Sustainability report
Greenspeed is a brand of ecological cleaning solutions for professional use. From innovative microfibre to circular detergents and modular trolleys – we make sustainable cleaning easy and accessible.
Our mission? Cleaning the world with care, together. We want to develop products with a positive and restorative effect on people and the environment.
We test each product launch based on our product concept’s three pillars: circular healthy, and surprisingly effective. They are the main themes of this report.
So green is not just in our name – it’s in our DNA. High time to take a look at our efforts for a greener future.
We want to develop products that fit into a zero-waste, circular economy. We achieve this with our Cradle to Cradle detergents and circular microfibre cloth Re-belle.
Our goal is to create products with a restorative and positive impact on people and the environment.
We select our ingredients with care and make our products as healthy as possible.
We go for highquality products whose efficiency has been tested with labels such as Nordic Swan or the EU Ecolabel.
These labels stand for high quality, excellent performance and fair production.
We have been part of the B Corp community since 2024 August.
This shows that our company meets high environmental and social responsibility standards.
Go Ocean is committed to the restoration of marine ecosystems. Since 1 January 2024, 2% of revenue from our Probio Tab range has been going to its coral reef restoration project.
GREENSPEED IN FIGURES
founded more than 25 years ago
10,000 m2 of ecological production
active in more than 30 countries worldwide
team of 10 international employees
annual turnover of €12 million
TEAM GREENSPEED
MICHEL DE BRUIN CEO JOHAN TOPS Commercial Director
MEREL VAN HAASTERT Inside Sales Executive
ROSALIENE VERHOEF Marketing Executive
ROB SCHAKEL Account Manager Netherlands
NATHAN MITCHELL Account Manager UK & Ireland
BATAK Inside Sales Executive
EVA MEERTS Marketing Executive STEFAAN AERNOUTS Product Manager LIES MARIJNISSEN Sustainability Manager
1. OUR GREEN JOURNEY
1.1 HOW IT ALL STARTED
Greenspeed has focused on sustainability for more than 25 years. We were awarded our first EU Ecolabel in 2008 and our first Cradle to Cradle and Nordic Swan certificates in 2012. In 2018, we introduced our Probio range – probiotic cleaning products that are both environmentally friendly and environmentally beneficial.
Three years later, we surprised the market with Re-belle, a circular microfibre cloth that rebels against waste. Today, a zero-waste future is at the heart of everything we do. With our Probio Tabs cleaning products, we want to make ‘Waste-free cleaning’ possible for everyone.
1.2 THE GREENSPEED PHILOSOPHY
We believe in a future where cleaning is about care as well as hygiene. Care for our planet, our society and our future.
Our ultimate goal is to develop products with a positive and restorative impact on people and the environment. We work hard on this every day so that we can continue our green journey.
Our ultimate goal is to develop products with a positive and restorative impact on people and the environment.
2008
1st EU ecolabel product: Citop
2016
• Acquisition of Ecover Professional by Greenspeed
• Vision: circular cleaning concepts
2021
Circular microfiber cloth Re-belle
Now & future
Concept: Waste-free & healthy cleaning
2000
Ecological cleaning: Start Ecover Professional
2012
Pioneer in circular cleaning: C2C & Nordic Swan ecolabel
2018
Environmentally beneficial cleaning with Probio range
2022
Launch of Greenspeed Tab range
1.3 GOALS
We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guide to make our vision a reality.
The SDGs set a global agenda to create a more sustainable future by 2030. Together with the VOKA Sustainability Charter, we achieved our sustainability goals for three consecutive years. This hat-trick meant that we can now call ourselves an ‘SDG Pioneer’.
Each SDG fits within the principles of our product concept: Circular, Healthy and Surprisingly Effective.
Circular aligns with clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), responsible products (SDG 12) and climate action (SDG 13). We go for circular solutions that reduce waste, protect water and contribute to a cleaner climate.
We focus on the five SDGs that are most relevant to Greenspeed and work towards them by continuously improving both our product range and our business operations.
Healthy focuses on good health and well-being (SDG 3) and decent work (SDG 8). Our products are safer and healthier for both users and their environment. We also ensure safe and fair working conditions.
