Sustainability

At Aberdeen Laundry Services, sustainability isn’t a project – it’s how we do business.

Since 2019, we’ve asked ourselves not just “Is this good for business?” but “Is this the right thing to do?”

That values-led approach has shaped every decision, every investment, and every milestone.

The result?

The UK’s FIRST certified Carbon Neutral commercial laundry – achieved 15 years ahead of schedule.

Our 2025 Sustainability Report documents our journey: the wins, the challenges, and our unwavering commitment to people, planet, and prosperity.

DOWNLOAD OUR 2025 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Complete Transparency. Measurable Progress. Ambitious Targets. Our 2025 Sustainability Report documents our journey with the same rigor we apply to our operations. Download the full report to explore: Detailed environmental performance data | Social impact assessment against UN SDGs | Governance structure and accountability measures | Science-Based Targets and Net Zero roadmap | Challenges, learnings, and future commitments.

DOWNLOAD REPORT NOW

What we strive to do

Our Vision

To lead the UK textile services industry by demonstrating that operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility are not competing priorities – they are the foundation of sustainable business growth.

Our Mission

To deliver unmatched textile services to our diverse clientele by innovating with integrity, sustainability, and care for our people, environment, and communities – raising industry standards and inspiring meaningful change in responsible business practices.

To understand more, see our 2025 sustainability report and see our updated NetZero 2040 plan.

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Environment

In 2025, we made history by becoming the first independently verified commercial laundry in the UK to achieve carbon neutrality, after being awarded certification under ISO 14064-1 and ISO 14068-1 standard. We achieved this 15 years ahead of our 2040 target.

But we’re not stopping there.

2025

Environmental Achievements

Carbon Reduction

5.61% total emissions reduction while expanding operations. 131 tonnes CO₂e saved - equivalent to 28 cars off the road for a year. Natural gas ↓7% | Grid electricity ↓10% | Diesel ↓16%. 1,800 tonnes CO₂e offset through verified international projects

Energy Innovation

13.06% of production electricity now generated on-site via solar PV. 100% renewable electricity across all operations (REGO-certified). 38% of East Kilbride solar energy exported back to the grid.

Water Conservation

25.3% water intensity reduction since 2022 baseline. 3,750 m³ less water per 1,000 tonnes processed (vs. 2022), equivalent to 1.5 Olympic swimming pools saved annually.

Circular Economy

87.62% waste to landfill reduction - achieved 4 years ahead of 2029 target. Infinite Textiles certified - one of first UK commercial laundries. Zero landfill commitment - textiles kept in productive use.

how we achieved these results:

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Our environmental progress isn't accidental - it's a result of strategic investments and operational excellence: Smart Fleet Technology | Energy-Efficient Infrastructure | On-Site Renewable Generation | Ozone Technology | Circular Economy Leadership |

INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION & TRANSPARENCY

Our environmental claims are rigorously verified by independent third parties: NQA Certification Limited | Carbon Neutral Britain | ISO 14068-1 | GHG Protocol & ISO 14064-1. Our reporting follows the same standards used by the UK Government and all public agencies, ensuring accuracy and transparency.

BIODIVERSITY & NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION

Our Carbon Offset Investment: Minimum 10% of Offset Budget dedicated to UK Biodiversity Projects | Supporting Native Woodland Creation & Hay Meadow Restoration | Contributing to Coastal Sea Kelp Recovery Efforts | All Projects Triple Verified through Satellite Monitoring, AI Validation, and Independent Audits.

OUR SCIENCE-BASED TARGETS

We're committed to ambitious, validated targets under the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi): Near Term Targets (2026-2030) 23.1 Reduction in Absolute Scope 1 Emissions (from 2020 baseline) | 100% REGO-Certification Electricity from 2025 onward | Carbon Neutrality Maintained through verified carbon removal | 50% Local Supplier Participation by 2030 | Solar Integration across all facilities.

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People

Diversity, Inclusion & Fair Work

Behind every certification and every percentage improvement is our team. We’re proud to foster a workplace where over 120 professionals from 14 nationalities bring their best selves to work every day.

2025

Workforce Highlights

Representation

14 nationalities represented (up from 10 in 2024). 127 employees across Scotland. 40% identify as part of a minority ethnic group. 42% female | 58% male workforce.

