HOW TO GO GREENER


George Hand, Sales Manager for Cleaning, Hygiene and Catering at Office Depot UK & Ireland, sets out some advice for how cleaning companies can go green in 2018.


For businesses, demonstrating ‘green credentials’ is becoming increasingly important, and it is key to maintaining a strong employer brand, attracting the best talent around. This pressure for businesses to reduce their environmental impact has implications for the supply chain, with more and more organisations seeking procurement partners who are able to support environmental targets.


In recent years, increased demand for sustainable cleaning chemicals and equipment has caused them to increase in availability and affordability. As such, businesses no longer have any excuse to avoid their eco responsibilities.


REVIEW Thoroughly revising internal processes is the first step for business when striving to be more environmentally friendly. This involves not only considering eco-friendly suppliers who are able to offer green products but also bearing in mind product affordability.


Clearly communicating your business’ sustainability policies when forming new supplier relationships, or renewing contracts, will help to ensure that procurement partners assist the organisation in meeting environmental goals from the outset.


MIND THE ‘ECO JARGON’ An increased emphasis on sustainability in recent years has driven a number of developments in


cleaning technology. For example, advancements with microfibre cloths now allow reduced amounts of chemicals and water to be used whilst attaining a similar quality of cleaning.


However, labelling on these products can be incredibly difficult to understand and it is worth businesses choosing suppliers who are able to translate the eco-jargon so they can make a thoroughly educated choice.


INVEST IN AUTOMATIC


DISPENSERS While in previous years, the majority of businesses relied solely on ready-to- use chemicals, ‘smart dosing’ offers organisations the opportunity to reduce wastage whilst driving down costs.


Automatic dispensers have the benefit of decreasing the amount of chemical used for each cleaning task. They work by giving cleaning professionals an exact, highly-controlled dosage of concentrate before dilution. As well as being more cost-effective, the use of automatic dispensers ultimately reduces pressure on supply chains, requiring less packaging, less waste and less frequent deliveries.


Newer models of dispensers are also highly portable and can be easily transported around the workplace. Additionally, these systems have health and safety benefits because they are also fully-sealed and do not need bottles of chemicals to be continuously opened and closed.


REINFORCE THE


SUPPLY CHAIN When it comes to meeting environmental targets, it is important to remember that this is not only a case of choosing the right products and processes. An organisaton’s carbon footprint is one of the most commonly used ways of measuring sustainability, therefore it is essential for businesses to also turn their attention to how cleaning products are procured.


By consolidating the supply chain, cleaning professionals can harness the environmental benefits of fewer deliveries whilst also saving money on delivery costs. Furthermore, as the activities of suppliers can have a significant influence on a business’ overall carbon footprint, preliminary talks with sellers should emphasise that reaching environmental targets is a priority.


As we head towards a green revolution, taking environmental impact into account is becoming more important than ever before. Cleaning manufacturers are offering a wider range of affordable green products whilst supply chain consolidation can enable businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. Now more than ever is the time for organisations to enhance their employer brand and build a truly sustainable future.


www.officedepot.eu


www.tomorrowscleaning.com


CONTRACT CLEANING SUPPLEMENT 2018 | 21


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