV advice sessions with Circle Collective. These opportunities allow us to leverage our day-to-day skills to benefit local organisations and communities more effectively than a monetary contribution might provide. Fundraising is still important though and our endeavours add significant value to some community groups. Through these collective endeavours, we continue to make a meaningful difference, living up to our commitment to create a better world.
Scroll here to read more about our key charitable relationships.
Giving back to our community has always been a part of our agenda. Our founder Terry was devoted to local initiatives, including contributing vast amounts of time and funding to a youth club in Bermondsey where sports keep young people off the streets. This has led to a strong culture of actively supporting various community projects and local charities throughout our history.
Our charity events and social value initiatives have been a wonderful vehicle for strengthening partnerships with clients while giving back to our communities. From partnering with JLL on pamper days and teaming up with Cushman and Wakeman for Thames 21 initiatives, to CBRE’s support on IOSH initiatives and Bellrock’s involvement in employment fairs, our collaborations have yielded tangible results.
These initiatives showcase our dedication to working hand-in-hand with clients to make a positive impact. We take the time to form strong long-term relationships with our clients, colleagues, and service partners. By aligning our values and fostering shared success, we've created a foundation for collaboration that extends beyond business transactions. Our joint efforts have not only strengthened our relationships but also created lasting value for our communities.
Our mantra is that we achieve more together. As we continue to work side by side with our clients to achieve success in both business and social and environmental impact, we look forward to creating a brighter future together.
We want our teams to flourish, so invest in training that supports professional and personal development. Offering bespoke comprehensive training that includes sustainability, customer experience, mental health, cyber and neurodiversity awareness, we provide training through two main routes. One is online, self-administered courses via Uhub while the other is through our SME’s delivering personal support either in person or remotely.
Our IOSH Training from The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health is given to colleagues, clients, and service partners. Focused on workplace safety and sustainability, the course helps attendees to level up their understanding of sustainable business practices.
We’re also investing in the future by providing apprenticeships within our business. By offering an avenue into our industry through apprenticeship schemes, we are offering opportunities to our communities where they might otherwise be unavailable. Our aim is to help shape the next generation of industry experts to push environmentally friendly practices within our field and support sustainable business.
By offering apprenticeship schemes within our business, we open access to various professional roles and help to remove barriers around our industry. Our schemes have proved hugely successful and have helped us to find and nurture a whole range of talent. We have 16 people signed up working on an apprenticeship, including our People Relations Administrator currently working through her HR Support Level 3 qualification, and 8 Site Managers working through their Facilities Management Supervisor Level 3 qualifications. In our Service Support Centre we have 3 apprentices completing their Business Administration Level 3 qualification.