Advice, Information, Innovation, Sustainability

Cleaning with a Conscience: Uncovering Environmental Sustainability

d. , Lærke Cecilie Ditlevsen
GHG account

Environmental sustainability benefits your cleaning company and helps you stay competitive. Many companies report a GHG account annually, explaining their environmental impact and sustainable measures. It is not only becoming a requirement, but it also gives a significant advantage when attracting clients and investors. But what are the rules for reporting your company’s emissions, and what is an ESG report? 

Understanding the Importance of GHG Account and Environmental Sustainability

Cleaning bottle that show different environmental sustainability intitiatives

Embracing environmental sustainability positions your business favourably in the eyes of investors, clients, and other stakeholders who increasingly value eco-conscious operations. It is not only valued, but is becoming a requirement with the so-called ESG reports. Environmental sustainability is the practice of using sustainable and renewable sources to counter climate changes. The point is to sustain and protect the environment, and not overheat the planet with fossil fuels. Focusing on environmental sustainability means having a GHG account, to show how your company minimises the CO₂ emissions. 

All companies directly or indirectly emit CO₂, because they buy or sell products, or provide services. Companies need to account for this, which is done as a GHG account. GHG stands for greenhouse gas, and is a system and protocol for recalculating everything into CO₂ equivalents. It also includes water consumption and waste, which is recalculated into CO₂. The yearly amount of CO₂ is then a key number when evaluating your environmental sustainability. The point is to lower the key number, the amount of CO₂ emitted. Every number, each year, is compared with last year’s number, to see your progress with environmental sustainability. Lowering the number requires environmental actions for cleaning companies. One initiative could be reducing carbon emissions through ECO-friendly cleaning products.

The GHG account is a part of ESG reports, and having these long-term strategies and reports ensures your cleaning company’s future. ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. It is a standard measure for companies when it comes to their impact on the environment, society, and their credibility. The ESG reports are done annually, and are used to encourage companies to invest and integrate the three components into their daily operations.

Four Competitive Advantages for Your Cleaning Company When Implementing GHG Account and Environmental Sustainability

Improve the Image of Your Cleaning Business

Environmental sustainability is the new black. By having a GHG account, you not only show clients and staff that your business is professional and strategy-based, but transparent, and therefore, credible. Setting environmental goals for your cleaning business is ensuring ethical business choices which are appreciated by current and future staff and clients.

Investment Opportunities

Alongside an improved reputation, your cleaning company will have more business opportunities, when focusing your business towards environmental sustainability. This is because investors invest in companies that focus on environmental sustainability. According to the British Business Bank, around two thirds of investors have ESG as a significant factor when investing in businesses. Which ultimately means that environmental sustainability, which is a part of ESG, can give you a competitive advantage when growing your business.

Staying Competitive even with Higher Service Prices

Another economic advantage to environmental sustainability is the potential of raising your cleaning service price, while still being competitive on the cleaning market. This is usually because environmental measures require different, and sometimes more expensive, cleaning products. For many clients, environmentally conscious cleaning companies are seen as luxurious, and equal to better service. If your business is a forerunner when it comes to environmental sustainability, a higher service price is easily accepted, and even expected sometimes.

Building Your Own Resilience

All these initial advantages are connected to your cleaning business’ resilience. Environmental sustainability prepares you for future climate changes. If you are already lowering your CO₂ emissions and incorporating other sustainable measures, you are well on your way to handling future issues that climate change will cause. Causes such as water-shortages or the disappearance of fossil fuels as a source. Business- and growth wise, clients and staff trust and believe in your cleaning business when you “go green”. Investors as well, they all appreciate your hard work for environmental action. This sets you up for many years of stability, and resilience in a changing market.

GHG Account for environmental sustainability

Green Guidelines: Navigating the GHG Account

All cleaning companies are under the ESG rules and regulations, but the smaller companies are influenced indirectly. Smaller cleaning companies may not have direct regulations, but they can be part of the value chain for bigger companies. This happens when their clients are large companies with mandatory GHG accounting. This means that the smaller cleaning company needs to have a GHG account for their big company clients.

The UK Government has implemented several ESG regulations which affect larger companies with over 500 employees or a £500+ million turnover. Most of the ESG regulations for small and medium-sized companies are then voluntary. There are many acts, disclosures and ESG initiatives, which require both time and money. Here are a few initiatives for environmental sustainability, that would be accessible for your cleaning company: 

  • GHG account for scope 1, 2 and if possible, scope 3
  • Report your goals in resilience to climate changes and sustainability goals, both short and long term. 
  • Report your progress on reducing GHG emissions, with its setbacks and issues. 
  • Report subsequent environmental investments and recycling implementations. 
  • Consider having an environmental management system, a ISO 14001 certificate or EMAS. 

