Aberdeen Laundry Services (ALS), a leading provider in the commercial laundry industry, has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing significant progress in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance excellence.
"We are immensely proud of the sustainable transformation our company has achieved in 2024," said Steven Burnett, group marketing and stakeholder communications manager at Aberdeen Laundry Services.
"Our commitment to integrating environmentally friendly practices into every aspect of our operations has yielded impressive results while creating meaningful value for our communities and stakeholders."
Environmental leadership
The report highlights a remarkable 26.25% reduction in total carbon emissions compared to 2023, including a 10.1% decrease in Scope 1 & 2 emissions and a substantial 35.8% reduction in Scope 3 emissions. Water usage intensity improved by 21.28%, while waste diverted from landfill increased by nearly 30%.
Aberdeen Laundry Services' electricity is now 100% renewable, backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certification. The company is actively exploring Solar-PV systems with battery storage and solar-thermal systems with heat pumps to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Prestigious recognitions
ALS's dedication to sustainability has earned multiple prestigious recognitions in 2024:
- Silver EcoVadis Rating, placing the company in the top 93rd percentile of all assessed entities
- Advancement toward ISO 14068-3 certification for carbon neutrality
- Signing of The Climate Pledge, committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040
- Membership in the United Nations Global Compact
- Continued support from the Living Wage Foundation for fair compensation practices
Community impact
"Our sustainability journey extends beyond environmental metrics to create meaningful social impact," Burnett added. "Through targeted community engagement, we've generated over £360,000 in social value, including 12,000 overnight stays for vulnerable individuals through our partnership with Homeless Project Scotland."
The company donated £30,000 to homeless support charities and maintained strong local economic ties, with 45% of its supply chain comprised of local businesses.
Workplace excellence
ALS continues to champion diversity and inclusion, with women representing 51% of the workforce and 47% of employees coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The company eliminated zero-hour contracts, ensured living wage payments, and invested in comprehensive employee training and wellness programs.
Ambitious future vision
Looking ahead, Aberdeen Laundry Services has established a bold roadmap for continued sustainability leadership:
- Carbon neutrality by 2030 through eliminating or offsetting emissions
- Net-zero emissions by 2040 across the entire value chain
- 100% renewable energy transition by 2040 for heating, drying, and electricity
- Increasing local business participation in the supply chain to 50%
- Expanding community engagement by 20% through strategic outreach programs
- Integration of solar energy infrastructure across all facilities
Academic and government collaboration
The report also details ALS's strategic collaborations with Scottish universities and government bodies, including:
- A KTP-UKRI Research Project with the University of the West of Scotland focusing on boiler efficiency and process optimisation
- Industrial student placements with the University of Dundee for engineering and business management disciplines
- Digital transformation initiatives with Heriot-Watt University
- Renewable energy and funding consultations with Scottish Enterprise