Oxwash teases 'Big Blue I', Sustainable Ventures wins Best Workplace and Tech Zero on Business of Sustainability podcast

Our weekly newsletter aims to showcase positive sustainability news.

Oxwash tease launch of the world's most advanced and sustainable industrial laundry plant

FuturePlus community member Oxwash | B Corp™️ has published a teaser video showcasing its first-of-a-kind plant, Big Blue I.

‘Big Blue I’ is the world's most advanced and sustainable industrial laundry plant. Oxwash Founder, Kyle C Grant-Talbot previously joined Alexandra Smith and Mike Penrose on the Business of Sustainability podcast to talk through the organisation’s journey and mission.

Oxwash plants run entirely on biogas from renewable agricultural sources.

All of their plants are boilerless - a world first -eliminating emissions from heating water t high temperatures, and the nationwide electric and HVO logistics fleet is recharged by 100% renewable energy. To hear more about the plans for future, click on the link below. 

Sustainable Ventures wins Best Workplace at New London Awards

Congratulations to Sustainable Ventures and the Material Works Architecture team after winning a New London Award 2024 for Best Workplace.

The NLA London Architectural Awards, supported by the Mayor of London , celebrate outstanding new projects that positively impact their surroundings.

Sustainable Workspace is a shining example of innovation and sustainability, a low-carbon hub for climate tech businesses. Located within a historic London building, it showcases cutting-edge materials and circular construction techniques that set a new benchmark for sustainable design.

This transformative project was a true collaboration with forward-thinking organisations:

• U-Build crafted demountable partitions.
• Biohm contributed mycelium acoustic baffles and food waste finishes.
• Adaptavate supplied low-carbon plaster.

The result? A workspace that not only reduces embodied carbon emissions but also introduces a fresh aesthetic and material language attuned to the urgency of the climate crisis.

We applaud this incredible achievement, which paves the way for a more sustainable future in architecture and design!

Business Loop Manchester

We rounded off the year by co-hosting Manchester's Business Advantage 2025 Executive Roundtable at Sustainable Ventures' new Manchester site as part of Sustainable Futures Live.

An amazing group from Manchester's ecosystem, including local businesses, government and innovative start-ups, came together to discuss key themes, including rebranding sustainability as business resilience, navigating the tension between short-term pressures and long-term goals, and leveraging governance to make sustainability a shared responsibility.

Aside from some rather brilliant skills and talents from the group, some of the themes that stood out included rebranding sustainability as a business resilience exercise,  the ongoing tensions between short-term pressures and long-term goals and the role of governance as a tool to make sustainability a collective responsibility.

Keep an eye out next week for a detailed summary of the Manchester event.

In 2025, we’ll host more Sustainable Future Live events in collaboration with Sustainable Ventures, with sessions planned in London and Manchester. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements; we can’t wait to share more soon!

Tech Zero on Business of Sustainability podcast

In our latest episode, our co-founders and show hosts, Alexandra Smith and Mike Penrose , sit down with Sophia Kesteven , General Manager at Tech Zero , to discuss how tech companies can lead the charge on climate action. Tech Zero recently published its 2023 impact report, which found:

• Over a third of Tech Zero members have published a net zero report and taken action to reduce their emissions, outperforming comparable schemes, which track at less than 10%.
• 24% of these companies have reduced emissions since 2021, bucking wider industry trends.
• 92% are open to collaborating with competitors if this will help them to reduce carbon emissions.

On the podcast, Sophia, Alex and Mike discuss:

• The importance of transparency and planning in meeting sustainability goals
• How technology can drive impactful and meaningful progress
• The benefits of collaboration between businesses, governments, and stakeholders
• Inspiring success stories from TechZero members

🎧 Listen to discover actionable insights and learn how your organisation can make a difference 👉https://lnkd.in/deWm4DNC

UK to make online retailers contribute to e-waste recycling costs

The UK Government announced this week’s plans to hold online sellers of electronic goods accountable for their share of waste management costs.

The plans will extend the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations to include online retailers and vape producers, ensuring they contribute to managing the environmental impact of their products.

Following a consultation with over 300 responses from businesses, local authorities, and industry experts, the revised rules reflect a consensus on the need for greater accountability in the digital marketplace.

Under the new framework, online marketplaces will be required to register with the Environment Agency and report their UK sales data.

This data will inform the financial contributions each business must make to support the collection and recycling of waste electronics.

If your business needs assistance with new policy, regulation or reporting, get in touch: info@future-plus.co.uk