Who we are
Bubble Fresh (Bubblefresh Limited, company number 12691029) is a specialist cleaning and clearance company based in Rushden, Northamptonshire. We work with vulnerable adults and council partners across Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Norfolk. This policy explains how we manage our environmental responsibilities across all of our operations.
Our commitment
We are committed to protecting the environment and reducing the impact of our operations. Our work involves cleaning, clearance, and waste removal, all of which have environmental consequences. We take those consequences seriously. We aim to prevent pollution, reduce waste, lower our carbon emissions, use water and energy wisely, and comply with all relevant environmental law. We are committed to continuous improvement and will set measurable targets each year to track our progress. We aspire to reach net zero carbon emissions from our direct operations and are working towards setting a formal target date as we build our emissions baseline. The Director, Lance James, has overall responsibility for environmental performance and ensures that environmental considerations are part of everyday decision-making across the business.
Scope
This policy applies to all Bubble Fresh employees, contractors, and anyone carrying out work on our behalf. It covers all of our activities, including cleaning and clearance operations at client properties, transport and vehicle use, waste handling and disposal, purchasing and use of cleaning products and materials, and office and administrative activities.
Environmental legislation
We comply with all relevant environmental legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Act 2021, the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, the Clean Air Act 1993, and the Water Resources Act 1991. We hold a valid Upper Tier Waste Carrier Licence registered with the Environment Agency and maintain duty of care documentation for all waste transfers. We monitor changes in environmental law and update our practices accordingly, including new duties introduced by the Environment Act 2021 around waste tracking, resource efficiency, and environmental governance.
Waste reduction and recycling
We sort and segregate waste on every job wherever possible, separating recyclable materials, reusable items, and general waste. We work with licensed waste carriers to ensure waste goes through the most appropriate route. We actively look for opportunities to divert items from landfill through donation, recycling, or repurposing, with client consent. We follow the waste hierarchy set out in the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011: prevent, prepare for reuse, recycle, recover, and dispose as a last resort. Our target is to divert at least 70% of clearance waste from landfill by weight. We track waste volumes and diversion rates on every job and report these figures to council partners quarterly. For full details of how we classify, handle, and document waste, see our Waste Management Policy.
Chemical usage and pollution prevention
We use cleaning chemicals responsibly, following manufacturer guidance on dilution and application to avoid waste and environmental contamination. Where effective alternatives exist with lower environmental impact, such as plant-based or biodegradable products, we select those products. We store chemicals safely to prevent spills and leaks, using secondary containment where required. We never pour chemicals down drains, into watercourses, or onto land. We dispose of all chemical waste through licensed waste carriers in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. We carry spill kits on all vehicles used for cleaning and clearance work. Employees are trained to contain and report any accidental spills immediately. For detailed chemical handling procedures, see our COSHH Policy.
Transport, emissions, and carbon reduction
We recognise that vehicle use is our largest source of carbon emissions. We plan job schedules and routes to minimise unnecessary travel and reduce fuel consumption. We maintain all vehicles regularly to ensure they run efficiently and meet emission standards. We require drivers to switch off engines when stationary for more than one minute and to check tyre pressures regularly, as under-inflated tyres increase fuel use. We keep records of fuel use and total mileage to track our transport emissions over time. As we grow, we will evaluate lower-emission vehicle options, including electric or hybrid vehicles, when replacing our fleet. We understand emissions in terms of Scope 1 (direct emissions from our vehicles and any gas heating), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity), and Scope 3 (wider supply chain emissions, such as the products we buy and waste disposal by third parties). At our current scale, we focus primarily on reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and we will address Scope 3 emissions as our reporting capability develops.
Water usage
We use water responsibly across all of our operations. During cleaning work, we avoid unnecessary water use and follow product instructions that specify the correct amount of water needed. Where possible, we use water-efficient cleaning methods. We do not allow contaminated water to enter surface drains or watercourses. We report any water leaks or plumbing issues found during our work to the client or referring council.
Energy efficiency
We take steps to reduce energy use in our day-to-day operations. This includes switching off equipment and lights when not in use, maintaining equipment so it runs efficiently, and choosing energy-efficient options where practical when purchasing new equipment. We monitor our electricity and gas use and look for ways to reduce consumption each year.
Biodiversity
We are aware of our duty to consider biodiversity in our operations, in line with the strengthened biodiversity duty introduced by the Environment Act 2021 and the protections set out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Where our clearance work involves garden or external areas, we take care to avoid unnecessary harm to wildlife, habitats, nesting birds, and protected species. If we encounter protected species or sensitive habitats during our work, we stop work in that area and seek advice before proceeding.
Environmental targets and measurement
We set annual environmental targets and track our progress. Our current targets include diverting at least 70% of clearance waste from landfill by weight, reducing fuel consumption per job through better route planning, increasing the use of lower-impact cleaning products year on year, recording and reporting environmental data to council partners each quarter, and building an emissions baseline to support a future net zero target. The Director reviews these targets annually and sets new objectives based on the previous year's performance. We report our environmental performance to council partners as part of our contract reporting.
Environmental incident reporting
All employees must report any environmental incident immediately to their manager or the Director. Environmental incidents include spills or leaks of chemicals, fuel, or other substances, accidental releases to drains, watercourses, or land, damage to wildlife or habitats during clearance work, and any situation where pollution may have occurred. We investigate all environmental incidents promptly, take steps to contain and clean up any damage, and record what happened and what we did to prevent it recurring. Where required, we report incidents to the Environment Agency or the relevant local authority.
Staff environmental awareness
All employees receive environmental awareness training during induction, covering waste segregation, chemical handling, spill response, water and energy efficiency, and the importance of reporting environmental incidents. We provide refresher training annually and whenever there are significant changes to our environmental procedures or legal requirements. Managers are responsible for making sure environmental good practice is followed on every job.
Purchasing and supply chain
When purchasing cleaning products, equipment, and materials, we consider environmental impact alongside effectiveness and cost. We prefer products that are biodegradable, have reduced packaging, or carry recognised environmental certifications. We actively reduce our use of single-use plastics where practical alternatives are available. We work with suppliers who share our commitment to reducing environmental harm.
Working with council partners
We support our council partners in meeting their own environmental and climate commitments. We provide environmental performance data, including waste diversion rates and recycling volumes, as part of our quarterly contract reporting. Where councils have declared climate emergencies or set net zero targets, we work with them to align our practices and reporting with their requirements. We respond to environmental queries from council commissioning teams promptly and openly.
Related policies
This policy should be read alongside our Waste Management Policy, COSHH Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Risk Assessment Policy, Incident Reporting Policy, and Social Value Statement. Together, these policies set out how we manage the environmental, health, and safety aspects of our operations.
Contact us
If you have any questions about our environmental practices or this policy, contact us on 01933 213045, via Relay UK on 18001 then 01933 213045, or by post at Bubblefresh Limited, 6 Carnegie Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 9SN.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Where we make material changes to our environmental commitments or practices, we will notify council partners and staff directly. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Review
The Director, Lance James, reviews this policy annually and sets objectives for reducing waste, improving recycling rates, lowering emissions, and minimising our overall environmental impact. Last reviewed: February 2026. Next review due: February 2027.
© 2026 Bubble Fresh. This policy is protected by copyright (Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988) and may not be copied, reproduced, or redistributed without our written permission. See our Terms of Use.