Sustainability at the core of our business

Environmental and sustainability efforts are a cornerstone of Northclean’s business philosophy. We take responsibility for the environment in our role as a supplier, employer and service partner to our customers.

ESG – For a profitable &
sustainable future

ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) covers sustainability-related matters affecting both businesses and society. It is about responsible business practices while promoting long-term profitability and sustainable growth.

Northclean has integrated ESG principles into its operations in several ways.

Environmental – We continuously work to improve our environmental performance. Parts of our cleaning equipment and cleaning products are eco-labelled, and we are actively working towards a greener and more sustainable vehicle fleet to reduce our climate impact.

Social – We promote employee wellbeing and equality, while investing in training and knowledge sharing. Through engagement in community initiatives, we contribute to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities.

Governance – Our governance framework is built on clear objectives related to social responsibility and the green transition. We have strengthened our internal processes and increased transparency in our reporting.

Northclean is Nordic Swan Ecolabel certified

Being certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel is more than an achievement – it represents a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development. The certification confirms our dedication to sustainability and environmentally responsible operations.

As a Nordic Swan Ecolabel certified service provider, we go beyond compliance with laws and regulations. We actively work to reduce our environmental impact by optimizing processes, minimizing resource consumption and promoting recycling. By meeting the strict criteria of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, we demonstrate our commitment to leading by example within our industry.

Hello!

My name is Petra Marques, and I am Sustainability Manager and Trainer at Northclean. In my role, I work with monitoring, planning and developing our sustainability and environmental initiatives. This includes identifying areas for improvement, training our staff and implementing concrete actions. It is my responsibility to ensure that sustainability efforts are integrated throughout the entire company. That is how we can make a real difference – for people, society and the future.

This Month’s Sustainability Focus

Follow our sustainability journey, where each month I highlight inspiring green initiatives we are proud of – and where we are making a real impact. We call it our Sustainability Focus of the Month.

Sustainability
in our client operations

We continuously integrate our environmental initiatives into our employees’ daily work at client sites. This is achieved through ongoing training in environmentally responsible cleaning methods, work practices, and the use of eco-friendly cleaning products and equipment.

We ensure that our service employees are equipped with ergonomic and purpose-built cleaning machinery and tools. When purchasing equipment, cleaning products and consumables, we always consider both environmental and health impacts.

From 2020 to 2022, the share of eco-labelled cleaning products increased from 60% to 80%. We continuously work to reduce the use of chemicals in order to protect both people and the environment in the best possible way.

Our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including 17 global goals. The responsibility for achieving these goals lies with each country. In Sweden, the national strategy includes specific environmental objectives aligned with the ecological targets within Agenda 2030. At Northclean, we have aligned our business model with the four goals where we believe we can make the greatest impact.

Environmental Objectives

We consistently use environmentally responsible methods, machinery and products. This is ensured through our centralized procurement function. Through careful planning and logistics, we minimize transportation and ensure it is carried out with the lowest possible environmental impact. We continuously improve our operations from an environmental perspective – for the benefit of our clients, employees and the wider community.

Northclean’s concrete environmental objectives include:

All purchases of cleaning materials (microfibre cloths and mops) must be eco-labelled.
90% of all cleaning-related chemicals must be eco-labelled.
All purchases of hygiene products (toilet paper and paper towels) must be 100% eco-labelled.
85% of our vehicle fleet must consist of environmentally classified vehicles. An environmentally classified vehicle is defined as either fossil-free or having certified maximum emissions of 35g CO₂ per kilometre in its standard configuration at the time of order.

Environmental Management System

We operate in accordance with an environmental management system supported by action plans designed to achieve established environmental objectives and minimize negative environmental impact. The system defines the structure of our environmental work. Policies and procedures are integrated into our common management system, which meets the requirements of ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and ISO 45001.