You’ve reviewed your policies, talked about sustainability in meetings, and added ESG to your business plan, but where do you go from here? For many small and medium-sized businesses, turning ESG from intention into action can feel like a challenge. The good news is that one easy way to start making progress is with something you may already be using: your cleaning service.
Eco-friendly cleaning services help:
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Boost indoor air quality
- Meet environmental standards
For SMEs in Dorset and beyond, sustainable commercial cleaning is a great way to show your commitment to responsible business. It keeps disruption low while showing staff, clients, and stakeholders that you mean business.
In this guide, we’ll show you how switching to eco-cleaning can move your ESG goals forward practically, affordably, and with real results.
Understanding ESG Goals in an SME Context
For SMEs, ESG can seem like a complex framework, but it ultimately boils down to simple, practical steps. In short:
- Environmental: Reducing emissions, waste, and resource use
- Social: Creating a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace
- Governance: Operating transparently and within UK regulations
You don’t need to rewrite your operations to start making progress. Even everyday contracts, like your cleaning provider, can help you build ESG credibility from the ground up. At Dorset Commercial Cleaning, we work with businesses across the county. Our mission is to make their sites cleaner, greener, and more compliant with minimal disruption.
5 Ways Eco-Friendly Cleaning Services Help You Hit ESG Targets
1. Lowering Your Carbon Footprint Through Sustainable Cleaning
Commercial cleaning has a greater impact on your carbon emissions than you might think. Almost everything, from transport and product packaging to energy use, can have a big carbon footprint.
Our team take practical steps to minimise emissions, including:
- Using hybrid vehicles and route planning to reduce mileage
- Supplying low-toxicity, concentrated cleaning products
- Reducing single-use packaging and switching to bulk refills
This matches the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy. It urges businesses to reduce emissions in all activities, including cleaning and maintenance. These changes also support Scope 3 emissions reporting if you’re part of a wider supply chain.
2. Promoting Employee Well-Being Through Safer Cleaning Products
Many regular cleaning agents let out volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals can harm indoor air quality and cause discomfort for staff. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that indoor pollutants can contribute to the development of asthma, skin issues, and headaches. These problems are more common in enclosed office spaces.
By switching to biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives, you’re reducing exposure to these irritants. Many of our Dorset-based clients have reported improvements in staff feedback following the change. These agents ensure spaces smell fresh, not like chemicals, and the positive staff response is often immediate.
It’s also worth noting that The British Council for Offices announced new recommendations for greener and healthier offices. They believe that boosting outdoor air supply in offices create healthier and more productive workplaces. As you can see, clean air and safe surfaces help your people feel and perform at their best.
3. Supporting Governance & ESG Compliance
Your cleaning practices really count. They play a key role in ISO 14001 reporting, BREEAM certification, and your company’s CSR policy. So, don’t overlook their importance.
Eco-friendly cleaning helps demonstrate:
- Reduced waste and emissions
- Safer chemical storage and handling
- Ethical procurement of supplies
Our management team can help clients with documented compliance. We can offer information on how products are used, track emissions, and outline our sustainability practices. This helps with internal reports and third-party accreditations. The UK’s Environment Act 2022 also sets out legally binding targets on air quality and waste reduction.
Choosing a commercial cleaning company who understands these expectations keeps you prepared for regulatory changes.
4. Reducing Waste Without Compromising Standards
In the UK, commercial plastic waste, like packaging from cleaning products, puts a lot of pressure on landfills. UK Parliament reports that businesses generate over 2 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste every year. Switching to a sustainable cleaning service helps reduce this without disrupting your operations.
We help clients reduce their waste footprint by using:
- Microfibre cloths instead of disposable wipes
- Refillable bottles and dosing systems to reduce single-use plastic
- Concentrated solutions that minimise transport and packaging
These changes are built into our standard service, so clients do not need to manage extra stock or source their own materials. It’s a cleaner workspace with fewer bags at the end of the week.
5. Building Trust With Clients and Stakeholders
Sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s now part of how your business is evaluated.
A Deloitte survey reported that:
“ESG is the top area where procurement plays an active influential role in decision-making (85% of firms), with corporate risk management and FP&A next (roughly 70%).”
When your premises are maintained with eco-friendly methods – from low-toxicity products to energy-efficient scheduling – it reinforces your brand’s commitment to doing things responsibly. It’s also a visible aspect of your operations, particularly in customer-facing areas.
We support Dorset businesses by providing easy-to-understand documents that highlight our eco-credentials. That way, you can show your commitment in reports, policy documents, and conversations with investors or clients. Best of all, you can do so without scrambling for evidence.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Provider for ESG Compliance
Not every cleaning company is set up to support your ESG goals. If you want to align your business with sustainability goals, start by asking the right questions before committing.
Look for a provider that can:
- Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products
- Explain how their methods reduce waste and emissions
- Offer basic ESG reporting support, such as product usage summaries
Our team already work with local businesses who value this level of care. No matter if you’re a marine manufacturer in Poole or a busy shop in Dorchester, we’ll make a plan just for you. One that fits your space, schedule, and other duties. Most importantly, we’re practical, reliable, and easy to work with. There’s no greenwashing or unnecessary upselling with us.
Small Steps, Big ESG Impact
Eco-friendly cleaning doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about everyday choices that help your business do the right thing without adding complexity.
Want to reduce your carbon footprint, improve workplace health, or enhance your ESG reporting? Partnering with the right cleaning provider is a great way to get started. Our team will assess your site, recommend effective products and methods, and provide the support you need to keep moving forward. Want to see how sustainable cleaning can help you from the very start?
Call 01202 986700 or contact Dorset Commercial Cleaning today for your free site consultation.
