What does net-zero mean in cleaning?

 

Industry veteran, Mick Dalton defines Net zero in the world of commercial cleaning.

 

Filed under
Business
 
January 30, 2023
 
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What does net-zero mean in cleaning?
 

The term ‘NET ZERO’ is quickly replacing ‘COVID-19’ as the new catchphrase of the decade.

Pledges to dramatically reduce emissions and attain a carbon neutral position are being made by companies across the globe. But how hard is it for organizations to go net zero? And what does it actually mean?

A company reaches net zero when the amount of greenhouse gasses it adds to the environment is no higher than the amount it takes away. Any organization striving to go net zero must therefore dramatically reduce its emissions while balancing out the remainder by removing an equivalent amount. This could be achieved by planting trees, for example, or by capturing and storing carbon.

Tackling emissions

  • Staff transport is one of the company’s biggest emissions. Encourage teams to use public transport or car share schemes where possible to further reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Buildings owned by cleaning companies should be equipped with LED lighting and photovoltaic systems.
  • There should be a move towards digital conferencing.
  • They should consider the use of electric vehicles/robots.
  • Work with sustainable suppliers, reducing emissions from buildings and recruiting staff who live close to their workplace,”
  • The company could consider a Cycle to Work scheme or offer safe storage for bicycles on all its sites.
  • It could invest in carbon offset schemes. For example, consider installing solar panels in schools and supplying wood stoves to coffee farmers. 
  • Reduce its use of chemicals and move towards biological products where possible. These types of products are more environmentally-friendly and the run-off doesn’t disrupt waterways, water-based solutions.
  • Replace cleaning chemicals with water-based solutions and adopt various innovative products designed to reduce environmental impact. 
  • Companies need to do their own due diligence and check the sustainability of their supply chains. 
  • Companies must strive to create an inclusive, supportive and safe working environment for all employees.

Reducing energy, water and chemicals during the cleaning process is not only relevant for the sustainable footprint of cleaning services, it also has a tangible economic benefit. Developing a strategy for achieving zero emissions includes the purchase of clean energy produced from renewable sources.

At the same time, demand for sustainable solutions is largely customer-driven. We’re continuously setting ourselves new targets to make our companies more efficient while conserving resources to fulfill our role as a social stakeholder.

Moreover, sustainability should always be balanced against efficacy. We need to come up with solutions that are more sustainable but that work just as well – if not better – than less sustainable alternatives. After all, there’s no point in producing a product that is environmentally-friendly but that doesn’t actually address the customer’s problems.

About the author:

Mick Dalton is a Fellow of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities management, Board Director of IFMA members council, Member of IFMA, Member of institute of asset management, Associate Member of CIBSE.