At Calabash we are committed to setting new standards in the world of sustainable commercial cleaning by embedding sustainable practice throughout our operations. As part of our work to improve our environmental credentials we are measuring our GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions to give us the insight we need to implement an ambitious carbon reduction strategy.
Businesses across all sectors are facing increasing pressure to reduce the negative impact of their operations and Calabash is determined to lead the charge by developing a robust sustainability strategy. Working with consultancy Wylde Connections we are reviewing our operations and identifying ways to embed best practice. Doing so will not only ensure we play our part in addressing climate change but will help us reduce operating costs, meet the demands of customers and regulators and secure competitive advantage.
As a business you must understand and quantify your environmental impacts before you can begin to address them. Taking a deep dive into our data is key to that process and we are currently working on our second year of carbon calculations as we take the next steps on our journey to decarbonisation.
We established our baseline emissions last year, providing us with a reference point against which we can measure future progress in reducing our carbon footprint. The process involved calculations across three scopes as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol:
Few commercial cleaning companies are measuring their emissions and even fewer are accounting for Scope 3 which is harder to calculate and typically accounts for around 70% of the total.
Establishing that baseline was critical in helping our business track progress in the coming years as we work hard to address our environmental impact. We are now completing our second year calculations. That data will be externally verified by our sustainability consultancy and used to feed into a detailed carbon reduction plan.
We have set a target to halve our emissions by 2030 and hit Net Zero by 2050. That involves reducing our carbon footprint by driving initiatives right across our business and its value chain. Reducing energy consumption and providing sustainable cleaning services will be a key priority for everyone at Calabash as we set out on our decarbonisation pathway. From introducing energy efficiency measures to investigating low-carbon transportation, we will leave no stone unturned.
As well as improving our own sustainability performance, we are committed to magnifying our positive impact by supporting clients in meeting their own targets. As a result, we have developed a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that help meet the needs of people and planet
In terms of environmental impact, we have invested in new vacuum cleaners that use 30% less energy to help clients cut costs and minimise their Scope 2 emissions. Chemical compounds from cleaning products can pollute already stressed rivers and oceans, causing untold harm to aquatic ecosystems. We have addressed this by sourcing low impact high performance products to ensure we deliver exceptional results whilst protecting nature.
In addition, our staff use equipment and techniques that reduce water consumption, and we provide clients with a zero-to-landfill waste management service that supports responsible resource management. In terms of social impact, we do not offer zero hours contracts, and the vast majority of our clients have agreed to pay our staff the Living Wage.
Measuring GHG emissions is a key component of our sustainable cleaning services, and we look forward to sharing more information about our journey when we publish our 2024 sustainability report later this year. We will continue challenging the status quo, changing mindsets and offering our clients an opportunity to make more sustainable choices. Talk to Calabash today about how we can work together to secure a fairer future for all.
Company No: 02764589 | Registered address: The Coach House, Powell Rd, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, United Kingdom, IG9 5RD | VAT No. GB609134553
