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Cleaning is often viewed as a practical, necessary task with minimal impact on sustainability. However, this service plays a crucial role not only in the appearance of a building, but also in the well-being of the people who work there every day, as well as its broader impact on the environment. Their work is sometimes unnoticed, but cleaners are essential for a healthy, safe and sustainable work environment. In this blog, we put them in the spotlight and highlight their significant contribution to the social, governance, and environmental aspects of sustainability (ESG).

The world has a plastic problem. It pollutes our rivers, oceans, and is now even found inside our bodies. At current rates, plastic in the ocean could outweigh fish by 2050. For Robert de Jong, CEO of Solinatra, that future is avoidable. In 2018, he decided to take a different path: not bioplastic, but truly natural material. Compostable, safe, and free from harmful residues. Solinatra developed a unique material that replaces plastic and completely disappears. Not based on bold claims, but backed by scientific proof.

Did you know the fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined? For Maxim Nelemans, CEO of Fashion Power, this was a reason for fundamental change. Fashion Power chose to take a different path as a family business with over 127 years of experience in textiles. In 2012, the company made a conscious decision: sustainability was no longer an option, but a necessity.

The chemical industry is one of the largest contributors to global emissions and often relies on petroleum and palm oil. But what if there was a way to make it sustainable using food waste instead? ChainCraft is proving it’s possible. The company developed technology that converts food waste into high-quality fatty acids. These circular raw materials can directly replace fossil-based alternatives. They offer greater sustainability without higher costs and are ready to make a large-scale impact. According to CEO Marc den Hartog, this is exactly what the chemical industry needs: an affordable, widely applicable, and scalable circular alternative.

Professional Cleaning Services (PCS) help to keep our environment clean, healthy, and safe every day. At the same time, the sector also affects people and the planet. For example, through transport emissions, material use, waste streams, and the work of thousands of employees from diverse backgrounds. That’s why sustainability is becoming more important. Customers ask for it, employees expect it, and new rules make it a must.

For businesses working on sustainability reporting according to the VSME Standard, measuring CO₂ emissions is a critical first step. Pressure to measure and report your emissions is mounting throughout the supply chain. Large corporations, banks and investors increasingly demand clear and transparent ESG data from partners/suppliers. Even if your business doesn’t have to comply with CSRD or TCFD requirements, it remains important to demonstrate your sustainability efforts. In this blog, we explain how our CO₂ Calculator helps you measure emissions and meet VSME reporting requirements.

How can business owners contribute to a more sustainable economy? For Berthold Bakker, co-founder of Used Products, the answer is simple: give products a second life and reduce waste. What started as a commercial venture has grown into a business at the heart of the circular economy, making an ever-growing impact.

What does it mean for a law firm to truly make a difference? The answer for Joni Uhlenbeck, CEO of De Roos, is clear: using the law as a force for a better, fairer world. De Roos supports entrepreneurs building a sustainable economy, from climate tech to social innovation. They do this with legal expertise and as a strategic partner who actively thinks about impact, growth, and responsible business.

Sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important, and not just for large companies. SMEs are increasingly expected to show how sustainable their business is. Even if your company isn’t covered by the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the pressure from customers, investors, and supply chain partners is growing. Under the latest Omnibus proposals, thousands of medium-sized businesses (250–1,000 employees) may be excluded from CSRD requirements. But that doesn’t stop stakeholders from demanding precise sustainability data. The solution? VSME: the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs.

In our “Lead the Change” series, we highlight entrepreneurs driving sustainability and innovation. Webeasy is one of these pioneers, helping businesses optimise their energy use and cut costs through intelligent building automation. In doing so, they contribute to a greener future, where technology and sustainability work together.

Sustainability reporting may seem like something only large companies need to worry about, but that’s far from the truth. Demand for transparency is growing across the SME sector. In this article, we explain why VSME reporting can be a strategic advantage for small and mid-sized businesses and how to apply it simply and effectively in your business.

Sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important in the business world. Many companies have spent time and effort preparing for the requirements of the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). However, new proposals are now on the table that could significantly limit the scope of this legislation for mid-sized businesses. This raises important questions: what exactly is changing? And how can businesses adapt while maintaining transparency in the growing ESG landscape?