The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

GreenZone Cleaning & Support Services Cuts Carbon

GreenZone – The Planet Mark
04 November 2020
 

Commercial and residential cleaning company GreenZone Cleaning & Support Services has cut carbon by 15.8 per cent per employee in its eighth year of reporting to retain The Planet Mark sustainability certification.

GreenZone’s total carbon footprint in year ending December 2019 was 90.6 tCO2e, a decrease of 5.8 per cent from year ending 2018. The relative carbon footprint was 1.4 tCO2e per employee, a decrease of 15.8 per cent compared to the year ending 2018. This year’s footprint includes emissions from purchased electricity use in the building, from fuel used by the fleet, from waste disposal, and from the reduction of paper used in the offices.

"GreenZone puts sustainability at the heart of its work, and it comes as no surprise to see its carbon footprint fall so convincingly, even as its company grows."

 

– Steve Malkin
CEO, The Planet Mark


Steve Trew, Managing Director of GreenZone, says, “We’re delighted to have achieved the 15.8 per cent reduction in carbon footprint per employee in this, our eighth year, of accreditation by The Planet Mark. Starting our carbon measurement and reduction journey at such a low and focused base means that it is a very challenging task to continue to find innovative ways of cutting carbon year on year. However, with sustainable practice firmly at the heart of everything we do, GreenZone has, and always will, continue to challenge industry norms and operational standards to drive positive environmental change. Being able to demonstrate to our clients independent verification of the reductions we have achieved, offers testament to the fact that we don’t just talk the talk, but that we walk the walk and act firmly upon our beliefs."

 

The Cleaning Industry Impact

 

The cleaning industry represents five per cent of the UK workforce and has played a pivotal role in helping elevate hygiene standards in the UK throughout the health crisis. GreenZone aims to achieve new benchmarks in sustainable cleaning by inspiring behavioural change and minimising the environmental impact of its operations. From the electrification of its fleet and promotion of public transport, to introducing cutting-edge technologies to create a truly chemical-free cleaning experience, GreenZone believes that being green is not just a bolt-on to business; it's how to do business.

Steve Malkin, CEO and founder of The Planet Mark, comments "GreenZone puts sustainability at the heart of its work, and it comes as no surprise to see its carbon footprint fall so convincingly, even as its company grows. From the products the company uses to the way it delivers its service, our environment is of core concern to GreenZone, and the results are showing. The company serves as an excellent example to all companies of how a committed way of thinking can deliver real change for the environment. All general waste collected by GreenZone is sent to an energy-from-waste facility creating clean energy, ensuring zero to landfill.

 

The Planet Mark Certification & Awards

 

The Planet Mark is an internationally recognised sustainability certification which recognises continuous progress, encourages action, and builds an empowered community of like-minded individuals. It is awarded to businesses, properties, new developments and projects that are committed to reducing their carbon emissions. Companies are certified immediately when they sign up based on their commitment to sustainability progress. To keep The Planet Mark, an organisation must reduce their carbon footprint every year, commit to engage their staff and commit to communicate externally. They encourage this progress in all industries – The Planet Mark’s Business Development Manager, Lara Shear, recently shared guidance on how the construction sector can step up to reach towards carbon neutral targets in the future. Currently, less than one per cent of buildings have achieved net-zero in this regard, despite the modern opportunities for building sustainably.

The Planet Mark use a three-step process to assess criteria for their certification:

  1. Measure – The Planet Mark certification team conducts a robust measurement of carbon across scopes one, two and three, compiling a report that complies with global protocols.
  2. Engage – Secondly, The Planet Mark helps engage staff to unlock their knowledge and drive passion for change.
  3. Communicate – The programme provides tools to communicate progress, influence others and build a positive brand.


They also hold yearly awards ceremonies to celebrate oustanding movements in green development. They held their 2020 virtual awards ceremony on October 15 this year, recognising businesses committed to making a difference through their own sustainable journeys and inspiring others. Sponsored by Prologis UK, winners were named across 13 categories of awards, classified into four themes aligned with The Planet Mark certification steps mentioned above.

Despite focus on organisation efforts, individual consideration is still on the radar. A comprehensive guide for home workers, again based on the three principles of their accreditation, describes ways in which people can look at their own impact whilst prioritising health and productivity.

Picture: a person lifting a plant to clean a table.

 

Article written by Bailey Sparkes | Published 04 November 2020

Share



Related Articles

Celebrating Sustainable Businesses – The Planet Mark Awards 2020

Last night saw The Planet Mark hold its 2020 virtual awards ceremony, recognising businesses committed to making a difference through their own sustainable...

 Read Full Article
The Planet Mark - Heroes At Homerton And Heroes At Awards

It was announced recently that Homerton University Hospital had retained The Planet Mark for the second year - as the Trust was also being nominated in the...

 Read Full Article
Planet Mark Awards 2022

The Planet Mark Awards ceremony returned for a fourth year on Thursday 19 January at The Royal Institution to celebrate sustainable business.  Every year, Planet...

 Read Full Article
Carbon Battle Bus to Tour UK for Net Zero Support

UK’s first "Carbon Battle Bus" announced to support all businesses in meeting net zero carbon targets.  An ambitious Zero...

 Read Full Article
Planet Mark's New Face

Sustainability certification Planet Mark is investing in a digital transformation programme and a new modern identity, with visuals inspired by a shared...

 Read Full Article
Positive Action and Change for Climate Goals

Claire Walmsley-Moss is reaching out to businesses, to remind of the importance in maintaining a level of progress towards sustainability targets during these...

 Read Full Article
Workplace Excellence at RE:Connect – Some Highlights

ThisWeekinFM hosted a series of insightful sessions from a variety of industry speakers – and you can catch with them on-demand now. ThisWeekinFM’s...

 Read Full Article
Regional Green Boost to Cut Carbon

Six projects across the UK have this week received a share of £8 million in government funding, as part of a drive to create the world’s first net zero...

 Read Full Article
ThisWeekinFM Host Workplace Excellence Channel at RE:Connect

ThisWeekinFM is participating in a global property industry event, and is calling for expert speakers to join them. Taking place on 7 January 2021, RE:Connect, by...

 Read Full Article
Electing Ambitious Change – The US Election

Claire Walmsley-Moss comments on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s winning campaign goal to put the US on the path to carbon-free electricity production by...

 Read Full Article