This is not a complete list, and many initiatives are expectedly in the beginning phase. Listen to your client or other important stakeholders when it comes to your cleaning company and environmental sustainability expectations. That is the essential initiative to begin with and work from.

Image of cleaning staff who are cleaning environmentally sustainable

The Environmentally Sustainable Future for Cleaning Companies

Environmental sustainability is an essential part of ESG reporting and is measured and improved through the GHG account. Making the GHG account, and investing in environmental measures, ensures that your cleaning company contributes to a greener future. It overall secures the competitive edge for your cleaning business and ensures long-term success and resilience to not only climate changes, but also business changes in the UK.

Interested in doing environmental sustainability, but do not have the time? Then consider exploring our commercial cleaning software at CleanManager. Our digital solutions can help you manage your cleaning company and save time for more important things, like ESG.

Do you want to start your GHG account? Then check out our other article, A Quick Crafting-Guide for the GHG Account and Green Cleaning Practices.

Share article

Have you read the news?

When entering your e-mail and clicking yes please, are you accepting that we can send information about new posts and newsletters to you.

You can always unsubscribe again. We will never share your contact informations with others.

Related posts

A Quick Crafting-Guide for the GHG Account and Green Cleaning Practices
Advice, Development, Information, Sustainability
A Quick Crafting-Guide for the GHG Account and Green Cleaning Practices This blog takes you further into environmental sustainability and GHG account, by giving you ideas for goals and sustainable initiatives your cleaning company could take to meet your sustainable goals. Furthermore, we give you an overview of important factors of the GHG account and how to formulate a report on GHG. What to Know Before Creating the GHG Account: Scopes and KPI The global, standardised measurement is called the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), where every company reports their collected climate footprint. The creation of an annual GHG account is time-consuming, but the first time is the most difficult because the CO₂ data needs to be sought from scratch. Next year, you have a starting point. There might be changes in method, results, and goals, but then you have your template from last year. Here is a guide on what to report and which goals could be realistic and useful for a cleaning company: What to Report: Scopes The three scopes are a categorisation of a company’s different types of emissions and wider value-chain. They are used in the GHG protocol and account for the total CO₂ emissions of a given company. The 3 scopes according to the Office for National Statistics:  Scope 1: direct emissions from owned or directly controlled sources.Scope 2: indirect emissions from purchased energy that come from where the energy was produced.Scope 3: all other indirect emissions, from producing and transporting goods and services, including the supply chain. Your KPI Goals and Environmental Sustainability Initiatives for the GHG Account KPI’s will be your goals to follow and later evaluate your cleaning company’s achievements at the end of the year. These KPI goals can both be long-term and short-term, and it is better to start simple and have relatable goals, like a goal of changing light bulbs to LED. Goals are usually directed towards CO₂ emissions, but other initiatives to save resources or recycle are essential too. Here are a handful of environmental sustainability initiatives you could implement into your cleaning company for KPI goals: Reduce energy using renewable energy sources  Windmill and/or solar energy for your buildingHybrid- or electric cars for your employeesBicycling if possible Switch cleaning products  Cleaning products with less or no plastic, or made of biodegradable materials Investing in technology Invest in LED-lightingHigh-tech cleaning with less water and soap Software for wage, time tracking etc. to remove paperwork and save time. (paperless office) Recycling or waste-management Second-hand clothing for staffRecycling bins for you and your clientsEncourage less use of paper at your own facility and at your clients KPI Example A KPI goal could be: “Reduce the company's carbon emissions by 25% over the next ten years.” This is an overall goal, which could include concrete goals, like having 20% of company cars be electric by the end of the 10 years. However, the long-term goal is specific and measurable, and opens up for creativity from your company to find environmental initiatives. This is an effective KPI for assessing a cleaning company's progress in environmental…
Social Sustainability and Its Positive Impact on Your Cleaning Business
Advice, Development, Sustainability
Social Sustainability and Its Positive Impact on Your Cleaning Business The cleaning industry has a huge shortage of qualified workers and needs new ways to attract staff. This is one of the reasons why cleaning companies need to consider social sustainability. Both employees and clients are demanding a stronger focus on social responsibility, because the future regards the wellbeing of everyone. But how can your cleaning business implement social sustainability, and what are the benefits? Understanding Social Sustainability: The S in ESG ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. These three parts serve as benchmarks for assessing a company’s environmental impact, social contributions, and governance practices. ESG reports are published annually to report results and to motivate the company to improve the numbers during the next year. It also demonstrates achievement to key stakeholders such as clients, employees, and investors. Now, let’s go back to the topic of social sustainability, which prioritises principles and policies of people. Companies are encouraged to contribute positively and focus on the wellbeing of individuals. Social sustainability covers several areas, including health and safety, diversity, wages, equality, and education.  