Sustainable Cleaning Starts with Small Changes
With Earth Day this month, it’s a timely reminder that sustainability is driven not only by major innovations, but also by the everyday actions that collectively create meaningful change.
In housekeeping and commercial cleaning services, practical sustainability can be embedded in daily operations through smarter resource use, reduced waste, and continuous improvements that support both environmental outcomes and operational efficiency.
Small changes, meaningful impact
Sustainable cleaning is often about making better choices in the details. Using microfibre cloths helps reduce reliance on chemicals, lower water use and support waste reduction through reusable materials. Combined with sustainable product innovation, this approach helps reduce environmental impact while maintaining high cleaning standards.
Our use of cleaning solutions from Ecolab also supports this approach, helping improve chemical efficiency, reduce waste and support more sustainable cleaning outcomes through responsible product use.
In the hotel environments we support, sustainability also extends to practical waste management initiatives, including recycling systems that help divert recyclable materials from general waste streams, supporting more responsible resource use at site level.
These practical actions may seem small in isolation, but at scale, they can contribute to significant environmental benefits.
Driving efficiency through smarter resource use
Sustainability is also about how services are delivered. Optimising delivery schedules, consolidating orders, and reducing unnecessary transport can help reduce emissions while improving efficiency. Through our partnership with Bunzl, ahs has been reviewing delivery practices and identifying practical opportunities to lower environmental impact across our supply chain.
Recent analysis identified the potential to reduce delivery emissions by 24%, equivalent to 95 kgs CO2-e, through initiatives such as order consolidation, improved delivery planning and reducing unnecessary deliveries. While modest in appearance, these practical changes demonstrate how supplier partnerships and operational decisions can support measurable progress toward lower emissions.
Supporting ESG goals through everyday operations
Increasingly, cleaning services play an important role in supporting broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives.
From sustainable product choices and waste reduction initiatives to efficient resource management and responsible supply chain practices, cleaning can contribute to helping organisations advance their sustainability priorities while maintaining safe, high-quality environments. It is one example of how operational services can support both performance and purpose.
Progress through partnership
Meaningful sustainability outcomes are often driven through collaboration.
As part of the RGF Staffing ANZ group, we are proud to contribute to broader sustainability commitments. We have retained our Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing us in the top 1% of companies assessed globally over the past 12 months.
Our score has continued to improve, supported by the development of our group sustainability plan, the inclusion of measurable targets, and a more robust reporting framework. This recognition reflects a strong commitment to measurable action, continuous improvement and responsible business practices.
Together, these efforts demonstrate how practical operational improvements, supplier partnerships and broader sustainability strategies can contribute to meaningful progress.
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