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We Did It!

Following our Green Mark certification to Level 1 in January of this year and our subsequent recent recognition as a B Corp certified company, Futures Supplies are delighted to announce they have now been awarded the prestigious Green Mark Level 2 accreditation.

Green Mark provides an internationally recognised environmental certification for companies to indorse their overall environmental performance. The certification process assesses, audits and certifies a business’ impact on the environment and wider community.

Futures Supplies have been able to demonstrate through this certification process, to our clients, employees and the wider community, that we are conducting business to the highest possible standard.

Purva Shah, Green Mark’s Customer Support Executive commented ‘I would like to say a big congratulations on achieving Green Mark Level 2! You had a fantastic submission and scored almost 100% across the board which is an amazing achievement’.

Congratulations to Andrew Hills our Office and ESG Manager for his commitment and hard work on this project and to all the team at Futures Supplies who continue to work tirelessly on improving our social and environmental credentials to help provide a better and more sustainable future for us all.

You can find out more about the Green Mark Certification here greenmark.co.uk/our-approach/

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Tackling Hygiene Poverty

We were delighted to be proud headline sponsors of Cleanology ‘s event at Hard Rock Café in London to help raise awareness and funds for The Hygiene Bank.

With over 4.2 million people in the UK living with hygiene poverty, we are proud to have played our part in helping to tackle this hidden but profound issue.

Brining businesses together for the 4th year, the event organised by Cleanology, raised a combined total of a staggering £115,000 for the charity The Hygiene Bank.

Amazing work and congratulations to everyone who arranged, took part and contributed to the success of the event.

You cab find ways to get involved here:-

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Proud to be a B Corp™ Certified Company

We are so proud our business has achieved B Corp certification.

For over 29 years, Futures Supplies has been at the forefront of sustainable business practices, offering eco-friendly solutions to a wide range of customers. This certification underscores the company’s holistic approach to sustainability, not only through the products we supply but in every aspect of our operations.

B Corp is more than a stamp of approval. It is an objective framework for us to continue to build our business so that it works for both people and planet.

As a certified B Corp, Futures Supplies joins an elite group of companies—over 6,000 globally—dedicated to using business as a force for good. The company is now part of a global movement to drive a shift towards more sustainable and ethical business practices across industries.

It gives us the language and tools to share our story with the wider world. It raises the bar for us to reach and it helps us to share our journey towards becoming the world’s definitive zero carbon Washroom & Cleaning partner – one toilet roll at time!

B Lab’s social and environmental business standards define how businesses can be a force for good. Based on stakeholder input, research, and established best practices, these standards are the basis for B Corp Certification requirements and B Lab’s impact management tools, and they inform the network’s programs and collective action initiatives.

Overseen by B Lab’s independent Standards Advisory Council, the standards help companies improve, measure, and manage their impact on people and the planet.

By certifying, B Corps step into a framework for continuous improvement. In order to maintain certification, companies must undertake the assessment and verification process every three years, demonstrating they are still meeting B Lab’s standards, which are themselves always improving, with continual input from expert stakeholders.

“We see this as a new chapter for Futures Supplies—one that aligns with our vision for the future of business and sustainability,” said Marc Kemp, Managing Director. “This certification gives us a framework to grow responsibly while holding ourselves to the highest possible standards.”

Find out more about our overall B Impact Score here

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Katrin Celebrate 50 Successful Years

On Friday 6th Sept our Managing Director attended Katrin Professional Hygiene Solutions’ 50th Birthday celebration at Ascot along with Metsä Tissue’s management team.

Despite the weather, it was a great day to celebrate the fabulous achievements from the last 50 years of Katrin innovations and success.

What’s more, we help raise almost £1,000 for The Hygiene Bank.

Thank you for a great day!

L-R: Mark Dewick, Mika Paljakka, Jo Long MBICSc, Marc Kemp

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What an Achievement!

We have loved celebrating Dave and Ian’s amazing 10 year anniversary at Futures Supplies.

Wow what an achievement hey!

Some say how have we managed to put up with them for so long but we’d definitely say we are lucky to have them.

We are super grateful for all their hard work, loyalty and for being such a big part of our journey.