Surprisingly Effective goes beyond just results; it is linked to SDG 3 and SDG 8. Our products achieve excellent results and keep the environment clean, which increases well-being in several areas.
2. CIRCULAR
2.1 PRODUCT
We go for circular products that consist of renewable or recycled raw materials that are biodegradable (biocycle) or recyclable (technical cycle). Our preference is for local production with green energy and respect for biodiversity.
We measure this with our percentage of certified detergents that meet the strict standards of the Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, Ecocert or Cradle to Cradle.
Products such as the Hydra floor system show that ergonomics, sustainability and high performance can go hand in hand.
2.2 CORPORATE
We optimise the packaging for a minimum weight per dose and select recycled and recyclable materials. For example, our Probio Tabs contain 0% disposable plastic.
Our sustainable microfibre products such as the Twist Mop are made from recycled fibres and last a long time.
At business and operational level, we focus on reducing our carbon footprint.
We optimise our transport fleet and facilities’ energy consumption with sensor lighting and renewable energy.
When it comes to production energy consumption, we dig deeper into our supply chain. For example, we perform a life cycle analysis (LCA) of our products and we examine the share of renewable energy.
We also pay close attention to waste management and the water consumption of our facilities and production processes.
DID YOU KNOW...?
you can clean 3x faster with our microfiber cloths compared to traditional ones?
the ‘pig’ system in our factory results in up to 90% water savings?
customers save 502 tons of CO₂ by choosing our chemical products? That’s equal to 25,000 trees! by using recycled materials, we save 57 tons of plastic? Or 2.5 million plastic bottles of 500ml!
customers with the Twist mop and Hydra save 331,789 liters of water? Equivalent to 5,530 showers!
3. HEALTHY
3.1 PRODUCT
Traditional detergents often contain harmful chemicals that can cause air pollution, water pollution and soil degradation.
That’s why we carefully select our ingredients and make our products as healthy as possible with as few harmful ingredients as possible. Cradle to Cradle certification guarantees that the products are safe and free from harmful chemicals.
3.2
CORPORATE
Our employees are our greatest asset. We invest in their professional development and well-being with well-being analyses and HR training. This ensures a happy, healthy working environment.
We apply high standards to our supply chain. We only work with partners who adhere to our Code of Conduct, which focuses on respect, honesty and sustainability.
We also believe in the importance of giving back. On Giving Tuesday, we take action for those in need, for example by volunteering for charities such as ‘Moeders voor Moeders‘ and ‘Dakant’. It is our way of making a positive impact on the community.
4. SURPRISINGLY EFFECTIVE
Greenspeed microfibre cloths are the first in the Benelux to achieve Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification, which has made us a pioneer in the cleaning industry.
This label stands for top quality, longevity and reduced water and air pollution. It also ensures fair and safe working conditions in production.
Our detergents have a minimal impact on the environment throughout their entire life cycle (from raw material to waste) and have been awarded the EU Ecolabel. Only products that meet stringent environmental quality and performance requirements can be awarded this label. Transparent, regularly reviewed criteria and independent checks reassure consumers that they have chosen quality products.
We use probiotics in our Probio and Probio Tab range. These good bacteria are small organisms with a huge impact. After every clean, they continue to have an effect for many days.
Thanks to this long after-effect, they can clean deeper into the surface and remove even the most stubborn odours and dirt.
5. MEASURING OUR PROGRESS
We use specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to meet our goals and to keep improving our impact on the environment, society as a whole and our operations.
The most important KPIs that make a circular, healthier and surprisingly effective future measurable are shown opposite.
CIRCULAR
HEALTHY SURPRISINGLY EFFECTIVE
C2C-certified cleaners and textiles for daily cleaning.
GOAL: 100%
Of the textiles and materials we use will consist of >30% recycled material by 2030.
STATUS: 25%
Plastic material is recycled.
STATUS: 43%
Of the plastic packaging materials brought to market are recycled.
GOAL: 50%
Of the textiles will be recyclable by 2030.