Every company in the world affects society through its approach to diversity and equality in the workforce. Positive impacts are seen when companies e.g. hire minorities to ensure diversity or uphold equal rights at work regardless of age, gender, or sexuality. Many companies also support NGO’s and charities, contributing on a scale few individuals can afford. However, some companies may be unaware that they preserve inequality at work through practices such as offering below-average wages, consistently hiring people who resemble themselves, or fail to provide health insurances. Results are usually that employees quit, your company receives public criticism, and a decrease in trust. Meaning that neither clients nor potential employees want to invest their time in your company. On the other hand, focusing on social sustainability can enhance a company's reputation, attract and retain valuable staff, improve operational efficiency, and contribute positively to the community. Three Categories of Social Sustainability to Simplify Implementation Social sustainability can be divided into three categories, each focusing on specific groups of people. This categorisation makes it easier to manage and work with social sustainability. Human Capital The first category focuses on the individuals within your company and is in particular important for cleaning companies. Human capital encompasses well-being in the workplace, equal treatment, fair wages, and opportunities for skill development and education. One initiative could be as simple as ensuring compliance with the UK Government's national living wage legislation, which came into effect in April 2024. The legislation increased the wage by almost 10%, from £10.42 to £11.44 per hour.  This category encourages you to assess aspects of employee relations, development opportunities, and improvement of working conditions. Success in this category can be achieved through effective communication and seeking feedback from your employees. Product Liability  Product liability is another critical area where your employees' feedback can provide invaluable insights. This concerns the impact of your product and services on society, including safety, and quality of life. For example, consider the…
Attracting the Young Generation to the Cleaning Industry
Advice, Information, Quality, Sustainability
Attracting the Young Generation to the Cleaning Industry One major challenge facing cleaning companies today is attracting and retaining the young generation. To stay relevant in modern times, the industry should embrace environmental- and social sustainability. They also need to address the less favourable aspects of cleaning jobs, while also promoting the positive impacts cleaning has that people tend to forget. Why the Cleaning Industry has to Change The cleaning industry is in a labour shortage, particularly with younger workers. Data from the British Cleaning Council reveals that the percentage of cleaning staff under 25 is significantly lower than in other sectors across the UK. Additionally, there is a much higher percentage of people over 55 in the cleaning industry. The difference may stem from the negative perception of cleaning work as low-skilled, low paid, with little career opportunity and workplace well-being.  To attract younger employees, the industry must shift its narrative. This requires reflection and action. Cleaning companies need to reflect and determine the most important issues and act on it. Otherwise, companies will increase the labour shortage when their employees start to retire and no young workers want to replace them. This requires knowledge of what younger generations seek in a job. They value sustainability, opportunity and skills, areas we will explain in more detail later. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people realised the importance of the cleaning industry, yet as corona subsided, so too did the focus on its importance. Despite this, the cleaning sector remains vital for society, but a negative discourse remains the cause of low employment. This is why it’s crucial to showcase the benefits of working in cleaning. Cleaning companies need to be vocal about how they ensure health and safety and create millions of jobs for both immigrants and natives, just to name a few. Moreover, it’s important for these companies to proactively address and improve the less positive aspects of the industry. Misconceptions and Issues regarding Cleaning Staff Many young people view cleaning as a stop-gap job — a way to earn money while you figure out what you really want to do in your professional life. Similarly, the cleaning business is viewed as a job for immigrants, because it’s one of the few sectors with minimal language requirements. What people fail to realise, and what cleaning companies need to highlight, is the substantial skill and knowledge requirements. Effective cleaning requires knowledge of chemicals and anatomy, strong communication skills to meet diverse client needs, and organisational abilities to ensure that everything is completed on time. It also requires a certain amount of strength, despite technological advances in the industry.  For employer and employees, achieving these professional cleaning standards requires education and skill development through training or certification. This ensures that every employee has the latest knowledge and practices. For instance, cleaning supplies evolve and might require specific implementation training. Even though daily cleaning tasks do not require English language proficiency, offering English courses has several benefits. The workers can improve communicate and understanding the client’s needs, and it opens for…