The state of the world’s ecosystems is an increasing concern. Unstable production and consumption patterns are fueling a rise in plastic pollution and waste, harming our planet. Around 20 million metric tons of plastic end up in the environment yearly. When plastic and textile pollution enters our environment it can damage wildlife, soil and groundwater and negatively impact human health. While we all play a role, the responsibility is up to business leaders, like us, to make smart choices that help protect our environment for generations to come.

Current State of the Environment

The world generates over 400 million tons of plastic waste yearly, with around 85% of it ending up in landfills. Once plastic enters our ecosystems, it cannot decompose efficiently. Instead, it breaks down into tiny particles known as microplastics. Microplastics have been found in marine organisms and even in our drinking water.

Annually, it is estimated that the average American ingests about 70,000 microplastics through their water supply. To address this pressing issue, we must adopt sustainable practices to help reduce the negative environmental impact of plastic, especially single-use plastic.

Sustainable Innovation

Addressing the reduction of single-use plastics and garment waste is becoming increasingly important in today’s environmental discourse. Already, 50% of our landfills are filled up with single-use plastics and 85% of all textiles end up in landfills yearly. Adopting practices that prioritize recycling and sustainability is essential for helping reduce pollution.

As business leaders, prioritizing sustainability within your facility may require some research and planning to ensure you’re making the right decisions for facility occupants and your bottom line. Conducting a sustainability audit can provide clarity on how your current sustainability initiatives are performing and pinpoint areas for improvement. External organizations, like Green2Sustainable, offer data-driven insights to help minimize your environmental footprint.

Additionally, switching cleaning products certified by a reputable third-party organization, such as Green Seal®, helps ensure your products are safe for both humans and the environment. These steps can help reinforce your commitment to sustainability.

As leaders in the cleaning industry, we are constantly innovating new products and manufacturing processes that are sustainable. At our facility in Choloma, Honduras, we repurpose over 12 million pounds of recycled clothing scrap that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators to create our Green Seal® certified Natura Yarn line of wet and dry mop heads. In fact, it’s the first mop product to earn the Green Seal GS-20 Certification.

Recently, our Natura Yarn Blended Loop-End Mop received the 2024 Sanitary Maintenance Distributor Choice Award in the cleaning tools category. Our Large Natura Broom Head and Lobby Dustpan also received the UL Solutions Environmental Claim Validation for their innovative, sustainable designs. These awards highlight our ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Transparency and Accountability

Transparency is a cornerstone of sustainability efforts. We believe in keeping our customers informed about the environmental impact of our products and operations. Through clear labeling and accessible information, we enable consumers to make informed choices that align with their values.

Our website features a sustainability dashboard, powered by Green2Sustainable, which tracks our progress in meeting sustainability goals. This tool helps us hold ourselves accountable while being transparent about our efforts in contributing to environmental well-being.

Community Engagement

Supporting clean and healthy communities requires more than just producing environmentally conscious products. It demands active engagement with the people and places we serve. Supporting the community not only helps foster growth but also creates a positive perception, leading to increased customer trust. In fact, 44% of entrepreneurs report that engaging with their communities has contributed to their business growth. By contributing to philanthropic activities that support access to clean water, education and childhood cancer research in Honduras and Nicaragua we demonstrate our commitment to fostering partnerships with local organizations and initiatives dedicated to environmental conservation.

We all have a role to play in the fight for our environment. By embracing sustainable innovation, engaging with our communities and being transparent, we can help create a better world for future generations. Let’s commit to making a difference together, one sustainable choice at a time.

To learn more about ABCO’s sustainability initiatives and successes, visit abcoproducts.com/sustainability.