STATUS: 10%
Of the sold microfiber cloths are recyclable.
products.
GOAL: 100%
Of production sites will be risk-free and audited according to Sedex or BSCI standards by 2026.
STATUS: 70%
Of production sites are currently risk-free and audited. The code of conduct is in effect for all our suppliers.
GOAL: 100%
Production with green energy.
STATUS: 54%
Sold products are produced with green energy.
GOAL: 100%
Products in our range carry a sustainability label (EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan).
STATUS: 60%
Products in our range carry a sustainability label.
GOAL: 100% Net Zero by 2050
6. B CORP
6.1 WHAT IS B CORP?
Greenspeed has been a proud part of the B Corp community since 2024 August.
The ‘B’ in B Corp stands for ‘Benefit for all’. B Corp is an accreditation of companies that really make a difference. B Corp companies meet high standards in terms of social and environmental performance, responsibility and transparency.
The non-profit organisation behind the B Corp certificate is B Lab. B Lab is always looking for ways to improve the B Corp certificate to further encourage companies to keep improving themselves.
To sum it all up: B Corp companies aim to make a profit, but also want to make a positive contribution to society and the environment.
6.2 HOW CAN YOU BECOME A B CORP?
B Corp looks at the whole picture: how you treat your employees, your impact on the environment and how transparent you are towards your customers and partners. You need to show that sustainability and social responsibility are deeply embedded in your organisation.
That’s why B Corp assesses companies in five areas: governance, employees, community, environment and customers. Greenspeed achieved a total of 82.5 points. The average score for ‘regular’ companies completing the assessment is currently 50.9.
And this is only the beginning – next time we will be aiming for a B corp score above 100!
7. GO OCEAN PARTNERSHIP
7.1 WASTE-FREE CLEANING WITH PROBIO TABS
At Greenspeed, we fight against a throw-away culture and we believe in ‘Waste-free cleaning’.
That’s why we have developed Probio Tabs – probiotic cleaning tablets in recyclable packaging. The tablet shape eliminates the need to transport any unnecessary water. This saves up to 99% in carbon emissions during transport and up to 99% in storage.
Probio Tabs make sustainable cleaning easy for everyone. We strongly believe in this concept and we are continuing to expand our range to achieve a true tabolution.
7.2 TOGETHER FOR CORAL REEF RESTORATION
Since 1 January 2024, 2% of our Probio Tabs revenue has been going to Go Ocean’s coral reef restoration project.
Coral is essential for a healthy ocean. It is a habitat for marine flora and offers protection to our coastlines, but is currently under huge pressure from water pollution and climate change. Go Ocean works with local communities to restore endangered coral reefs.
The environmental benefits of Probio Tabs make them the perfect choice in support of the Go Ocean project. When the probiotics end up back in the water after cleaning, they actively contribute to maintaining a healthy aquatic flora.
Meanwhile, our coral spider restoration systems have been introduced to the waters of Bali, something we are very proud of! By communicating about our partnership, we hope to inspire others to ride the wave of change. More tabs.
64 planted corals in 2024
Thank you for joining us on our sustainability journey – a journey that is far from over.
8. A LOOK AHEAD WITH OUR CEO
As Greenspeed CEO, I would like to thank you personally for joining us on our sustainability journey – a journey that is far from over. We look towards the future to keep doing better. I am determined to continue to develop Greenspeed cleaning solutions that really make a difference to people and to the environment.
With these efforts, we are aiming for a B Corp score above 100 at the next recertification, because that’s what B Corp is all about: impact measurement, improvement and growth.
There is still work to be done, but I am convinced that we can achieve our goals. Together with our team, with our partners, and with you.
Let’s build a greener, cleaner future for our planet and its people for generations to come.
Take our Probio Tabs, for example. Small in size, but with a huge impact on the fight against waste. Our growing Tab range is starting a movement. A movement towards a future in which ‘Waste-free cleaning’ is the norm.
By 2030, we want to take some major steps: we want to achieve Cradle to Cradle certification for all our daily cleaning products, have all our production running on green energy and use recycled materials for all our textile and plastic components.
Michel De Bruin CEO