Earth Day was created in 1970 and as we approach the 50th year anniversary, the need for environmental protection is as urgent as it’s ever been. Since then, we’ve seen compelling evidence of climate change, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, and the rise of a global plastic pollution problem. For instance, the top 700 meters (2,300 ft) of the earth’s oceans have warmed 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Increasing human population and natural resource consumption has wiped out 60% of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles since 1970. An estimated 2.5 billion people lack access to clean water and improved sanitation. Finally, we are only recycling about 10% of the 220 million tons of plastics that are produced each year.
Reading the endless stream of sobering statistics on global sustainability challenges and seeing images of plastics ingested by marine life shouldn’t cause pessimism, but must be a call to action. Individuals and organizations must undertake global efforts to conserve, protect, and improve the environment.
Throughout the course of Diversey’s nearly 95 years of providing cleaning and hygiene technologies, we have demonstrated that environmental stewardship is good for business. Diversey’s customers in hospitality, healthcare, food service, building services, retail, and food & beverage rely on cleaning product technologies, equipment innovations, and services that help lower their environmental footprint. Earth Day is an opportunity to recognize our role in reducing environmental impacts and revitalize our efforts to help customers lower their environmental footprint.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer insightful blueprints to focus efforts toward solving these global challenges. Protecting and restoring aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; taking action on climate change; and responsible consumption and manufacturing serve as some of the key SDGs Diversey studied when we launched our new sustainability goals and our “Facilitators for Life” program last year. The Diversey strategy includes targets for greenhouse gas reduction, energy savings, water conservation, waste prevention, greener chemistry, supplier engagement, community social responsibility, ethical business practices and quantifying sustainability benefits for customers. While Diversey has historically made progress in these areas, one of the new Diversey goals is to reduce our packaging footprint, which follows the SDG target, “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.”
Diversey’s solutions are helping customers around the world become more efficient with resources. Here are some good examples of how we contribute to a more sustainable way of doing business:
Our J-Flex/RTD dispensing system can reduce packaging by 98% when compared to ready to use products. The next generation integrated, portable dispenser, Smart Dose reduces packaging by 86%, lowering shipping impacts, and carbon footprint.
Our personal care product, Soft Care Sensations can replace up to 200 small plastic amenity bottles in hotels.
Our Clax Advanced low-temperature laundry system has been shown to reduce water consumption by up to 35% in hotels.
Diversey has also integrated water savings technologies in machines like TASKI IntelliFlow in machines, which reduces water up to 76% in floor cleaning when compared to traditional auto scrubbers.
Our TASKI AERO vacuum cleaner, with increased vacuum efficiency, reduced over 7,000 tons of GHG emissions last year.
Diversey also has programs that Create Shared Value with customers, such as Soap 4 Hope and Linens for Life. These not only contribute to significant environmental improvements, but also serve social good by improving the lives of others in the communities where we operate.
Earth Day is a call for organizations to find solutions, collaborate, and solve global environmental challenges. Today, Diversey reaffirms our commitment to responsible use, customer partnerships, and sustainable innovations.
To download our sustainability report and learn more about Diversey’s commitments to social and environmental stewardship go to https://www.diversey.com/sustainability.
[1] https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
[2] https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/living-planet-report-2018
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/wash_statistics.html
