The landscape of waste management is changing. By 31 March 2025, the Simpler Recycling legislative reforms will be in full swing, requiring businesses across England to adopt standardised recycling practices. This isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s about creating a sustainable future and avoiding potential penalties. Let’s break down what these changes mean for your business.

Download Your Simpler Recycling Checklist Here: JR&Co - The Simpler Recycling Checklist

What You Need to Know

The Simpler Recycling reforms are being phased in, with larger businesses required to comply first. The goal is to ensure consistent recycling practices nationwide. At a minimum, your business will need to segregate the following materials:

• Dry Mixed Recycling: Including glass bottles and jars, metal cans and tins, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays, and paper and cardboard.
• Food Waste: All food waste, including peelings, plate scrapings, and out-of-date food.
• General Waste: For non-recyclable items.

It is important to remember that these are minimum requirements, and more specific waste streams may be required.

How This Impacts Your Business

The Simpler Recycling reforms will necessitate significant operational adjustments for your business. To comply, you’ll need to:

• Implement Segregated Waste Streams: Provide clearly labelled, separate bins for dry mixed recycling, food waste, and general waste.
• Establish Collection Protocols: Ensure these materials are collected and processed through appropriate channels, including recycling, anaerobic digestion, or composting.
• Invest in Staff Training: Conduct comprehensive training programs to educate employees on proper waste segregation procedures.
• Allocate Resources: Prepare for the financial and logistical demands of new waste management infrastructure and processes.
• Mitigate Compliance Risks: Understand that non-compliance can result in substantial fines and potential business disruptions.
• Enhance Brand Image: Recognise the positive impact of effective waste management on your brand reputation and potential to attract environmentally conscious customers.

Planning ahead is crucial to ensure a smooth transition.

Remember that failure to comply could result in fines, so it’s important to get this right. At Julius Rutherfoord & Co. we’d be happy to help you achieve that.

JR&Co’s Role in a Cleaner, Compliant Environment

Beyond avoiding penalties, maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace is essential to employee well-being and productivity, and these new regulations directly impact this. By ensuring proper waste segregation and collection, we help you maintain both compliance and a healthy work environment. At JR&Co, we’re here to ensure your business makes a smooth and compliant transition.

We will ensure:

• Expert Guidance. We provide expert advice on designing and implementing efficient waste segregation systems, tailored to your specific needs.
• Guaranteed Sanitary Conditions: We will ensure your waste disposal areas are kept consistently clean and sanitary, preventing health hazards and maintaining a positive work environment.
• Proactive Bin Hygiene: We provide deep cleaning of bins and bin areas, eliminating odours and bacteria, and ensuring compliance with hygiene standards.
• Productive Workplaces: We will help ensure your workplace is a clean, productive, and compliant environment, enhancing your brand image and customer perception.

Next Steps

Don’t wait until the last minute. The 2025 deadline is approaching and early preparation is crucial—so give this your undivided attention now! Book a free consultation with our team to discuss your specific waste management needs and ensure your business stays compliant.

Download Your Simpler Recycling Checklist Here: JR&Co - The Simpler Recycling Checklist

At JR&Co, we believe that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We’re constantly improving, adapting, and innovating to minimise our environmental impact. This pursuit of progress led us to The Sustainability Expo at Olympia last week, where we joined other businesses and sustainability leaders seeking practical insights and innovative solutions.

Vania Borges, our Quality, Sustainability & Environment Manager, said: “The event was a great opportunity to step back, listen, and learn. It will help us refine our own approach to sustainable and responsible cleaning.”

Here’s what Vania took away from the event and how it will shape our work at JR&Co.

1. Sustainability is about action, not intention

There’s no shortage of businesses talking about sustainability, but the real impact comes from turning words into action. The event highlighted how organisations across industries are moving beyond “quick wins” to make deep, lasting changes that prioritise people and the planet.

Many of the discussions reinforced the idea that it is not grand, unrealistic promises, but small, meaningful changes and consistent effort that truly drives progress.

This resonates deeply with our approach at JR&Co. We don’t just focus on individual sustainable actions; we embed sustainable thinking into every facet of our business. It’s not enough to just set targets; we integrate sustainability into everything we do—from the products we use to the training we provide our teams.

Here are some examples of significant steps we’ve already taken:

• Our Head Office is powered by 100% renewable energy, and we’ve electrified 95% of our fleet.
• Replaced paper site-files with digital QR codes, saving 14 trees each year.
• Invested in circular economy cleaning products, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.
• Continuously exploring new, non-toxic cleaning products that maintain hygiene without harming the environment.

