Sustainability is no longer judged by policy statements alone. Organisations are increasingly expected to demonstrate measurable environmental performance across their entire supply chain. That includes cleaning.

For many businesses, cleaning services sit within Scope 3 emissions under “Purchased Goods and Services”. Yet few providers can evidence the environmental impact of the products used on site.

At JR&Co, we believe cleaning deserves the same rigour and transparency as any other operational function. That is why, across the majority of our client sites, we use 2Pure’s OdorBac Tec⁴ as our primary cleaning solution.

A multi-purpose solution designed for commercial environments

OdorBac Tec⁴, developed by 2Pure, is a patented multi-surface cleaning and disinfection solution designed specifically for commercial use.

It cleans, disinfects and eliminates odour in a single application. The formulation is effective against bacteria and enveloped viruses, making it suitable for routine hygiene across workplaces, educational settings and public environments.

Unlike many traditional industrial cleaning products, OdorBac Tec⁴ is non-hazardous, non-irritant and non-carcinogenic, and it does not require hazard warning symbols under EU CLP regulations. The formulation is readily biodegradable and designed to be safer for users and the environment when used responsibly.

Its patented technology does not simply mask odours. It works by neutralising odour compounds at a molecular level while also inhibiting the growth of odour-causing microbes. This means surfaces are cleaned and sanitised rather than fragranced.

Because it performs effectively across most daily cleaning tasks, we use OdorBac Tec⁴ as our standard solution on the majority of client sites. This reduces the need for multiple aggressive chemical products and allows stronger specialist chemistry to be reserved only where genuinely required.

Independently verified carbon footprint

Environmental claims must be supported by evidence.

An independent Life Cycle Assessment confirms that OdorBac Tec⁴ has a cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of 0.0631 kg CO₂e per litre of concentrate, excluding the use phase. The assessment was carried out in accordance with GHG Protocol and ISO 14040 and 14044 standards.

This provides our clients with transparent, defensible data rather than general sustainability statements.

Carbon neutral and carbon negative credentials

The environmental commitment extends beyond measurement.

OdorBac Tec⁴ is certified carbon neutral when excluding the use phase, with verified Gold Standard offsetting applied. Additional carbon credits are then applied to account for emissions generated during the use phase itself, making the product carbon negative at the point of purchase.

This means the product not only offsets its lifecycle impact but goes further to create a net positive carbon position.

Circular economy principles in practice

Environmental responsibility is not limited to carbon.

All OdorBac Tec⁴ packaging is manufactured using 100 per cent recycled plastic. In addition, 2Pure’s LoopBox container reuse system enables containers to be returned, cleaned and reused, significantly reducing single-use plastic waste.

This closed-loop approach reduces embedded carbon, lowers plastic consumption and supports wider circular economy objectives.

Why this matters for your ESG goals

Cleaning is a visible part of your workplace environment and a measurable part of your environmental footprint.

Choosing a cleaning service built on independently verified carbon data, certified carbon neutrality, carbon negative credentials and circular packaging principles strengthens sustainability reporting and reduces reputational risk. It supports Scope 3 transparency and demonstrates responsible procurement decisions.

But these procurement decisions do not sit behind the scenes. They shape how your organisation is experienced by employees, visitors and stakeholders. As we explored in our article on The importance of a strong first impression, the way a workplace is presented influences how organisations are perceived. Today, that perception increasingly includes environmental responsibility. Cleanliness, hygiene and sustainability are interconnected.

For us, and consequently for the organisations we work with, this is not an isolated product decision. It forms part of the wider commitments set out in our latest Sustainability Report, where we outline how we are reducing impact across our operations and supply chain, and how we support clients in meeting their environmental, social and governance objectives.

Supporting your sustainability objectives

Sustainability is shaped by decisions made across your supply chain. Cleaning may represent one part of that picture, but it is visible, practical and symbolic of wider standards.

By selecting solutions such as OdorBac Tec⁴, we aim to support our clients’ environmental, social and governance goals with measurable data, responsible product selection and proportionate operational practice.

If you are working towards specific ESG targets, sustainability reporting milestones or procurement requirements, we would welcome a conversation about how your cleaning service can continue to support them.

