Green before it was good PR
June 20th 2008 While many firms now recognise the demand for environmentally-friendly cleaning is growing,Kent-based Ridge Crest Cleaning was one of the first contract cleaners in the UK to achieve ISO 14001 – and claims to be the first in the country to operate a completely 'green' cleaning contract, with Maidstone Borough Council
When Ian Beach (pictured above) set up Ridge Crest Cleaning in 2004, he was clear about his mission."I knew there was a market for an environmentally friendly endto- end service provider with great commitment to customer service and a focus on quality. I wanted to make schools, offices and other business premises cleaner and fresher places for people to work in, with minimal impact on the environment," he says.
With over 20 year's experience working as a senior manager for some of the UK's leading business organisations such as the RAC, Ian had a clear notion of what businesses and other organisations were looking for when they hired a cleaning contractor. From the provision of hard working and trust worthy members of staff, to the manufacture, supply and storage of cleaning and toiletry products, he believed in making contract cleaning environmentally responsible.
With this compelling business philosophy, it's no surprise that just under four years since its inception, the Kent-based company is going from strength to strength, securing major contracts within its key educational, local government and retail sectors. It has enjoyed 80 per cent growth in turnover year on year and also claims to be the first company in the UK to operate a completely environmentally friendly cleaning contract, in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council.
Responding to an open tender for the provision of cleaning services, Ridge Crest Cleaning was selected from 40 applicants to be the Council's preferred cleaning contractors. Responsible for cleaning its offices and Council-run premises, Ridge Crest undertook a promise to use only environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning products. And the attention to detail was unrelenting.
Every bin liner had to be bio degradable and henceforth, the Council's paper towels and toilet rolls were to be manufactured from 100 per cent post consumer recycled and chlorine free products. Additionally, all the raw product materials had to be free from animal by-products and testing – and obtained from renewable sources.What's more, all storage containers and packaging had to contain high levels of recycled material with the packaging being recycled after use.
Three years on and Maidstone Borough Council's offices are now some of the cleanest and greenest in local government.What's more, Ridge Crest's services have helped the Council to win a major Environmental Award."Although the exact benefits are hard to quantify,we're undoubtedly playing a substantial role in reducing deforestation and pollution," says Waste Collection Officer, David Campbell Lenaghan."We're extremely proud to be leading the way in the provision of eco-friendly public services." Following the successful implementation of this seven-year contract, Ridge Crest has adopted a similar approach for all of its subsequent cleaning contracts. In line with Beach's original intentions, commitment to the environment is now an integral part of the company's mission statement with recycling, saving paper and using LPG vehicles forming an established day-to-day means of conducting business for the company's 360 employees. Ridge Crest is also working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2010.
When it comes to recognising its responsibilities to safeguard the environment, Ridge Crest is entirely up front about its commitments."The 'front line' in provision of green cleaning services at Ridge Crest comes in the close liaison between client, supplier and local site management," says Beach. "It is these three combined that develop the solutions required for compliance with strict – and expanding – environmental legislation." With other contractors now beginning to think about providing 'green' contracts, Ridge Crest's approach provides a clear benchmark, demonstrating that it is possible to service large cleaning contracts, while operating in an environmentally friendly manner.
"We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment, while maintaining our rigorous quality standards," concludes Beach."We have worked hard to come up with an environmentally responsible solution – without passing on the cost to the client. And it has definitely been worth the effort."
For further information, either call the company on the number below or visit www.cleaning-matters.co.uk and use the free enquiry system. Just enter the five digit number in the blue box into the search engine and email Ridge Crest directly. More articles from Ridge Crest Cleaning Ltd: | 