3. AI and sustainability: two fast-changing worlds

Another topic that stood out was the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainability. Both fields are evolving at an incredible pace, and AI is increasingly being used to analyse sustainability data, optimise resource management, and improve decision-making.

“The rapid progression of both Sustainability and AI is creating new opportunities for integration. AI is already making data analysis more reliable, and in the future, sustainability reporting might be held to the same level of scrutiny as financial data.” – Vania

This has exciting implications for the cleaning industry. As AI-driven solutions continue to develop, they could help us further refine our sustainability strategies by reducing waste, improving efficiency, and ensuring even greater transparency.

5. Collaboration is the key to progress

The Sustainability Expo reinforced a crucial truth: no business can tackle sustainability alone.

Whether it’s through partnerships, industry collaboration, or sharing knowledge, we all have a role to play in pushing sustainability forward.

We believe that working together is the most powerful way to drive change. That’s why we actively engage with:

• Suppliers: We partner with suppliers who share our commitment to environmental and ethical values.
• Clients: We’re committed to helping our clients achieve their own sustainability goals.
• Industry Networks: We actively participate in industry events and sustainability networks to stay informed about the latest innovations and best practices.

When businesses come together with a shared purpose, the impact is far greater than what any of us can achieve alone. By working together, we can amplify our impact and create a more sustainable future for everyone.

At Julius Rutherfoord & Co, achieving B Corp certification was more than just a milestone; it was a reflection of who we are as a business.

In a recent interview with FM Director Magazine, our Managing Director, Chris Jarvis, and Business Support Services Director, Lauren Hanley, shared their thoughts on the journey, the challenges, and what it means to use business as a force for good.

From sustainability to community impact, here’s a closer look at how JR&Co is shaping the future of ethical and responsible cleaning.

A business built on accountability and responsibility

Since day one, JR&Co has been driven by a commitment to fairness and quality. This foundation naturally aligned with the principles of B Corp certification, which prioritises accountability, transparency, and positive impact.

Reflecting on this alignment, Chris Jarvis explained:

“The founding value of the business was the desire to create a fairer, higher quality cleaning company, and to ultimately impact the industry in a positive way. That aligns very well with B Corp’s values, which revolve around accountability and responsibility.”

Beyond certification: real action, real impact

For JR&Co, the B Corp framework has helped enhance initiatives that have long been part of our DNA—particularly in giving back to the community.

Lauren Hanley highlighted the increase in volunteering hours as one example of how we’re turning values into action.

Innovating for a changing industry

The cleaning industry faces growing challenges, from rising costs to shrinking workforces. For Chris, the answer lies in innovation, particularly in how technology can make cleaning smarter and more sustainable.

“The challenge in the cleaning industry now is about how to become more productive and how to do more with less resources. You have to look to technology to solve that problem,” he explained.

One such innovation is data-led cleaning, which leverages smart building technology to align cleaning tasks with actual usage. While still in its infancy, Chris sees it as a major opportunity:

“These technologies are still in their infancy, but I definitely see more of this in the future of cleaning.”

Looking ahead: raising the bar

As a B Corp-certified company, JR&Co is committed to continuous improvement. With recertification required every three years, the focus is on embedding the values of B Corp into everything we do, both internally and externally.

Lauren outlined her vision for the year ahead:

“For this year, I think for me it’s about just strengthening the understanding across the business and clients of what it actually means. I want to make sure we keep having these conversations to ensure that eventually our staff live and breathe the values and standards of the certification.”

Chris added:

“We are always looking for opportunities to improve by thinking outside the box and considering what more we can do as a business to have that positive impact on the community around us.”

Explore the full interview

To read more about our journey to B Corp certification and the insights shared by Chris and Lauren, check out the full interview in FM Director Magazine or on FM Business Daily.

JR&Co recently scooped not one, but two Green Apple Environment Awards. We sat down with Vania Borges, Quality Sustainability & Environment Manager, to find out more about the winning projects and JR&Co’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Firstly, for those who don’t know, what are the Green Apple Environment Awards?

The Green Apple Environment Awards are a big deal! They’re an annual international campaign to recognise and promote environmental best practice around the world. They’ve been running since 1994 and are one of the most popular environmental campaigns globally. They have both international and national awards, and we applied for two national awards.

And you won! Tell us about the projects.