2025 has been a year of meaningful recognition for JR&Co. Not because we chase awards for their own sake, but because they reflect the care, commitment and undivided attention our people bring to their work every day.

Across sustainability, environmental responsibility and service excellence, these awards recognise teams and projects that quietly raise standards across the business.

Recognised for sustainability leadership

One of the highlights of the year was our Business Support Services Team being named Team of the Year at the National Sustainability Awards. The award recognised the team’s sustained contribution to embedding sustainability into how JR&Co operates, from systems and reporting to everyday decision making.

We were also named winners of the Environmental (ESG) Award at the BICSc Awards. This recognised our responsible and ethical approach to cleaning, and our continued investment in people, processes and sustainable practices across the business.

Shortlisted for positive climate action

Our work on Sustainable Synergy was shortlisted at the IWFM Impact Awards in the Positive Climate Action category. The project brings together waste reduction, smarter resource use and practical collaboration, showing how focused change can deliver real environmental impact.

Gold recognition for innovation and waste management

At the Green Apple Awards, JR&Co received two Gold Awards. These recognised excellence in innovation and waste management, and reinforced the value of taking a long-term, joined-up approach to sustainability rather than chasing quick wins.

Looking ahead to 2026

The year closed with further recognition as JR&Co was named a finalist at the Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards. We were shortlisted in two categories, Sustainability Leadership and Going the Extra Mile, with the awards taking place in 2026.

What this recognition means to us

These awards matter because they reflect the work happening behind the scenes. Thoughtful planning. Consistent standards. Teams who care about doing things properly, even when no one is watching.

They also reinforce something we have always believed. When you support people properly and give them the space to focus, better outcomes follow.

We are proud of the recognition. Even more proud of the people behind it.

Thank Your Cleaner Day gave us the chance to pause and say something simple and important: thank you.

Every day, JR&Co cleaners give their undivided attention to spaces most people move through as part of their routine. Offices, schools, cultural buildings and busy public places. Work done carefully, consistently and with real pride.

For us, this day reflects something we believe all year round. Cleaning done well depends on people feeling seen, supported and respected. When cleaners are valued, they do better work. And when they do better work, everyone benefits.

The video we shared captures a few moments of recognition. Nothing flashy. Just genuine thanks, shared face to face. Because appreciation does not need dressing up. It just needs to be meant.

To all our cleaners, thank you for your skill, your commitment and the undivided attention you bring to your work every day. We see it. And we are proud of it.

The temptation can be to view Health & Safety as a simple compliance exercise—a tick-box activity to satisfy the regulator. At our organisation, we see things differently. We believe that an uncompromising safety culture isn’t a cost overhead; it’s a fundamental pillar of operational excellence. 

At JR&Co, we champion “the power of undivided attention.” When our teams apply this level of focused commitment to their surroundings, quality naturally follows. This focus is the foundation of our culture and a reflection of the stringent operational discipline we apply to every task. Our Operations Director, Caroline Hutchins, recently distilled this philosophy into a simple, powerful reminder for our teams: “Don’t walk past.”

From Compliance to Commitment 

When discussing the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, most people know it places responsibility on the employer. What is often missed, however, is that the employee also shares responsibility for a safe environment. The legislation is designed to protect everyone—we all want to go home safe and sound, and we expect the same for our teams.
This is why we treat risk assessments and method statements not just as legal requirements, but as living documents. They are there to ensure that our teams, whether on a client’s site or in a corporate office, return home safely. It’s not about relying on regulations and checkbox exercises; it’s a proactive discipline. This commitment, centred around the individual’s dedication to self and team, is what truly elevates our service delivery. 

The most common incidents—the simple slips, trips, and falls—demonstrate that it is often the small details that carry the greatest risk. The habit of vigilance prevents these issues long before they become an accident. 

The Power of Reporting: A Continuous Improvement Engine 

Our “Don’t walk past” mandate is essentially a commitment to undivided attention and continuous improvement. We instruct every employee, from front-line staff to head office personnel, to report any potential hazard, no matter how trivial it seems. 

