Our Corporate Social Responsibility Journey
At Commercial Washrooms, we want to contribute to a better world. We aim to have a positive impact on the lives of our employees, their families and our Washroom Community through our Corporate Social Responsibility values.
We've taken this a step further and integrated our Corporate Social Responsibility values into our Environmental, Social and Governance Statement which has become our core purpose and is supported by concrete evidence and data in our.
On this page we highlight our commitment to operating in an ethical, sustainable and socially responsible manner. We will detail the range of ways that we mitigate our negative footprints, and the ways we positively influence our Environment.
Discover some of the ways we are making an impact:
Our Values
Our brand values help to guide every decision we make in the business, to ensure we stay on track with what we believe in. They ensure our commitment to consistantly delivering excellence to our customers, as well as to our employees and the wider community. Here's a look at the core values we work to:
Our Human Trafficking Policy
Commercial Washrooms Ltd has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery or human trafficking, and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.
We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, in the coming year we will include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.
This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.
Take a look at our full statement here.
Ecologi Partnership
As a certified B Corp, Ecologi funds tree planting and climate action projects worldwide. What started as a subscription service for individuals has quickly transformed into a community of over 19,000 businesses and 40,000 members globally.
Our partnership with Ecologi allows us to fund global tree planting and contribute to conservation projects that make a real difference. From methane monitoring to building wind farms, these initiatives not only reduce carbon emissions but also create jobs and promote income generation in communities around the world.
Planting trees is one of the best tools to tackle the climate crisis and keep our temperatures from rising above 1.5°C. Ecologi ensures only responsible tree planting, supporting community-led projects where ecologically appropriate species are planted at the right place and time, and where trees are guarded from natural and man-made threats.
With Ecologi, we are part of a growing community of like-minded businesses scaling climate action together. Their mission is to inspire and empower businesses to accelerate global climate action.
Some of the projects we support through Ecologi include:
By capturing and utilising methane, the project reduces greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to cleaner air.
This project aims to protect and restore rainforests in the region, preserving biodiversity and providing sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
This project supports the development of solar energy infrastructure in Morocco, contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
Clean cookstoves reduce the need for firewood (deforestation), and improve air quality, particularly for women and children who are most affected.
The Wind Power Project in Mexico involves the construction and operation of wind farms to generate clean, renewable energy.
These projects make up an integral part of our commitment to environmental sustainability and our efforts to make a positive impact on the planet.
We're proud to share our progress towards creating a healthier planet with our customers and community. You can track our contributions and see the impact we're making together in real-time by visiting our Ecologi Forest.
If you sign up for your own Ecologi account using our link, we will each recieve 5 free trees and support a greener future together!
Biomass Boiler
Biomass boilers are similar to traditional gas boilers, however they use biomass fuel instead. This can be made from any organic material, with wood pellets being used here at Commercial Washrooms. Providing 100% of the heating for the entire building.
Wood pellets are usually made from left over parts of the tree that would otherwise not be used and produce a very low ash content. Every year in the UK 8.5 million tonnes of wood goes to landfill in the UK, which could otherwise be used to heat homes and businesses.
Our boiler was installed in 2013 as part of an initiative to provide a greener supply of energy to the building.
Benefits of Commercial Biomass Boilers:
- Biomass Boilers are considered ‘Carbon Neutral’ if used sustainably
- Wood Pellets have a low ‘Ash content’
- Replacing a Gas or Oil boiler can save up to 9.5 Tonnes of Carbon annually
- The cost of Biomass Wood Pellets subsidised
Solar Panels
The Commercial Washrooms HQ has taken steps toward 100% environmentally friendly power, aiming to be entirely self-sufficient. As well as adding more Roof Insulation (which reduced the amount of energy needed by 75%) we also are powered largely by Solar Power.
In 2012, 240 solar panels were installed on the roof, providing enough electricity to power 10 houses. Year round, these solar panels provide approximately 75% of the electricity for the building, rising to 100% in the summer.
Learn more about our solar panels, biomass boiler, and other sustainable office initiatives on our Carbon Neutral Target Blog.
Recycled and Carbon Neutral Products
Our Changing Room Lockers and Changing Room Benches come from the only carbon zero locker and bench manufacturer in the UK. They are CFA PAS 2060 carbon neutral certified , confirming a commitment to offsetting carbon emissions and reducing environmental impact.
The scopes of carbon emissions are a great way to measure and assess a companys greenhouse gas emissions. The three scopes categorise the different kinds of emissions a company creates in its own operations and in its wider ‘value chain’ (its suppliers and customers).