Here’s to the next 10 years guys, we love you.

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Cheeky Panda Answers Your Questions

Why is bamboo so good for the environment? 
Bamboo absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide, grows without the need for chemicals, and helps prevent soil erosion. Its rapid growth cycle means it can be harvested frequently, helping reducing deforestation without damaging the environment, making it a sustainability super-plant!  

Is bamboo good for people with allergies or sensitive skin?
Bamboo fibres are naturally hypoallergenic and have antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for people with sensitive skin or allergies.  

I read bamboo is a really invasive plant?
Like many other plants, bamboo shouldn’t be planted where it’s not native. That’s why the bamboo grown for the Cheeky Panda is sourced from an FSC Certified Bamboo forest in China where it grows naturally and support the local habitats and eco-systems where the flora and fauna flourish in the surroundings of the bamboo shoots. That way, we get the environmental benefits of bamboo, without taking away or affecting ecosystems in other regions, and there’s no need to clear-cut any land either.   

Is bamboo toilet paper better than recycled?
You probably know where we stand on this (bamboo all the way!). There’s a few reasons for this. Firstly, while recycled tissue might sound eco-friendly, the truth is it’s not always what it seems. Sometimes, less than half of it is actually post-consumer recycled. The rest? Freshly cut trees. Not exactly planet-friendly. An other issue with recycled TP is BPAS, which are forever chemicals that have been shown to mess with fertility, hike up blood pressure, and more. Finally, cleaning up recycled paper to turn it into toilet roll involves a chemical cocktail that might end up in our waterways – not so great for nature and our aquatic pals.  

How is bamboo toilet paper made?
Our journey begins in the lush bamboo forests where this incredible plant thrives. Did you know that Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth? This humble grass is capable of growing up to 91 cm (about 3 feet) in a single day. Unlike trees that take decades to mature, bamboo reaches maturity in just 3-5 years.
This speedy growth cycle means bamboo takes the gold in the renewable resource race, one of the reasons we choose it for our home essentials. Plus, the bamboo we choose comes from FSC certified bamboo forests, so we can be sure that all our bamboo is sustainably harvested, and farmers are treated ethically.

When it comes time for our bamboo to get a haircut, we take great care to protect the forest’s biodiversity. Each bamboo pole is harvested one at a time, rather than clear-cutting large areas, which happens in virgin tree forests. This selective harvesting method ensures that the bamboo forest remains healthy and continues to support the diverse range of flora and fauna that call it home. By avoiding clear-cutting, we help preserve the forest ecosystem, ensuring it can regenerate naturally and continue to thrive. No Bald patches for our forests.

Once harvested, the bamboo poles are taken to a processing facility where they are chipped into smaller pieces. This is the first step in transforming raw bamboo into ready-to-use pulp. The chipping process helps break down the bamboo into a form that can be more easily processed in the pulp mill, where the magic of turning bamboo into paper begins.

We use sea freight for all shipments from China to the UK because it has the lowest carbon footprint, thanks to large cargo capacity, slow steaming, cleaner fuels, and emission controls.
In contrast, recycled tissue, despite being converted in the UK, often travels around the world as there isn’t enough recycled pulp available locally. UK converters frequently source recycled materials internationally before final converting and packaging. For example, recycled pulp might come from the USA, be pulped in China, and then shipped to UK converters for final processing. Our supply chain is straightforward and efficient, saving airmiles and going directly from forest to you.

We also ensure that our products and processes comply with environmental regulations and standards. This includes monitoring our use of chemicals, managing waste responsibly, and ensuring that our packaging is recyclable. 
Our converting factory uses renewable solar energy, with at least 95% of processing water recycled and reused. Environmental education is prioritised, and we’re proud to boast that our factory multiple environmental awards. 
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Be The Voice For Change!

Futures Supplies are delighted, for the second consecutive year, to be a headline sponsor for the ‘The Hygiene Bank’ Charity event in partnership with our client, the award-winning commercial cleaning company Cleanology.

We are privileged to be part of this exciting event which has seen over £78K raised so far toward elevating hygiene poverty.