Why is this vigilance so crucial for our clients? 

When an organisation views every reported near-miss or minor hazard as a valuable data point, it transforms safety into an analytical, predictive tool: 

• Mitigation and Learning: Every report feeds into our central learning system, helping us see trends and patterns across sites, preventing minor issues from escalating into significant incidents. 

• Minimising Disruption: Accidents cause downtime, damage assets, and lead to service interruption. By enforcing proactive reporting, we reduce costly downtime, ensuring we remain a reliable and consistent partner to your business.  

• Operational Efficiency: A safer working environment means reduced sickness and less time spent on complex post-incident paperwork. This boosts our teams’ overall productivity and focus, meaning a more efficient and better service delivery for you. 

Consistency Over Complacency 

A genuinely effective safety culture is revealed in the actions taken when no one is looking. This requires an intrinsic sense of duty and a consistent approach to systems. 

We emphasise that safety is rooted in system consistency. Consider the humble wet floor sign: it’s effective only if it’s put out immediately when needed, and crucially, taken away the moment the hazard is gone. If signs are left out permanently, they become visual noise—people stop paying attention, and the system fails. Ultimately, safety signs and manuals don’t prevent accidents; safe people and robust systems do. 

By embedding this proactive, non-negotiable culture of “Don’t walk past,” we ensure that our personnel are constantly vigilant and responsible. This dedicated approach to Health & Safety is one of the most reliable indicators that we treat your business, your assets, and your people with the proper care. Safe people are disciplined people, and disciplined people deliver a higher quality of service. 

In a recent article for FM Business Daily, Caroline Hutchins (Operations Director) shared vital insights on why the wellbeing of cleaning teams must be fundamental to service quality.

It’s easy to talk about high standards, but consistently delivering them comes down to one thing: people. Caroline argues compellingly that when you put your frontline cleaning team first, the positive impact ripples through the entire service chain, strengthening consistency and boosting client trust.

Why ‘People-First’ is a Business Strategy

For us, cleaner wellbeing isn’t just a corporate social responsibility initiative; it’s the foundation of a reliable, high-quality operation.
As the article explores, investing in our teams through genuine recognition, support, and a sense of community is crucial for long-term retention and service excellence. Our Director highlights how initiatives—from our annual Summer Party to the JR&Co Stars Awards—create a culture where every person matters, and this appreciation shines through in the work they deliver.

Ultimately, we believe that when our teams feel valued and empowered, they can approach their work with focus and pride. That’s what high standards truly look like.

Read the Full Feature

We encourage all our clients and partners to read the full article to gain deeper insight into how we are embedding cleaner wellbeing into the heart of our operations.

Read “Putting People First: Why Cleaners’ Wellbeing Must Be at the Heart of FM”, on the FM Business Daily website here: Read the full article in FM Business Daily

At JR&Co, we know that genuine progress doesn’t happen by accident. It begins with attention — the kind that doesn’t drift, doesn’t cut corners, and doesn’t settle for good enough.

This year’s Sustainability Report reflects what happens when you give something your full focus. It captures a year of deliberate action and long-term thinking across emissions, waste, energy and social value.

As our Managing Director Chris Jarvis puts it, “Sustainability isn’t a destination we’ll one day arrive at. It’s a practice.” And at JR&Co, it’s a practice we’ve embedded into how we lead, how we work, and how we serve.

Highlights from the 2024 reporting year include:

• Achieving 95% electric fleet (100% achieved in April 2025)
• Remaining carbon neutral for the third year running
• A 44% reduction in total waste
• B Corp certification and a renewed commitment to net zero
• Continued investment in renewable energy and closed-loop systems
• Fair pay, structured development and recognition programmes for our people
• Ongoing support for The Felix Project and other community initiatives

These results matter but so does the intent behind them. Every figure in this report stems from a choice to do better. To act, not just promise. To focus, not defer.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but more than that, we’re proud of the standard we now hold ourselves to.

📖 Read the full report ⤵️

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that JR&Co has won the highly coveted Environmental (ESG) Award at the annual British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) Awards!

