Media Release: Wellington commercial cleaning company cleans up in the sustainability stakes

“Green cleaning” some of the most prestigious offices in the capital has washed well for commercial cleaners FocusServices.

The Wellington commercial cleaning company, FocusServices has been selected as a finalist in the 2009 Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Awards for the central and southern region.

With an impressive client list including some of the capital’s most prestigious office tenants such as NZX, Clemenger BBDO, The Treasury and Jeff Gray BMW, FocusServices provides a full cleaning service that is designed to leave a low environmental impact.

Founder and director corporate accounts, Joss Jenner-Leuthart says FocusServices uses biodegradable products such as rubbish bags, bin liners and cleaning products and waterless microfiber cloths as part of its overall waste management strategy.

It is currently trialling a new bucketless mopping system that reduces water consumption by 80 per cent when compared to traditional systems and offers an online portal for client communication that does away with the traditional cleaner’s book.

Jenner-Leuthart says the real achievement in terms of the recent SBN announcement is being considered a leader in sustainable business practices by the judging panel.

“We see ourselves as the new face of an age-old industry and are excited about making the finals as it provides further creditability to our work in operating a sustainable business.

“In this industry, like many others, the notion of ‘greenwashing’ is a constant issue as companies attempt to re-invent themselves to attract environmentally and socially aware customers. However, you can’t just slap the word ‘green’ or ‘eco’ to the side of your cars and think that does it,” he says.

Jenner-Leuthart says he’s built the company from the ground up based on principles of sustainability and corporate responsibility, and is proud of its achievements.

“From our low-emission vehicles, our community involvement and support of the Wellington City Mission, right through to our significantly higher-than-industry average employee wage rates and working conditions, we’ve taken a holistic approach to sustainability in all aspects of our operations.”

The company has ambitions to be the country’s first certified carbon neutral cleaning company, and with the assistance of carbon offset provider ‘Offset the Rest’, is working to reduce, measure and offset any remaining emissions. Progress reports are updated regularly on the company blog – www.focusservices.co.nz/blog

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For further information please contact:

Georgina Bond
Consultant
Wright Communications
(09) 366 2456
0275 444 716
georgina@wrightcommunications.co.nz