Sustainable & Environmental Products

Conducting cleaning operations in a way that is 'environmentally friendly', doesn't just mean using chemicals that are safe for the environment, it means minimising all the many other environmental impacts that arise in making and using cleaning products, from energy consumption through to waste disposal. Our sustainable and environmental products are selected to reduce these impacts.

Our aim: To provide cleaning solutions that preserve the world's natural resources and reduce emissions to minimise pollution. Sustainability is about meeting our needs - in this context making things clean - without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The general concept of improving sustainability is simple: reduce consumption (to preserve the world's natural resources) and reduce emissions (to minimise pollution). Nationwide's sustainable products are sourced only from manufacturers who responsibly manage their manufacturing impacts, are chosen for their efficiency, effectiveness and safety, and who minimise their environmental impacts during distribution, during the cleaning operation and during waste disposal. All the products marked with the Sustainable Environment Logo conform to the European Reach Regulations, the IPPC (Integrated Pollution & Control), ISO 14001 Environmental Certification, and the Detergents Directive biodegradability for all cleaning products.

Nationwide also use a Sustainable Index which considers the impacts of the product across the whole life-cycle using independent, government backed criteria. The Nationwide Sustainable Index is based on the guidance produced by the trade associations, BACS and UKCPI, in defining the issues governing sustainability in the cleaning sector. The 'Sustainable Cleaning' document is supported by DEFRA and the Office of Government Commerce & Buying Solutions and comprises a compulsory element of the Public Sector purchasing.