We did! We won Silver for the QR codes/site files project and Bronze for fleet electrification.

What were the main challenges?

The biggest challenge was overcoming resistance to change. Some of our cleaning teams were hesitant to use technology. To address this, we held training sessions and made sure we had a comprehensive roll-out plan. Our operation managers were trained on how to access the site files and taught their staff how to do the same. Managers don’t update the site files themselves – they are maintained centrally to ensure consistency and accuracy.

What are the benefits?

This project has significantly reduced our carbon footprint and ensured our cleaning operatives always have access to the most up-to-date information. It’s also far more efficient. Our managers no longer need to travel to update or check files, which means they have more time to support our teams to provide clients’ premises with their undivided attention.

What are the benefits?

This project benefits everyone. Whether our team is fixing machinery, delivering equipment to site, or simply travelling between sites, they’re doing it in electric vehicles, which drastically reduces our carbon emissions. It also sends a clear message to our clients that we care about our shared environmental impact.

What’s next?

We’ll be replacing that last van this year. We’re also looking at ways to make our transport operations even more efficient. By using data, we can optimise our operations, which benefits the company, our clients, and the planet.

Looking further ahead, what are your plans for 2025 and beyond?

Our main sustainability goal is to bring forward our net-zero targets. We originally aimed for 2050, but we’re planning to be even more ambitious. We’ve always been ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability, and we’re determined to keep pushing ourselves.

We recently became a certified B Corporation, and we’ll be doing some more work to build on that certification throughout the year. Certifications like this push us to continually improve, as the guidelines evolve annually, ensuring we follow stricter best practices for sustainability every year.

We’re constantly exploring how we can improve, even beyond the scope of awards and certifications. It’s important to us to find ways to make a real difference.

At Julius Rutherfoord & Co, we are proud to have achieved B Corp certification, a significant milestone that has already sparked insightful conversations across our community. While the certification itself is an honour, we see it as so much more than an accolade. It is a testament to who we are and what we stand for as a company — and a call to action for the future.

Our Managing Director, Chris Jarvis, recently shared his thoughts on what this achievement means for JR&Co., and his words echo the heart of our mission:

“I’m very proud to announce that we are now a Certified B Corporation. This achievement recognises our commitment to the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. As a B Corp, we carefully consider the impact of every decision we make, not just on our clients, but also on our teams, our communities, and the planet.”

Watch Chris’s full message in the video below:

Living our values

For JR&Co, becoming a B Corp is not a destination but a journey. The certification process challenged us to examine every aspect of our operations, from our environmental footprint to our relationships with staff, clients, and suppliers. It reinforced the importance of sustainability, ethical leadership, and creating positive impacts wherever we operate.

Chris highlighted that this ongoing commitment is what drives us: “We’re dedicated to providing exceptional service whilst positively contributing to society and the environment.”

What it means for our clients and team

For our clients, B Corp certification is a promise. It’s the assurance that JR&Co operates with integrity, transparency, and a focus on long-term value. We’re here to be more than just a service provider; we aim to be a trusted partner who shares your vision for a sustainable future.

For our team, this certification is a reflection of the culture we’ve built together. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated staff, who consistently bring passion and undivided attention to everything they do. Their efforts make a real difference, not just for our clients but for the broader community.

Looking ahead

While we celebrate this milestone, our focus is firmly on the future. The B Corp certification has given us a roadmap to continue improving and innovating. Watch this space for more updates as we take further steps to enhance sustainability, support our team, and positively impact the community.

As Chris puts it, “Together, we’re working towards a cleaner, more responsible future and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this path. Together, we’re proving that businesses can thrive while making a positive impact on the world. If you’d like to learn more about our journey or discuss how we can collaborate on shared goals, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to a brighter, more sustainable future!

October saw us proudly celebrating Thank Your Cleaner Day, a special occasion dedicated to recognising the incredible individuals who are the backbone of clean, safe, and welcoming environments across London. At JR&Co, this is a day we value, as it shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes who bring our ethos of undivided attention to life.

A day to reflect and celebrate

From bustling offices to busy schools, every clean space is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our cleaners. Thank Your Cleaner Day gave us the perfect opportunity to pause, connect, and show our gratitude in person.

Our Head Office Centres of Excellence joined forces with the operations teams, visiting sites across London to share their appreciation and offer small tokens of thanks to our on-site teams. From the early-morning starts to late-evening finishes, their focus and expertise never go unnoticed.

