Aberdeen Laundry Services has made history by becoming the first commercial laundry operation in the United Kingdom to achieve verified carbon neutrality certification, reaching this ambitious environmental milestone 15 years ahead of its original 2040 Net Zero commitment.
The company, a leading commercial laundry provider servicing the whole of Scotland and expanding across the UK, has been awarded certification under ISO 14064-1 and ISO 14068-1 standards, independently verified by NQA Certification Limited, marking a significant achievement for both the organisation and the commercial laundry sector as a whole.
From pandemic disruption to industry leadership
The journey to carbon neutrality accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when industry shutdowns prompted Aberdeen Laundry Services to fundamentally reassess its operations and values. Led by Director Surendra Khandelwal and Sustainability Project Lead Anusha Wijewardane, the company rebuilt its processes with sustainability and social responsibility at the core.
"Our first set of ISO certifications (9001 & 14001) established the foundations for responsible growth, but we knew we could and would do more," explains Surendra Khandelwal, Director of Aberdeen Laundry Services. "This isn't about setting a target to meet certification – this is about validation of the efforts we are already making. This impacts positively on existing and future partnerships by enabling us to say, with certainty, that anything we service is 100% carbon neutral."
A values-led approach to sustainability
Aberdeen Laundry Services' achievement represents the culmination of years of incremental progress guided by four core company values: Integrity, Innovation, Customer Focus, and Sustainability. The company's 2024 Sustainability Report demonstrates significant investments in technology, machinery, and innovative processes that have driven measurable environmental improvements:
- 60% reduction in carbon intensity (Scope 1 & 2 emissions) compared to the 2020 baseline year
- 36% reduction in Scope 3 emissions since 2023
- 100% renewable electricity across all operations, certified by REGO since Oct 2024
- 23% decrease in water usage intensity since 2022
- £360,000 social value created through community initiatives
Comprehensive verification and transparency
To ensure complete transparency and credibility and link directly to core company values, Aberdeen Laundry Services partnered with established industry leaders for independent verification:
- NQA Certification Limited conducted the carbon neutrality verification
- Carbon Neutral Britain managed the carbon offset portfolio
- 1,800 tonnes of CO₂e offset through verified international projects
The carbon neutrality declaration covers all operations at the company's Mugiemoss, Keith, Inverness, and Byron sites, including all direct emissions (Scope 1), energy -indirect emissions (Scope 2), and significant all indirect emissions that occur in the value chain (Scope 3).
Building on a foundation of recognition
The ISO 14064-1 and 14068-1 certifications complement Aberdeen Laundry Services' existing portfolio of sustainability credentials:
- EcoVadis Silver Rating (top 15% of assessed entities)
- Infinite Textiles Certified Partner
- UN Global Compact signatory
- Climate Pledge signatory (Amazon's net-zero initiative)
- Living Wage Foundation accredited employer
- Armed Forces Covenant member
- A Roadmap for SMEs Across Scotland
As an SME, Aberdeen Laundry Services demonstrates that meaningful environmental action is achievable without compromising business growth. The company employs a diverse workforce of over 100 people, with 51% female representation and 47% from ethnic minority backgrounds.
"We're proud to continue to make a wider impact on society and planet, and hopefully we inspire others to do the same," adds Surendra. "By building our foundations on integrity and creating an environment that establishes a community working towards a common goal, we're innovating with care for our people, environment, and community."
Industry impact and practical benefits
The carbon neutrality certification provides tangible benefits to Aberdeen Laundry Services' partners and clients. Any textiles serviced by the company are now processed with a verified carbon neutral footprint, offering businesses a credible way to reduce their own supply chain emissions.
For commercial laundries across the UK and internationally, Aberdeen Laundry Services has established a replicable model demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can advance together through systematic, values-driven action.
Looking ahead: Ambitious targets beyond carbon neutrality
Despite achieving carbon neutrality in 2025, Aberdeen Laundry Services continues to pursue even more ambitious goals which can be seen on the company’s website.