Tag Archive for: Road to Net Zero

Global Recycling Day: Why Recycling Matters in Commercial Cleaning

Global Recycling Day highlights an issue many businesses tend to overlook. The UK generates over 190 million tonnes of waste annually, with commercial premises accounting for a significant portion of that total. According to WRAP, workplaces can recycle up to 70 per cent of their waste, yet many fall short due to inefficient systems or contamination.

Cleaning has a more considerable influence on that outcome than most people realise.

The Role of Cleaning in Workplace Recycling

Recycling does not occur by chance. It relies on proper organisation, routine, and consistent oversight. When waste streams combine or when bins are poorly maintained, recycling rates decline quickly.

Professional cleaning teams enhance recycling efficiency by:

  • Keeping waste stations clearly organised
  • Reducing contamination between recycling and general waste
  • Ensuring bins are emptied correctly and consistently
  • Reporting repeated misuse or overflow issues

These actions may seem minor, but they directly affect how much waste remains in landfills.

Linking Recycling to Net Zero Goals

The UK has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Businesses across the country are now assessing their environmental impact, including their waste management practices. Recycling lowers landfill emissions and reduces the need for raw material extraction, both of which help reduce carbon emissions.

Cleaning providers are part of this chain. At ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services UK, product choice and operational decisions support broader Net Zero goals.

Concentrated solutions

Our cleaning products are now concentrated. That means:

  • We carry less water when we travel.
  • We don’t need to restock and distribute as often, which reduces trips and emissions.
  • When diluted, the solutions are less harmful if they enter water systems.

It’s a more efficient way to clean, and it reduces our impact at every stage, from transport to disposal.

These operational choices reduce environmental impact without compromising cleaning standards.

Smarter packaging

We’ve also changed suppliers to one that better supports our Net Zero by 2050 target. Our new bottles use 51% less energy to manufacture and contain fewer polymers, which means less plastic waste.

After just one year of working with our new partners, we’ve already reduced our packaging waste significantly, saving:

  • 200 cardboard cartons
  • 42,000 sheets of paper
  • 45,000 polymer bags

Those numbers represent more than cost savings; they show real progress towards operating more sustainably.

Partnership Makes the Difference

Collaboration between cleaning providers and clients enhances recycling efforts. By reviewing bin locations, identifying high-waste areas, and educating building users, they can achieve better results.

Global Recycling Day emphasises the significance of practical action. Recycling should not just be a policy headline; it should be a daily habit, supported by effective systems and responsible service delivery.

For organisations aiming to align their cleaning services with sustainability and Net Zero objectives, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services UK offers structured, environmentally responsible solutions that enhance both workplace standards and environmental performance.

Our Road to Net Zero

Reaching Net Zero isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes planning, testing, and quite a few changes along the way.

At ServiceMaster Clean, we’ve been looking at how every part of what we do can make a difference, from the packaging we use to how we deliver our cleaning solutions.

Cleaner products for a cleaner planet

Small changes add up. For example, we’ve switched suppliers to one that uses recyclable bottle caps for all our cleaning solutions, making them fully recyclable. It might sound like a small detail, but every improved material means less waste over time.

Concentrated solutions

Our cleaning products are now concentrated. That means:

  • We carry less water when we travel.
  • We don’t need to restock and distribute as often, which reduces trips and emissions.
  • When diluted, the solutions are less harmful if they enter water systems.

It’s a more efficient way to clean, and it reduces our impact at every stage, from transport to disposal.

Smarter packaging

We’ve also changed suppliers to one that better supports our Net Zero by 2050 target. Our new bottles use 51% less energy to manufacture and contain fewer polymers, which means less plastic waste.

After just one year of working with our new partners, we’ve already reduced our packaging waste significantly, saving:

  • 200 cardboard cartons
  • 42,000 sheets of paper
  • 45,000 polymer bags

Those numbers represent more than cost savings; they show real progress towards operating more sustainably.

Looking ahead

Our goal is simple: Net Zero by 2050. But the journey there is about continuous improvement. Cleaner products, more efficient processes, and mindful decisions; all of it counts.

Every change brings us a little closer to a cleaner, greener future.

If you’re looking for an environmentally conscious company to handle your contract cleaning, get in touch with us today. We’ll keep your premises spotless while helping protect the planet. Find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services business or call 0800 021 3970 today.