Fresh Cleaners — Recycling and Sustainability Commitment

At Fresh Cleaners, our mission is simple: deliver excellent cleaning services while protecting the environment. This Recycling and Sustainability statement explains how our recycling & sustainability program works, the measurable targets we set, and how we partner with local organisations to reduce waste. We recognise that every garment, hanger and solvent container has a lifecycle, and our sustainable recycling approach aims to keep materials in productive use as long as possible.

Our immediate recycling percentage target is to divert 70% of all usable materials from landfill by 2030, measured across our operations and customer collections. That target covers textiles suitable for reuse, packaging, hangers, and recyclable containers. We report progress annually and use audits to improve performance. The Fresh Cleaners recycling goal is ambitious but achievable because we combine operational changes, community partnerships and investments in transport and processing.

We align with local boroughs' approach to waste separation to make it easier for customers and staff to recycle correctly. Typical sorting instructions we follow include:

• Separate textiles and clothing from general refuse so items suitable for reuse are identified.
• Sort paper, cardboard and office-style packaging into mixed-recycling streams.
• Collect plastic film and soft plastics separately for specialist recycling where borough collections permit.
• Keep glass and metal components (buttons, buckles) apart to avoid contamination.
• If available, follow local food waste and composting guidance for biodegradable materials from our cafés and staff areas.

We operate through a network of trusted local transfer stations and Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs). Our logistics team consolidates loads at these transfer stations to maximise the quantity of material sent for recycling and minimise vehicle miles. These sites act as a critical link between our collection points and specialised recyclers: from textile sorting hubs that prepare garments for reuse, to MRFs that handle mixed packaging streams.

Partnerships with charities and social enterprises are central to our reuse strategy. We partner with local clothing charities, community projects and social businesses that accept wearable garments and household linens. Items in good condition are diverted to charity shops or community programmes; items requiring repair are directed to social-repair initiatives; and materials beyond reuse reach are passed to accredited recyclers for fiber recovery. Our Fresh Cleaners donation partnerships help create social value in the areas we serve while reducing waste.

Low-Carbon Fleet and Greener Collections

To reduce emissions from collections and deliveries, we are rolling out low-carbon vans across our service areas. Our fleet strategy includes a mix of electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids and the latest low-emission diesel where charging infrastructure is not yet available. Vehicle routing is optimised using routing software to reduce empty runs and consolidate pickups. These improvements lower our carbon footprint and improve the reliability of our recycling collections. We also maintain strict standards for vehicle loading to minimise damage and contamination to items intended for reuse.

How we handle textile recycling and material streams

We conduct routine waste audits to understand the composition of what we collect. This informs where to send materials: reusable garments to charity partners, hangers back to suppliers or dedicated recycling, and mixed fabric items to mechanical or chemical recycling routes where available. Our sustainable recycling initiatives include training staff in correct sorting, labelling bags by material type and working with borough authorities to integrate our collections into local kerbside and community recycling systems.

Community engagement is part of the Fresh Cleaners approach to sustainability. We run local awareness campaigns and in-branch signage that reflect the boroughs' waste separation rules so customers know how to prepare items for collection. For example, where boroughs require separate collection of textiles or soft plastics, we provide clear guidance on bagging and labelling. We also coordinate periodic textile drives with local community centres to boost reuse and fundraising for charities.

Measurement and continuous improvement drive our recycling and sustainability work. We track key performance indicators—recycling rate, tonnes diverted from landfill, charity donations, and fleet emissions—and publish an annual summary of progress. Our internal targets include reducing single-use packaging in operations, increasing the percentage of returned hangers and supporting innovation in textile-to-textile recycling technologies. The Fresh Cleaners sustainability plan is a living document, updated as new recycling infrastructure and low-carbon technologies become available.

In practice, our recycling programme balances pragmatism with ambition. We know that effective recycling depends on clear logistics, reliable partners and consistent customer behaviour. That is why we emphasise clear instructions at the point of service and invest in transfer station partnerships that increase recycling yield. Our collaboration with borough waste services ensures we meet local requirements while striving to exceed them through higher-than-required separation and diversion rates.

Looking ahead, the Fresh Cleaners sustainable recycling roadmap includes trials of fabric repair workshops, expanded EV charging at depots, and pilot projects with chemical recycling partners to tackle blended fibers. We will continue to grow our network of charity partnerships so more garments are reused rather than recycled or disposed. Our aim is to be a leader in commercial recycling and sustainable laundry services in every area we serve.

We invite staff, customers and local organisations to join us in achieving these targets—better sorting, smarter transport and stronger partnerships will help Fresh Cleaners reach a cleaner, more sustainable future.