The BICSc Awards recognise excellence, professionalism, and innovation across the cleaning industry, and we are immensely proud to have taken home the trophy for the our holistic approach to responsible cleaning.

The recognition by BICSc validates our continuous efforts to raise standards and deliver exceptional service and is a just reward for the dedication and commitment of every person at JR&Co.

Lauren Hanley, Business Support Services Director and ESG Champion said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this award. It reflects the hard work and forward thinking that my team and I try to instil throughout the business. Thank you to Vânia Borges, our QSE Manager for her brilliant work, without her none of this would be possible.”

We extend our sincere thanks to our clients, partners, to BICSc and, most importantly, our phenomenal staff. This win belongs to all of you. Here’s to continuing to lead the way in responsible cleaning!

What do you do with decommissioned appliances? You could recycle them, but at JR&Co, we saw an opportunity to do something more. We decided to give them a brand-new purpose, and in doing so, we created a greener space for our team and demonstrated our commitment to the circular economy and sustainable cleaning. This is the story of our Henry Garden Project.

We took old, retired Henry vacuum cleaners and gave them a second life as unique planters for our Battersea head office backyard. This simple idea allowed us to breathe new life into old tech, transforming a waste challenge into a source of nourishment and joy. It’s an idea that successfully diverted over 30 vacuums from the waste stream with a minimal investment of under £50.

The project was made possible by the hands-on work of Carlos and Bladimir, who meticulously cleaned and prepared the Henrys, drilling drainage holes and setting them up with compost. From these upcycled planters, the team at head office has grown a variety of edible plants, including spinach, tomatoes, and strawberries, as well as beautiful sunflowers and bee-pollinating wildflowers. The project has not only made our outdoor area more vibrant but has also supported biodiversity and helped reduce the need for single-use plastic plant pots.

This is more than just a garden; it’s a living example of our commitment to sustainability and our B Corp values. We’re proud to announce that the Henry Garden Project has been recognised with a prestigious Green Apple Award, celebrating our work in environmental best practice. It’s one of two Green Apple awards we’ve won this year, along with an award for our waste management project, and we couldn’t be more proud of our team.

If you’d like to find out how our team can help you contribute to the circular economy, please get in touch.

We’re proud to announce that JR&Co has once again been recognised at the International Green Apple Environment Awards for the second year running.

From more than 700 global entries, two of our initiatives stood out. Our Henry Garden project and our Waste Management Excellence programme were both honoured, placing us firmly among the world’s leading environmental champions.

This recognition matters. Because for us, sustainability isn’t a marketing message or a side project. It is woven into the way we work. From the way we train and manage our teams to the choices we make about materials, methods and partnerships, every decision is made with people and planet in mind.

Our thanks go to Vania, our Quality, Sustainability and Environment Manager, and Lauren, our Business Support Services Director, for leading the charge. And to the whole JR&Co team for turning commitment into action every day.

Sustainability isn’t just what we do. It is how we clean.

On Saturday 19 July, the JR&Co community came together in Battersea Park to celebrate 31 years of delivering cleaning with care, professionalism and pride.

The weather tried to get in the way. The skies were grey, the rain showed up early, and train cancellations made travel difficult. But the spirit of our people shone through. Those who came brought energy, good humour and plenty of smiles. And together, we turned a rainy Saturday into a celebration worth remembering.

There was food, music and dancing. There were wet shoes, shared stories and a real sense of connection. This was more than a party. It was a thank you to the 1,300 cleaners who give their undivided attention every day. It was a chance to look back at what we’ve built and look ahead to what comes next.

We want to thank everyone who made it possible.

• To our generous sponsors: Bunzl, Liberty Hygiene, Londonwide Cleaning Services, Recorra, RS Cleaning Machines and WB Floor Machines.
• To Music Nest Productions, who kept the music going and helped create an atmosphere that brought the afternoon to life.
• To our head office volunteers, who helped things run smoothly from start to finish.
• And especially to Rosa Bessa, who brought it all together with dedication and care.

Most of all, thank you to everyone who came. You reminded us that no matter the weather, when we come together as a team, we create something special.

Watch the video. Browse the photos*. And relive the joy. (* Opens in new tab)