Capturing the spirit of the day

The day brought genuine moments of connection, with on-site recognition and thoughtful conversations highlighting the impact of our teams’ hard work.

Take a look at the highlights from the day in our Thank Your Cleaner Day video. It perfectly captures the energy, gratitude, and team spirit that define JR&Co.

Why we celebrate

Cleaners do so much more than keep spaces tidy—they create environments where people can feel comfortable, productive, and safe. At JR&Co, we see this every day. We know the importance of empowering our cleaners with excellent training, fair wages, and the recognition they deserve.

But Thank Your Cleaner Day goes beyond JR&Co. It’s a reminder for everyone to take a moment to appreciate those who ensure our spaces are ready for whatever the day brings.

Thank You to our JR&Co Heroes

To all our cleaners: thank you. You are the heart of everything we do. Your commitment and care make a tangible difference, not just to our clients but to everyone who steps into the spaces you keep so meticulously clean.

Every clean desk, every shining floor, and every spotless restroom is a reflection of your dedication. We are proud to have you as part of our JR&Co family.

Here’s to you, our cleaning heroes. Thank you for all that you do!

Julius Rutherfoord & Co (JR&Co), one of London’s largest independent cleaning companies, is proud to announce its official B Corp certification. This recognition underscores JR&Co’s commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices, placing it among a global community of companies dedicated to using business as a force for good.

B Corp certification is awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. As a certified B Corp, JR&Co now joins a prestigious group of businesses focused on creating positive impacts across their operations. The certification is a testament to JR&Co’s ongoing commitment to aligning its practices with broader societal values, ensuring that each decision considers the wellbeing of clients, employees, communities, and the environment.

For JR&Co’s clients, partnering with a certified B Corp means choosing a provider that not only delivers exceptional cleaning but also prioritises sustainability and ethical practices at every level. By upholding the values embedded in the B Corp certification, JR&Co sets a new benchmark for responsible business in the cleaning industry.

For more information about JR&Co’s B Corp certification and its continued dedication to responsible business, please visit www.juliusrutherfoord.co.uk.

About Julius Rutherfoord & Co

Founded in 1994 by two brothers-in-law, Julius Rutherfoord & Co is one of London’s largest independent cleaning companies, known for its attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality cleaning services. JR&Co serves a range of commercial clients, transforming spaces to support productivity, health, and wellbeing.

At Julius Rutherfoord & Co, we are proud to announce that all of our Operations Managers and Divisional Directors are now IOSH Managing Safely certified. This significant achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our team and clients. By completing this globally recognised qualification from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), our leadership team is equipped with the expertise to maintain the highest standards of safety across all our sites, ensuring we continue to deliver meticulous, expert, and safe cleaning services.

What is IOSH Managing Safely?

The IOSH Managing Safely course is designed to provide managers with the practical knowledge they need to effectively manage health and safety within their teams. This training covers critical areas such as risk assessment, hazard identification, incident investigation, and proactive prevention. By completing this course, our leadership team has strengthened their expertise in maintaining a safe working environment and protecting both our staff and clients from potential risks.

Why This Certification Matters

We take a meticulous approach to every aspect of our work, and health and safety is no exception. Achieving IOSH certification ensures that our Operations Managers and Divisional Directors are not only skilled in maintaining compliance but are also passionate about driving continuous improvement in safety standards.

With this certification, our team is better equipped to:

• Identify hazards before they become a risk
• Conduct thorough risk assessments that ensure the safety of our workplaces
• Investigate incidents effectively to prevent reoccurrence
• Take a proactive approach to health and safety, focusing on prevention as much as resolution

This expert knowledge allows us to anticipate and mitigate risks, ensuring smooth, safe operations across all of our cleaning sites.

A Milestone Achievement for JR&Co

This certification marks a significant milestone for our team, with all of our Operations Managers and Divisional Directors now IOSH certified. It demonstrates our dedication to fostering safe, compliant workplaces and highlights our passion for setting the highest standards in the cleaning industry.

Our personal touch is what sets us apart, and this achievement further empowers us to deliver services that are not only meticulous but also safe and reliable. Our clients can have peace of mind knowing that their spaces are being maintained by a team that is fully certified and committed to best practices in health and safety.

Setting a New Standard for the Industry

At JR&Co, our passion for excellence drives us to raise the bar for health and safety within the cleaning industry. Our IOSH-certified team demonstrates our commitment to not only meeting industry standards but exceeding them. This certification reinforces our position as leaders in health and safety, ensuring that our meticulous attention to detail translates into safer environments for everyone.

