A founding and award-winning member of Carpet Recycling UK, Greenstream Flooring CIC, based in Rhondda Cynon Taff, which maximises community benefit from the sales and reuse of flooring, has been recognised as one of the Top 100 social enterprises in the UK in the NatWest SE100 Index 2021.
The index considers a number of factors including information about the business, financial data, social and environmental impact.
The recognition comes after a year when the business managed to remain open and trading and retained all its staff despite the pandemic. Total material diverted from landfill in 2020 was 51,100m² with 5,700m² being donated to local communities. Although these figures were down compared to previous years, it shows that despite the challenge of Covid-19, Greenstream was able to adapt and pick up its e-commerce/on-line sales/business when perhaps other social enterprises didn’t have this element to fall back on.
Greenstream was also able to continue its community donations element by running a virtual appointment system with carpet being allocated to individuals and community groups in advance and without the need to enter the Greenstream building.
Despite various staff illnesses, home-schooling and caring responsibilities, the organisation’s new ways of working enabled the business to continue throughout the pandemic even allowing it to expand its ‘Valued Volunteer’ programme. This years’ programme specifically designed to support local residents overly affected by the loneliness and isolation due to COVID-19.
Tim West, founding editor of Pioneers Post, who created the SE100 in partnership with NatWest more than a decade ago, said: “It’s always a high point of our year to reveal the names of the UK’s top 100 social enterprises, and a real pleasure to give these organisations and their teams some well-deserved recognition.
“The Top 100 are judged on a wide range of criteria – from the growth and sustainability of their businesses to the innovation and resilience they have demonstrated and the social impact they have delivered.
“It’s never easy to make our final selection but it’s always an inspiring exercise. Their stories remind us of what’s possible when social purpose and business savvy come together, even in these times of incredible pressure and uncertainty experienced during the past year.”
Becky Lythgoe, director at Greenstream Flooring, commented “We are absolutely delighted with this recognition. There are estimated to be 471,000* social enterprises overall in the UK, so to be listed amongst the top 100 is fabulous.
“We are a small team, but everyone plays their part, so this recognition is for each and every one of them. With the main areas of our operation focusing on diverting carpet tiles from landfill, employment and training for local people and helping communities with free carpet tiles, this acknowledgement of our work is another reminder of the important work we do.”
To see the full list, visit the website.
Greenstream strengthens its board
In 2021, Greenstream has strengthened its board with the appointment of 4 non-executive directors, you can read full details on the Greenstream website here
For information on Greenstream Flooring CIC please visit www.findcarpettiles.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Greenstream Flooring CIC is a social enterprise and was established in 2008 in response to the number of carpet tiles being wasted and sent to landfill. We recognized that there is life left in these carpet tiles and as well as the carbon saved, we can provide flooring at low cost to those in need.
Our mission is to maximise the community benefit from the sales and reuse of flooring in the UK. We also maximise the potential of staff and volunteers to that they can positively contribute to their local communities. Consequently, we can then provide low-cost flooring to households on a low income, providing them with the warmth and comfort that flooring provides.
We work with several companies to take-back carpet tiles that are no longer required and ensure they are reused and recycled; and actively work with organisations who share our vision to create a circular economy.
Greenstream Flooring CIC are multi-award winners winning Wales Social Enterprise of the Year, CIH Cymru Innovation of the Year, IWA Environmentalist Award, Outstanding Social Enterprise category in the Wales Sustainability Academy Awards in 2019, and latterly the Reuse Member of the Year award for the fifth time organised by Carpet Recycling UK. In July 2021 we have been recognised as one of the of the Top 100 social enterprises in the NatWest SE100 Index 2021.
For more information visit www.findcarpettiles.co.uk
Media enquiries:
Greenstream Flooring CIC contact: Karen Howell karen@gsflooring.org.uk / 07966 192597