The Hygiene Bank believe that basic hygiene is not a privilege and their vision is that one day everyone living in the UK will have access to essential hygiene products. With a mission to bring communities, businesses and thought leaders together they hope to tackle hygiene poverty providing access to products and being a voice for change.

This year the event is being held on Wednesday 9 October at the Hard Rock Café in the heart of London. Up to 200 expected guests are expected and can look forward to an evening of entertainment including a live DJ, networking, cocktails, Hard Rock classic burgers, a lively auction and raffle with amazing prizes, all in the surroundings of a venue renowned for its authentic dining.

Tickets are priced from £75 +VAT each and are available on Eventbrite, with all profits donated to The Hygiene Bank: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hygiene-bank-charity-evening-2024-hosted-by-cleanology-tickets-927732973297

Find out more about and how you can help support The Hygiene Bank here The Hygiene Bank

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Congratulations Marc Kemp!

Futures Supplies are delighted to congratulate our Managing Director, Marc Kemp, on his admission, as a Freeman, into The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners.

Marc said “I am honoured to be part of such an exceptional group of professionals and industry leaders. I hope I can bring my 26 years of industry experience to collaborate with other members for the benefit of all as well as contribute to the WCEC worthy Charitable Trust. An example of one of its recent projects is providing a donation to the ‘Magic Breakfast’, which aims to provide 2,000 meals to help disadvantaged children.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking my friend, Louis Beaumont, MD of Hive Cleaning, for proposing me and the Membership Court committee at the WCEC for admitting me.

At Futures Supplies our ethos has always been one of integrity in delivering service, quality, value, reliability, with a commitment to environmental sustainability, and social consideration and we are keen to work with like-minded companies and individuals who match our business ethics”.

Admission was followed by the presentation of the Livery Certificate and then onto the Visiting Masters Luncheon held at the Grocers Hall, next to the iconic Bank of England in the heart of the city.

The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners aim to encourage and maintain high standards of practice and integrity in the cleaning and associated industries. Promoting and supporting education, training, research projects and charities it is one of 111 Livery Companies which are based upon trades, industries and professions and carry on the ancient traditions of the Guilds and Livery Companies which started in the 12th century.

The WCEC was formed in 1972 as the Guild of Cleaners and subsequently known as the Guild of Master Cleaners. It was granted full Livery Status in 1986 as the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, the 97th Livery Company of the City of London. HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh was an Honorary Freeman of the Company.

You can find out more about the Environmental Cleaners, its initiatives and events at their website.    

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Metsa Tissue Host an Exhilarating and Unforgettable Day!

Our Managing Director, Marc was delighted to be invited to Palmer Sports, Bedford Aerodrome, for an exciting day of spectacular driving hosted by Metsa Tissue.

Guests got to drive the Famous Palmer car collection in a flat-out, eight-activity programme with live timing, scoring and prizes for the day’s best drivers.

Palmer Sports, billed as the world’s greatest driving event, is a motorsport experience like no other. In one perfect day, guests get to drive an unrivalled collection of track prepared, road and racing cars, and are encouraged to push themselves harder than they ever imagined possible.

Marc Said “I cannot thank Mark and Jo of Metsa Tissue enough for their fabulous hospitality. It was a great opportunity to strengthen and build further relationships with our supply and distributor partners. An exhilarating and unforgettable experience with the added bonus of collecting a winning trophy on the day!”

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What is the London Living Wage Accreditation and Why Do Futures Supplies Believe It’s So Important?

The Living Wage is a voluntary, higher rate of base pay. It provides a benchmark for responsible employers who choose to pay their employees a rate that meets the cost of living throughout the UK and London. It is higher than the government’s National Minimum Wage rates because it is calculated according to the cost of living.

The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate based on the actual cost of living and it is voluntarily paid by businesses who believe their staff deserve a wage which meets their everyday needs.

Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation said, “Futures Supplies are one of thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more responsible employers who voluntarily go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer.

At Futures Supplies we believe not only is it more socially responsible to invest in our employees by paying them the real London Living Wage, we believe it also contributes to ensuring our staff are happy, motivated and deliver the best possible service to our valued customers.

If you want to join the Living Wage journey you can find out more here https://www.livingwage.org.uk/accredit#