Summary
Futures encourages and promotes recycling through its supply chain and customer base and supports disadvantaged individuals through commitment to providing work experience and employment opportunities.

Background
Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd is an independent trade supplier of washroom, cleaning, janitorial and associated products employing12 people. Since its establishment 10 years ago the company has sought to invest in training its staff, support local charities, minimise its impact on the environment and support the underprivileged in its local community. This has included offering careleavers 12 week workplacements as part of Croydon Council's Employability Project.

Responsible business objectives 
Mandie Kemp, founder and managing director of Futures, set up the company as a result of her desire to create a better start for her children and other young people. She feels strongly that it is not all about the bottom line but about putting something back into the local community

How they do it

• Environment. Futures established an environmental policy in 2004 as well as creating an environmental management system with targets reviewed quarterly. It is working towards ISO 14001 accreditation. Suppliers and customers are encouraged to recycle and provide recycled products and the company undertakes customer satisfaction surveys every six months. Over 90% of office waste including all paper, plastics and cardboard is now collected and recycled by a local company. It also purchased a pool bike and installed a shower to encourage staff to cycle to work. Futures successfully achieved the 'Gold Envibe Award' for business excellence awarded by Croydon Council which commits it to achieving a range of environmental criteria. All customer communications include tips on how to recycle and a 'Green Champion' has been appointed to drive environmental activity.
• Employability. Over the past year Futures agreed to take on four careleavers on 12 week work placements as part of Croydon Council's Employability Project. Job descriptions and objectives for the placement are set which are reviewed monthly and informal meetings also include the young person's social and key workers. The careleavers are actively encouraged to keep going through the workplacement with weekly training sheets which are signed and checked together with a discussion on how they could improve.
• Fundraising and charity support. In addition to supporting local charities financially, the company sponsors staff fundraising and encourages customers to reply to satisfaction surveys by making charitable donations. Staff are involved in decisions and encouraged to suggest ideas for issue they are particularly passionate about.

 What impact it has

• Four careleavers successfully completing workplacements with two being taken on as permanent staff - over 30% of employees are careleavers.

• Charities benefiting from donations and fundraising activities - £1,000 in the last six months.

• Reduced environmental impact as a result of environmental management system.

Business Benefits
Implementing an environmental management system led to cost savings of £2,000 in one year.  Public and peer recognition has led to a number of awards for the company. The company's approach and commitment to training and developing staff has contributed to good morale and low turnover of staff.