By investing in our team’s professional development, we ensure that our clients benefit from the highest level of expertise. Our personal approach means we tailor our safety practices to each site, recognising that every space has unique challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Celebrating Our Team’s Success

We extend a huge congratulations to everyone who completed their IOSH certification. While some of our team were already certified, this final group of Operations Managers and Divisional Directors has now joined them, ensuring that our entire operations leadership team is IOSH Managing Safely certified. Their hard work and commitment to excellence have helped JR&Co achieve this milestone, strengthening our ability to deliver safe, compliant services across all our sites.

Looking Ahead

At JR&Co, we remain passionate about maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across every client site. Our expert team, now fully IOSH certified, is committed to upholding meticulous safety protocols and offering a personal, bespoke approach to each of our clients. We look forward to continuing our mission of delivering exceptional cleaning services that put safety and well-being at the forefront.

If you would like to learn more about how our commitment to health and safety can benefit your business, please get in touch with us today.

At JR&Co, we’re always enhancing our services to meet the highest standards.

Our Training Academy just received a significant upgrade, with new flooring surfaces that reflect the latest trends in our clients’ environments. This update ensures that our teams train in real-world conditions, staying sharp and prepared to deliver the meticulous and expert service we’re known for.

Just as we completed this upgrade, we passed our BICSc Annual Audit and successfully renewed our BICSc Assessor Licence until 2025! The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) is the industry’s leading body for professional standards and education, and their annual audit ensures we maintain our commitment to best practices and safety.

Annie Bove, HR Officer, and Jessica Carranza, Mobilisation and Project Manager, who played a key role in leading us through the audit process, are now ready to continue training our teams to the highest standards. With the renewal of our BICSc Assessor Licence, we can confidently maintain our focus on developing cleaning professionals who are equipped to create cleaner, safer environments in line with industry-leading practices.

At JR&Co, our values – meticulous attention to detail, deep expertise, a personal touch, and a passion for creating clean and safe spaces – guide everything we do. The refreshed academy and our continued BICSc certification reaffirm our ongoing dedication to providing the best service possible.

We’re proud of the strides we’ve made and are excited to keep pushing forward for our clients!

We are thrilled to announce that JR&Co, in partnership with Sylvia Young Theatre School (SYTS), has been named a finalist for the PFM Partnership Awards 2024 in the “Partners in SME” category. This prestigious recognition highlights our dedication to delivering outstanding cleaning services and fostering a safe, sustainable, and innovative learning environment.

A Partnership Built on Excellence

Our collaboration with SYTS began in 2022, driven by a shared vision of creating an meticulously clean educational setting. Leveraging our extensive experience with esteemed institutions like the Royal Academy of Dance, we tailored our services to meet the unique needs of SYTS. Our commitment to excellence and mutual goals has solidified a partnership built on trust and results.

Commitment to Safety and Security

Safety is the cornerstone of our operations. We employ rigorous security measures to ensure that only highly vetted and qualified personnel work at SYTS. Our comprehensive recruitment and vetting process includes airport-style security vetting, biometric checks, and real-time attendance tracking using facial recognition tablets. These measures have resulted in a flawless safety record, with zero security breaches.

Sustainability and Innovation

Sustainability is at the heart of our operations. Our commitment to eco-friendly practices includes using biodegradable cleaning agents, eliminating single-use plastics, and minimising water usage. These efforts have significantly cut carbon emissions and enhanced SYTS’s corporate social responsibility profile. Innovations like OdorBac cleaning fluid and pulse mopping systems have boosted productivity and maintained high cleanliness standards, directly contributing to elevating student wellbeing.

Flexibility and Responsiveness

Our ability to adapt to SYTS’s dynamic needs sets us apart. Whether managing fluctuating student numbers, special events, or emergencies, we deliver tailored solutions with precision and speed. Our Corrective Action Procedure guarantees immediate resolution of issues, enhancing overall service delivery.

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

This recognition as a finalist for the PFM Partnership Awards 2024 is a reflection of our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. We are proud of our journey with Sylvia Young Theatre School and look forward to continuing our collaboration to create an environment where creativity and talent can truly thrive.

Thank you to Sylvia Young Theatre School for their trust and partnership. Together, we are setting new standards in facilities management within the educational sector.

Stay tuned for more updates and wish us luck at the awards!