Our Lockers and Benches comply with Scope 1 and Scope 2 requirements, with plans to achieve Scope 3 in the future. Take a look at the criteria for the three scopes below:
Scope 1: Direct emissions sources resulting from company owned machinery, facilities, and vehicles | Scope 2: Indirect emissions sources associated with the generation of electricity, heat, steam and/or cooling | Scope 3: Indirect emissions across all 15 categories including business travel, commuting, waste, and third party deliveries |
Eco-Friendly Bench Materials
Maintaining carbon neutral and eco manufacture is not just down the processes, but also the materials that the products are made from, including where and how they are sourced.
- Our Beech Wood Benches feature FSC-certified beech wood slats, which ensures sustainable sourcing and responsible forestry practices.
- Our Black Polymer Benches are made from fully recycled polymer, reducing our environmental impact from over consumption of materials.
Through this responsible sourcing raw materials and energy, we are able to minimise our carbon footprint. We are proud to offer what is believed to be the world's first carbon-neutral manufactured steel cloakroom range.
Using these lockers and benches in childrens school changing rooms will contribute to a sustainable future for the next generation.
Our manufacturing processes for our lockers and benches produce Zero landfill waste, Zero CO2 emissions, and Zero single-use plastic packaging. On top of this, our manufacturers have committed to achieving total net-zero emissions by 2025.
By utilising the the most modern machinery available in Europe, we proudly sell products created in the UK's most efficient steel cloakroom manufacturing facilities.
All of our lockers and benches are proudly made in the UK, minimising transportation emissions and supporting local manufacturing. The lockers and benches from our manufacturer, among other brands such as Pland, are accredited by Made in Britain ensuring a commitment to British craftsmanship and sustainability.
SaveWaterSaveMoney Membership
The aim of SaveWaterSaveMoney is to build awareness of water efficiency in the UK and offer the most effective water saving products available.
Through their app ‘GetWaterFit’, SWSM educates customers on their water use and strengthens businesses to drive effective water and energy efficiency, leading to both positive environmental and financial impact.
Their expertise has been developed since 2007 and has saved British homeowners from paying for over 51 billion litres of water through delivering over 2.5 million products to households and thus being the largest supplier of water saving devices in that market.
Our partnership with SWSM means that we work together to raise awareness about the importance of saving water, and provide practical solutions that help both households and businesses to reduce their water consumption.
Water Saving Products
You might be a facilities manager looking to do your part for the planet and save on your water bill. Or perhaps you're dealing with issues like unnecessary tap running and toilet flushing. Many of our products have great water saving abilities, here are some things to look out for when creating a water-saving washroom.
Waterless urinals, sensor taps, non-concussive taps, and low volume cisterns, all engineered to minimise water usage, while dual flush cisterns can create a more efficient flushing system.
Many products are are WRAS and BREEAM approved, meaning they meet the highest standards of environmental performance and water conservation. For increased impact transparency, some of our suppliers, such as Armitage Shanks, support the Unified Water Label which provides clear information on water usage. TMV3 approved products control water temperature and output, for user safety and water conservation.
Water fountains are another useful product to commit to sustainability and water conservation. They encourage the use of refillable water bottles, reducing the need for single use plastic bottles, and allow users to take what they need when they need it.
Take a look at some of the water saving products we have available:
Charity
At Commercial Washrooms, we are deeply committed to giving back to our community. We proudly support local charities such as Dorset Mind and Julia's House, organisations that make a significant impact on the lives of those they help. Dorset Mind provides vital mental health services, fostering resilience and well-being across our community.
Julia's House offers compassionate care to children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families, ensuring they receive the support and respite they need. This June, we are excited to host a golf day in aid of Julia's House. This event not only brings our community together but also enables us to contribute to the essential services these charities provide, reinforcing our commitment to making a positive difference locally.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Promoting sustainable and healthy lifestyles and encouraging employees not to drive is a key place to start when creating an eco-friendly workplace. We are proud to offer a cycle to work scheme for our employees, encouraging them to embrace alternative commuting options. To support this initiative, we are constructing a dedicated bike shed at our office.
Workplaces often lack on-site facilities for commuters to shower. This can discourage active travel (including walking and cycling) to and from work, as without the ability to freshen up, many people would be reluctant to travel this way. Some of our recent installation project have included commuter changing rooms, such as Bournemouth University and Poole Lighting, highlighting a shift many offices are making to endorse sustainable commuting.
Active modes of transport, like walking and cycling, will have significant public health benefits including improving air quality, encouraging active lifestyles, the benefits of sunlight to health and wellbeing, overall leading to positive impacts on both mental and physical health.
New Initiatives and Pledges
We believe these measures we have taken will have a positive influence on our environment and community, however there is always room to do more. At Commercial Washrooms, we want to commit to even more initiatives such as the following:
- Our Ecologi page shows our main environmental pledges that we are continually working on.
- There are plans in the near future to install even more solar panels, as well as batteries to store the excess power, to reach the goal of a completely sustainable and self-sufficient power supply.