Fair Work Practices

Proud Real Living Wage Scotland employer (not just minimum wage). Zero-hour contracts eliminated - guaranteed 30-hour minimum contracts for all core staff. Free mental health support via Unum Help@Hand (remote GP, 24/7 helpline, financial guidance). £40,000 invested in capability building and training.

Employee Wellbeing

Adapted onboarding processes integrating new staff into our culture of shared responsibility | Fair Work Policy reinforcing responsible practices across all operations | Mental health support through Unum Help@Hand | Career development pathways for all employees | Challenge Poverty Week participation with Aberdeenshire Council.

our commitment to inclusion

Representation is just the beginning. We’ve identified Four Pillars for Inclusive Growth to ensure our commitment translates into genuine belonging:

ENHANCE INCLUSION PROGRAMS

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Cultural awareness training, mentorship programs, and employee-led support group.

SUPPORT GENDER EQUALITY

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Policies supporting work-life balance, fair progression, and equal representation at all levels.

FOCUS ON FRONTLINE DEVELOPMENT

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Ensuring Laundry and Production Operatives have access to training and leadership pathways.

REPRESENTATION IN LEADERSHIP

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Senior management reflecting the rich diversity of our overall workforce.

Transparency & Accountability

gender representation

Our 2025 workforce shows 42% female representation (down from 50.6% in 2024). We’re transparent about this shift: recruitment within our engineering department received significantly higher male applications, highlighting the broader STEM industry challenge.

our response

Enhanced job promotion showcasing opportunities across ALL departments
Recruitment practice review to ensure inclusive processes
Spotlighting women thriving in technical and leadership roles at ALS

Maintaining gender balance – especially in traditionally male-dominated sectors – requires proactive, sustained effort.

We’re committed to that work.

our commitment to community and society

2025 Community Impact

£602,250 total Social Value delivered.

Local Economic Investment:

90% of suppliers are local Scottish businesses (277 of 306)
£2.9M invested in local partners (65% of £4.5M total procurement spend)
Buy Social Scotland Pledge signatory

Armed Forces Commitment

We’re honoured to have received the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We’re committed to providing employment opportunities to members of the Armed Forces community.

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

We’ve aligned our social impact strategy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, conducting a comprehensive assessment of our operations against all 17 SDGs in 2025.

Key Findings:

Direct positive impact across 11 SDGs
Indirect positive impact across 3 additional SDGs
Zero negative impacts identified across any SDG
Particular strength in: Good Health & Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption, Climate Action, and Life Below Water

The SDGs provide our guiding compass for social impact, helping us set priorities, measure progress, and ensure our commitments are meaningful and aligned with broader societal objectives.

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Governance

Values-Led. Independently Verified. Accountable.

Good governance is the foundation everything else is built on. At Aberdeen Laundry Services, our governance framework isn’t about box-ticking – it’s about ensuring our values translate into real accountability, rigorous measurement, and continuous improvement across every part of the business.

Our Four Core Values

Everything we do is guided by four principles that shape how we lead, make decisions, and hold ourselves accountable.

INTEGRITY

We conduct ourselves with honest, transparency, and accountability, building trust through ethical practices.

INNOVATION

We continuously improve our processes, technologies, and solutions to better serve our customers and communities.

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Our customers are at the heart of every decision we make, and we deliver tailored solutions to exceed their expectations.

SUSTAINABILITY

We are dedicated to minimising our environmental footprint and protecting our planet for future generations.

2025

Governance Highlights

Accountability and Oversight

Dedicated Group Technical & Governance Manager overseeing ESG compliance and progress. Flat organisational structure ensuring equal voice across all business functions. Annual third-party verification of environmental performance by NQA Certification Limited. 70% employee survey response rate informing our 2025 materiality assessment.

Our Governance Structure

Our Leadership Team is comprised of individuals from across the business, ensuring diverse representation in strategic decision-making. Rather than a traditional hierarchy, we operate a flat structure where every function is equally vital to our success.

Policies Introduced in 2025

In 2025, we significantly strengthened our governance framework by introducing multiple environmental and social policies, alongside updating our Net Zero 2040 plan and introducing a carbon management plan.

Materiality Assessment

In 2025, we conducted a comprehensive materiality assessment in alignment with KPMG’s Global Materiality Assessment Framework and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) principles. The assessment was validated by senior management and integrated into our enterprise risk management, strategic planning, and performance management processes. A formal reassessment is planned for 2026.