A cleaning business is paving the way with a policy of helping the planet and the community.

Chequers Contract Cleaning’s environmental initiatives have included using less harmful detergents and changing staff travel patterns to lower emissions.

Chequers, based in Tait Road, has also helped local charities by doing everything from making donations to refurbishing a scout hut.

Chequers, which provides services to businesses, employs 400 people and has sales of just under £6 million. A family firm, sales & marketing director Kate Ward said the whole workforce had always been "passionate about the environment and leading by example".

Mrs Ward admitted cleaning, with its mix of road travel and chemicals, has a less than planet-friendly image. But she said Chequers tries hard to reduce its environmental impact.

"We avoid wasteful journeys by giving our cleaners rounds over small areas. We've just bought four hybrid cars. We're using less toxic detergents. And we're one of six companies in Croydon participating in a fuel-monitoring scheme for our vehicles."

Mrs Ward said she thought Croydon businesses could do more for the planet. "I don't think they don't care but maybe they need a little more encouragement. Simple things can make a big difference, like printing double-sided and switching to low energy bulbs."

Chequers is also proud of its charity work. Mrs Ward said businesses had a responsiblity to give back to Croydon's community. "Croydon's got a bad reputation for some reason but people should give their support."

She added that events such as fun days, where staff and families have a day out and make a donation to charity, could have positive side effects. "Things like that really motivate staff."

Mrs Ward said she has noticed more enquiries since Chequers won the award.

"More people know about us now and respect what we've done to win. Lots of companies feel they can do their bit for sustainability by using a company like us."

The company recently won the Best Sustainable Business Award at the South London Business Awards last month, seeing off competition from businesses in the 12 London boroughs south of the river.

Mrs Ward said staff at the company had been "absolutely gobsmacked" to win the award. "We were up against people like Nestlé and never expected to win."

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