As a green business, the use of a diesel powered van to go about our business is a tricky subject. With the best will in the world, we have to be realistic and acknowledge that we need to use the vans for some of the work that we do. We actively encourage our workforce to use pedal power / walk / use public transport to get to their assigned jobs. We have bike pool to help with this too. Our policy is always to assign work to the Green Mopper who is nearest to the site etc etc.

HOWEVER. Bulk packs of loo roll (recycled of course) are not easily squeezed into a back pack. The 5 litre drums of eco friendly cleaning products we use are quite heavy. The bright green Henry vacuum cleaners that need to be delivered just won’t fit in a bike basket.

So the use of a vehicle in order to do our job is essential. We have 2 vans. Both are utilised to move supplies around the city. We do this efficiently and thoughtfully to save on diesel, for the cost as much as for the carbon footprint. This is what keeps our workers working, giving them jobs. Which I think is really important. We also deliver hygiene supplies to our customers. Again, an essential service to keep the city working.

So it is hugely disappointing to see the rise in parking for trades people and businesses. Traders and businesses are trying to do their jobs. A painter and decorater can’t go to work on a bike or public transport with all their tools can they? So they have no choice but to pay huge parking permit costs.

As an advocate of all things ‘green’, I find it disappointing that the green doubters are shaking their heads and saying ‘told you so’. They all thought that this was the sort of thoughtless policy that a Green administration would advocate. I have no answer for those people. What are they trying to achieve? It won’t reduce vehicle use, as it’s a necessity not a choice.

Maybe the council could target unnecessary vehicle use instead of usage which is essential to keeping the city working and thriving. Maybe the illegal parking that takes place at school drop off and pick time? Maybe large cars pay double for parking? Maybe a levy on more than one car per household?

As it is Apprenticeship Week, I thought I’d tell you how the Apprenticeship scheme benefits our Green Moppers.

City College Brighton look after our Aiden. He was already employed by Green Mop, and is a bright lad. Enthusiastic and hard working, but with no formal qualifications.

So he was keen to sign up for the Apprenticeship Scheme. He get’s training while he works. So he’s earning and learning. The Assessor visits him at one of the sites Aiden works at, and works with him there.

Green Mop benefits from having a motivated worker, getting excellent training and advice. And our Green Mopper Aiden benefits from gaining useful training that will stand him in good stead for the future, along with a qualification at the end of it. We have also given him a pay rise and a promotion to Lead Cleaner as he can share his knowledge and train new Green Moppers.

It’s a win for our business, and it’s a win for our member of staff. I’d encourage all business owners to have a chat with City College to see how Apprenticeships can benefit your business and your workforce. Check their website here.

We know some cleaning companies add a premium for choosing green. But we try hard to remain competitive without compromising on our green principles.

Good old fashioned white vinegar and soda crystals are great value. And our janitorial supplier has an eco range which is brilliant and about the same price as their toxic stuff.

We buy most of it in 5 litre tubs, refilling bottles, and diluting to make it go further.

It’s not just an environmentally friendly way to work, it’s also cost effective.

And we make our own anticacterial spray with vinegar, water and tea tree oil. Natural, effective and cheap!

So, you have to know what you’re doing, but green cleaning doesn’t have to be expensive.

Give us a call to find out more.

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The very lovely people from Nick Rivett Sports shop of Church Road in Hove have kindly sent us a testimonial for our website. We keep their shop window and signage clean for them on a weekly basis. Here’s what they say about us:

“In my experience Green Mop are the best value, eco friendly cleaning company in Brighton. Green Mop have been cleaning our shop front and windows to the highest standard for over a year now. Superb value for money and Johnny is very reliable. Any retailer will appreciate your shop front is critical to attracting customers into your store - thanks to Green Mop, we are always sparkling clean and well presented. Thank you Green Mop!”

We had a wonderful time at The Grand Hotel in Brighton where The 2011 Sussex Business Awards and Brighton & Hove Business Awards were presented during an evening of entertainment, food and a fair amount of wine. It was a black tie do, so all local business bods were there in their pomp. What a sight to behold!

And Green Mop were very lucky to have been shortlisted for a BAHBA this year. For the Responsible Business Award. Also on the shortlist were Brighton and Hove’s legendary Infinity Foods, a co-operative that has been doing business responsibly in our city and beyond for 40 years. Thanks to the BAHBAs organisers (Midnight Communications), I got to spend a freezing afternoon on the pier with Dexter from Infinity Foods bouncing up and down on a trampolene whilst the lovely chaps from Fatsand Productions filmed us. The other shortlister didn’t come to the filming, but Dexter and I and the Fatsand team had great (and exhausting) fun.

I thought it would be Dexter and Infinity Foods that would win the award, in the year that they celebrate their 40th birthday, a magnificent achievement. But, I was wrong, the other shortlister, and the winner, was Jury’s Inn. So huge congratulations to them.

An interview Racheal did with the brilliant Julie Stanford from Essential Business - www.essential-business.co.uk

We are delighted to be shortlisted for The Responsible Business Award at this year’s Brighton and Hove Business Awards.

The BAHBAs are being combined with the Sussex Business Awards. So there will be one big celebration of local businesses at The Grand at the beginning of December.

Wish us luck!

Look out for exciting Green Mop news. Soon.

Not quite yet.

We can’t wait to tell you. But we can’t yet. No, really, I can’t spill the beans yet. Sorry.

*cough* Franchise *oops*

Being an ethical employer with a fair wage policy, this doesn’t affect us. Cleaning is hard and valuable work, and we pay what the market will bear.

I think all our Green Moppers deserve much more than we can afford to pay them, but we do what we can. Many cleaning companies pay minimum wage and have staff on temporary contracts, avoiding holiday pay and so on.

So they may have lower costs than us, but our staff stay with us longer and perform better as a result of being paid a fair wage. They have holiday pay as well as rewards for good and consistent work.

We think this means our customers getter better value, as well as knowing that they’re using an ethical company which reflects well on their business.
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All good things come to an end. And our lovely Green Mopper Chris is finally moving on to pastures new. I wanted to share his resignation letter as it made us feel very proud. We’re going to miss you Chris! *sobs uncontrollably*

“Rachel & Ceri,
I’ve been avoiding this for some while as it’s not something I necessarily want, though life must go on!
As discussed previously I was considering staying down here for further study at Sussex, but after a lot of thought I would be better off going up to Manchester as their university far better suits my interests. Therefore, with much regret, I’ll be leaving Green Mop..
Completing my BA certainly wouldn’t have been possible without the money earned while working for you, so for this reason I’m forever grateful for both your time and consistent confidence in my abilities.
You’ve all been hugely accomodating and understanding throughout and, in comparison to other jobs I’ve held, Green Mop can easily be called the best.
Also, I can’t stress enough how brilliant John is with staff on the ground. He completely appreciates the difficulties encountered by cleaners and has always done a fantastic job as a supervisor and fellow cleaner.
I wish both of you all the best - if I ever win the lottery I promise I’ll invest heavily in your company!
Thanks again for more than ‘just a job’,
Chris “

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