CLEANING STRATEGIC SUSTAINABILITY
London-based Cleanology discusses how being environmentally friendly should be a key component in any contractors offering.
On the surface, contract cleaning is all about keeping the client’s work environment free from litter, germs and visible dirt. Throw in a paper recycling bin for good measure, and many will think they are doing their best for the environment. In fact, however, cleaning businesses have a much greater opportunity to make a difference, both at their own premises and out on site. Many of these initiatives have an impact on budgets, which can be passed directly to FM customers.
Cleanology, for example, has taken a strategic approach to waste and energy. As well as bringing in standard recycling and energy efficient light bulbs, Cleanology runs a 100% hybrid fleet, and has even commissioned special cleaning fluid sachets to simplify dosage and portion control.
CEO Dominic Ponniah said: “We believe consideration for the environment is paramount to successful business. Cleaning revolves around making environments safe, hygienic and productive and, for Cleanology, it is natural to extend this care to the wider environment.”
In 2012 the company decided to standardise environmental activities. Dominic continued: “We wanted to ensure that all our employees followed the same procedures, and to show that we take the environment seriously.”
As a result, Cleanology signed up to ISO 14001. It is now fully accredited and attributes the environmental management system (EMS) with helping the company to look for new, innovative ways to improve.
The key element of the EMS is recording and monitoring performance. Setting clear targets and working towards them helps to motivate staff and demonstrate what is expected. All Cleanology, all employees are trained on environmental initiatives and both contracted and sub- contracted staff are expected to follow them.
As well as legislative requirements, such as improving energy efficiency under the Energy Act, or reducing pollution under the Hazardous Waste Regulations, Cleanology has audited all its daily activities.
Possibly the most visible of the resulting initiatives is the introduction of a 100% hybrid car fleet. Cleaning staff need to travel to clients’ sites, and the hybrid vehicles have helped Cleanology to significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Staff are also encouraged to car share, or to pay for public transport with a company Oyster card and future plans include using electric bikes and a switch to hybrid vans.
Payslips are emailed to staff and office-based employees are expected to reuse all paper before recycling, use recycled products wherever possible, and to donate used printer cartridges for recycling.
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Cleanology also aims to reduce its impact. Site surveys on energy usage take place at all client sites and head office. Three-quarters of all light bulbs are already energy efficient and the roll out of this programme continues.
When it comes to tendering for contracts, the reduced costs which result from the company’s successful drive to reduce its impact are transferred to clients. This even extends to on-site cleaning, where the focus is on portion control and avoiding pollutants.
Dominic said: “For many years, cleaning was reliant on strong chemicals to guarantee hygiene levels. Today, we have other methods available, and we need to be mindful that people spend long hours working in the environments we provide. This is true for our own staff, and the employees that work in the areas we clean. We assessed our use of chemicals thoroughly, before trialling chemical-free cleaning products. Today we are on course to be 100% chemical-free on all sites. We believe this to be a major achievement.
“As with all environmental initiatives, what starts out being good for the environment, also turns out to be good for business. Our schemes help us provide a more cost- effective service, as well as peace of mind – for us, it is the future of modern cleaning,” concluded Dominic.
www.cleanology.com twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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