Sustainability


Group had multiple ordering methods and different budgets across homes. This not only led to frustrated cleaning and housekeeping teams, but some homes were not meeting the group’s desired hygiene standards. In addition, the care organisation had to deal with higher plastic waste output due to the increased use of products.


Thanks to their partnership with Acticare, Minster Care Group implemented a number of sustainable practices while maintaining the high care standards they are known for. Our team worked closely with the Minster Care team to identify key housekeeping tasks and the required cleaning products, using this as a basis for a reduced range of cleaning chemicals. We helped Minster Care Group eliminate


unnecessary and duplicated products and introduce a standardised hygiene manual. Creating a simplified ordering and reporting process helped reduce Minster Care Group’s chemical range of products, which also reduced plastic waste. We also provided staff training to ensure the products and processes were understood and being followed correctly across all of Minster Care Group’s homes.


Social sustainability


When it comes to sustainability, a lot of focus goes into the physical impact of a care home on its environment, but there is a key element that is often ignored: the social side. Social sustainability is something care home operators already address by virtue of the nature of their business, but it should also be viewed through a wider lens that clearly encompasses other responsible business factors.


Research makes it clear that companies that support and empower their people and are active parts of their local communities do better than those that do not. Organisations that are visibly connecting with and supporting their local communities attract more talent, are less likely to deal with concerns about having a care service in the community and will promote a more positive view of the social care sector.


Ultimately, social sustainability helps


improve your care home’s business reputation. Here are a few ways you can promote social sustainability:


Support your workforce Making your nursing home a safe, welcoming, and desirable place to work enhances


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its reputation while making the lives of employees and residents better. Your staff are a vital part of your sustainability efforts, so communicate with them and encourage them to actively participate in any sustainability projects through regular updates and meetings. Ask staff for their input and suggestions on how the nursing home can become more sustainable and implement schemes that will help them feel more involved. For example, encourage staff to reduce vehicle use by promoting walking and cycling. This will not only improve their health but will bolster sustainability efforts, too.


Engage the community


Creating a community is about more than just establishing a comfortable home for residents. If you contribute to the local community, such as investing in local projects or funding educational and sustainability initiatives, your own sustainability ideas will get more support. For example, sustainable gardening can become a community initiative, while also providing your home with an additional source of food. Even small projects can reap large rewards.


Turn your suppliers into a force for sustainability


Your suppliers should not only be able to help you buy local as much as possible, but they should also be able to advise you on more sustainable alternatives. Procuring food, cleaning supplies, and other materials from sustainable sources can reduce your care home’s environmental footprint. This includes choosing local, organic food and using eco-friendly cleaning products. Your suppliers should be a supporter and enabler of your sustainability goals.


Demonstrating sustainable leadership Effective care leadership requires balancing short-term needs with long-term goals. Sustainability is not just about meeting the regulatory requirements that are headed our way – it is about ensuring care organisations’ long-term viability and success while safeguarding our collective future.


Sustainability is a transformative


journey that promises significant rewards for your care home, your residents, and the broader community. In the quest to create a better world, care organisations are not just taking care of people. Taking care of the planet is just as important for long-term viability and corporate social responsibility.


Anthony Mann


Providing solutions has always been a passion for Anthony, starting with supplying new toilet dispensing systems at his college. This initiative, which involved cycling around town with a suitcase of supplies, kick-started his career in the family business, focusing on the care industry. With over 30 years of experience, Anthony has a proven track record at Acticare, helping care homes improve standards and reduce costs, including a group of 80 homes reducing product lists by 70 per cent. His passion lies in supporting care homes to thrive while maintaining high service levels.


As the demand for sustainable practices continues to grow, care homes that embrace these changes will not only contribute to a healthier planet but also set a standard for excellence in the care community. While sustainability is a long-term initiative, it does not have to be a massive undertaking. If you start small, focusing on the areas where you can make immediate gains, the next step will be even easier. In the words of the CQC guidance: Be prepared to demonstrate what you are doing to reduce the impact on your environment and how you are incorporating renewable energy, sustainable transport, and environmentally friendly waste management into your day- to-day working. The transition to sustainable practices is not just an environmental imperative – it is an opportunity to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve care quality. Fortunately, leading more sustainable organisations is becoming easier by the day, thanks to continuous innovation by leading care sector suppliers.


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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com June 2025


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