Cleanzine Feature - Sustainability - Autumn 2023

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Introduction:

What does sustainability mean to you? Opportunity or bugbear? Something you’re passionate about or yet another hoop you have to jump through? Everyone I ask has a slightly different take on it, yet when we delve deeper it’s clear that the vast majority of us are already leading more sustainable lives personally than we did a few years ago – mainly because we can see the sense in it… We’re embracing it because we feel it’s right. Sadly, some are carrying on the way they’ve always done, perhaps kicking back at the pushes we’re getting from the powers that be, (i.e. shortages of essential goods, rising prices, threats of power cuts etc.) while others are paying too much attention to the marketing people and influencers and feel that unless they have the latest technology or flashiest car, they’re less of a human being.

I’ll probably lose friends by saying this but I’m not convinced about global warming OR the drive towards Net Zero. What I am convinced of though - and have been for decades, is our need to stop damaging our environment by consuming unnecessarily and creating vast amounts of waste as a result. That waste has to go somewhere! Manufacturing processes create pollution, as does the resultant transportation of the new goods along with the removal of our discarded goods they’re replacing. We’re polluting our planet with our waste products and this needs to stop. When it comes to our personal lives, I feel we should all be encouraged to buy second hand, only the things we really need. If something breaks we should try and fix it, or find another use for it. If we no longer want or need something, there is no doubt another individual, household or business that will find a home for it. We need to try and use energy more efficiently and when it comes to water, we simply have to use it wisely. These are all easy changes to make and those of us who make them, will end up feeling better for it.

When it comes to business however, everything becomes so much more complicated. It’s not about making small changes as we go along but more like laying battle plans. Have you covered every angle and ensured nothing’s been missed? Are you going to beat the other players? For like it or not, every company – whether manufacturer, distributor or service provider, is not only going to have to embrace the concept, but will do better if seen to be a driving force, than an organisation that’s being dragged along by everyone else’s momentum.

In the past people would buy from those they knew, liked and trusted, who could offer a good quality product for a decent price, on time, every time... those who could ensure continuity of supply even if there were shortages… someone who’d treat you as a special client – or make you feel you were. Nowadays, very high in the mix, comes a visible commitment to sustainability. For if the companies you’re in partnership with are running businesses that are as sustainable as they can possibly be, it should perhaps go without saying that by your very connection, your business is also more sustainable. So we all need to be on board, don’t we? Since those that aren’t, will surely fall by the wayside…

US-based cleaning industry spokesperson Stephen Ashkin believes that one of the best ways a company can improve sustainability and engage all its employees in the process is quiz them about it and I think this is a great idea. "Quizzes are not necessarily just for evaluating how much we know,” he argues. “They motivate learning, improve knowledge retention and help us better understand a topic." He suggests:

• What does sustainability mean to you?
• Which one of the following addresses your thoughts about sustainability? It’s essential and something we should address now / We should start looking into it in the future / I don't know enough about it to say / I don’t believe it’s important
• Will sustainability help our company grow? Yes / No / Unsure
• Will our customers appreciate our sustainability initiatives? Yes / No / Unsure
• If you believe sustainability will help our company, how? (Click your top three choices from): Improve business profits / Help reduce risk / Help our business grow / Build customer loyalty / Increase our standing in the community /Help us differentiate our company from competitors / Help us retain employees and attract new employees
• Is our company communicating its sustainability efforts adequately to you and our team? Yes / No
• How we can get you and others in the company more focused on sustainability?

"The responses will act as a reference point to gauge comprehension and opinions and help you determine the steps you need to take to ensure everyone is onboard, understands sustainability, and all it entails," he says.

And as John Austen’s AIChatBot friend puts it, (well, my edited version): “In the heart of every spray bottle and within the fibres of every cleaning cloth lies a choice - a choice cleaning companies and their suppliers are making daily… one that transcends mere business decisions; it's a commitment to the planet and a pledge for a sustainable future. It’s not just an opportunity; it's a responsibility that echoes through the entire supply chain. Beyond the noble pursuit of environmental preservation, sustainability enhances brand reputation, fosters customer trust and ultimately, leads to financial gains. From attracting eco-conscious clients to complying with environmental regulations, the incorporation of sustainable practices becomes a cornerstone for sustainable growth and longevity.”

By spotlighting companies that have successfully integrated sustainability into their core ethos, we hope to provide a roadmap for others, showcasing how innovation can be a driving force behind both ecological stewardship and profitability. By making conscious choices today, these people aren't just transforming their businesses; they’re shaping a future where cleanliness is not just a measure of hygiene but a testament to environmental stewardship. Happy reading!

Jan Hobbs