Every UK school will soon be required to have a climate action plan and sustainability lead, meaning aligning daily operations with sustainability goals is more important than ever. Cleaning and hygiene is a key requirement in all schools, and Forward Products is here to help you take meaningful climate action through smarter, safer, and greener cleaning and hygiene practices.
Here’s how cleaning and hygiene services can support the four pillars of the Department for Education’s Climate Action Plan.
1. Reduce single use plastic with refillable cleaning systems
Refillable cleaning products are designed to significantly reduce single use plastics and associated emissions. Schools can bulk buy cleaning chemicals and use them until they run out, when the containers are empty these are collected returned for refilling! This range of cleaning chemical creates a closed loop system that:
- Eliminates reliance on disposable packaging of ‘use-once’ cleaning products – with refillable bulk bottles and reusable trigger bottles, atomisers and recharger bottles
- Reduce on site waste and the volume of plastic going to landfill – helping to support the reduction of waste disposal costs
- Reduces Scope 3 emissions linked to purchased goods (want to understand GHG emissions scopes in more detail – the National Grid have a handy guide)
What climate action plan pillar does this support and how?
This supports carbon reduction under the Decarbonisation and Sustainable Operations pillar and helps to promote behaviour change to reduce waste and consumption. Find out more about return and refill cleaning chemicals here!
2. Choose sustainable products selected for schools
Prioritise cleaning products that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and low-VOC (low volatile organic compounds) – these formulations are not only safer for the planet, but also promote indoor air quality and occupational health.
Hygiene papers selected for schools can also help reduce the overuse of toilet paper and hand towels (no more messy washrooms covered in loo roll!), but also help prevent blockages with paper designed to quickly dissolve in water within 9 second and one-sheet-at-a-time dispensers.
What climate action plan pillar does this support and how?
Choosing eco-friendly products supports Decarbonisation and Sustainable Operations by embedding more sustainable procurement practices.
3. Improve efficiency and sustainability with cleaning & hygiene reviews
Cleaning and hygiene reviews aim to reduce costs, save your cleaning teams time, and help protect the planet. At Forward Products, we carry out expert-led review to help schools:
- Identify inefficiencies in cleaning routines – whether that’s using more products than necessary or inefficient methods
- Reduce overconsumption and overuse by uncovering products which haven’t been selected with schools in mind (like never ending unravelling toilet rolls!)
- Transition to eco-friendly alternatives with quantifiable impact
What climate action plan pillar does this support and how?
This consultative approach ensures hygiene practices don’t remain a blind spot in your operational carbon footprint, with tailored information on how we can reduce your cost in use and products to support Decarbonisation and Sustainable Operations. Find out more about cleaning and hygiene reviews here!
4. Engage your staff and improve safety with COSHH training
COSHH training shouldn’t just cover compliance – it should help empower your cleaning and site staff to be safety and sustainability champions. COSHH training with Forward Products includes:
- Safe handling of chemicals and cleaning products tailored to what you use
- Waste reduction habits and chemical selection selected specifically for your school
What climate action plan pillar does this support and how?
Empowering your team builds whole-school engagement with sustainability goals and improves resilience through better preparedness and risk management. Find out more about COSHH training here!
Too often, schools don’t know practical pathways for reducing environmental impact in everyday operations. That’s where Forward Products comes in – our cleaning and hygiene services are tailored to:
- Reduce single use plastic and waste to landfill
- Improve procurement sustainability practices
- Promote safer, healthier school environments
- Empower and support cleaning teams
Whether your school is just beginning to build its Climate Action Plan or looking to deepen its sustainability efforts, our team can provide a free review of your cleaning and hygiene systems – get in touch to speak to one of our experts! Call us on 01527 878348 or email us at sales@forwardproducts.co.uk
