Newark's Greezone taps into Virgin Money stream
Waste management specialist Greenzone is one of the first businesses in the UK to be supported by Virgin Money to be more sustainable.
Virgin Money’s new free app, Sustainable Business Coach, measures and tracks businesses’ environmental, social and governance progress, and offers guidance on ways to improve.
In partnership with Future-Fit Foundation — a non-profit organisation that aims to create an environmentally, socially and economically fair society — the app will help UK businesses manage their sustainability goals.
The tool provides an objective assessment of the positive and negative environmental, social and governance impacts of a business’ activities. It also encourages businesses to track their progress over time.
Based in Newark, Greenzone is a recycling and waste management company that recently completed the evaluation tool and identified areas to improve its sustainability performance. The team is using the feedback to move forward following a company restructure.
Louise Taggart, Greenzone chief executive, said: “We have completed the Sustainable Business Coach and while we are pleased with the results, it was thought-provoking and is timely.
“I am keen to improve our sustainability performance going forward — not only will this have a more positive impact on our people, stakeholders and environment, it will be commercially advantageous and shape the right culture.”
Virgin Money is also offering sustainability-linked loans to businesses, which reduces the cost of finance for companies whose core activities enable consumers to operate in a more sustainable way.
Graeme Sands, of Virgin Money, said: “We are committed to working with businesses to help them grow and thrive, and one area where many need support is on their environmental, social and governance strategy.
“Businesses recognise the importance of sustainability to their long-term success but many can face challenges getting started, setting targets and making positive progress.”
