PPC121 | BUSINESS

In this article, Chris Cagienard, Managing Director of Pest Solutions, shares how sustainability has transformed his business and why small pest management companies can benefit just as much as large corporations from embracing greener practices.

Speed view:

• Sustainability isn’t just for big corporations – smaller pest management companies can benefit too
• Embedding sustainability led to cost savings, innovation and stronger customer loyalty
• The Willow Review shows 67% of SMEs cut costs and 52% gained new customers through sustainable practices
• BPCA’s ESG Working Group is creating a Sustainability Toolkit to help members take their first steps.

The topic of sustainability can be daunting for small and medium-sized businesses. It’s easy to see it as something that belongs to big corporates with dedicated budgets and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) targets.

But what if sustainable practices were just as accessible for small businesses? What if they could add profit to the bottom line, create a trading advantage and help drive growth? That’s exactly what the recent government-backed Willow Review shows: sustainability isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business.

At Pest Solutions, we decided to take our first steps by joining the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce’s Step Up to Net Zero programme. I’ve since become a mentor on that scheme and an active contributor to the Circular Glasgow network, both of which helped inform the Willow Review. When I looked at the report’s findings, they matched almost perfectly with what we’d discovered in our own business.

We started from a position of not even understanding the language. We didn’t know what the circular economy was. Fast forward 18 months, and we’ve become champions of sustainable and circular practices, having felt the transformative benefits first-hand.

Small steps grew into big ideas. What started as a side project is now a cornerstone of our business plan. Sustainability has made Pest Solutions stronger, more innovative and more profitable.

We were even proud to see our work through the Chamber of Commerce reflected in the findings of the Willow Review and the ACTS Toolkits produced by Circular Glasgow. We didn’t think a small Glasgow-based business like ours could make a significant impact – but we did.

“Looking at everything we do through the lens of sustainability forced us to ask why we did things the way we did. ‘Because that’s how we’ve always done it’ just wasn’t good enough.”

The Willow Review

The Willow Review spotlights how sustainability drives profitability, innovation and long-term growth for small businesses.

It was co-chaired by Ministers Gareth Thomas and Sarah Jones, alongside Nick Stace OBE and Michelle Ovens CBE, supported by a steering board of industry leaders, government representatives and sustainability experts.

The message is clear: sustainability isn’t just for the big players. Small and micro businesses can and should get involved – not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes sound business sense.

Full Willow Report available at willowreview.com/report

Financial benefits of sustainability

SMEs make up 99% of UK businesses and contribute roughly half of the UK’s business-related carbon emissions. That means sustainability is both an environmental necessity and a commercial opportunity.

The Willow Review found that 67% of SMEs achieved cost savings through reduced operational costs, and we’ve experienced that ourselves.Looking at everything we do through a sustainability lens forced us to ask: why do we do it that way? When the answer was “because that’s how we’ve always done it,” it was time for change.

That questioning mindset led to real innovation. We found better, more efficient, more responsible ways of doing things. Sustainability became a filter through which every decision must pass – and it’s paying off.

Revenue growth

The Willow Review also reported that 52% of SMEs attracted new customers, and 35% saw improved customer loyalty thanks to sustainable practices.

We’ve found the same. Our customer retention rate is over 98%, but clients have embraced our sustainability work because it helps them meet their own environmental goals. It makes us a more attractive supplier and deepens relationships.

Sharing our sustainability journey also shows the character of our business – that we care about doing things right. It’s helped us win new customers, attract top people and retain great staff. Our culture is stronger, and we’re growing faster and more efficiently as a result.

Innovation and recognition

When we first started out, it was easy to think that, as a small pest management company, there were limits to what we could achieve. But once we began, we realised the only real limit was our mindset.

Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. 

That attitude has led to several transformative innovations – reducing costs, improving profitability and enhancing service for customers.

Our efforts have been recognised too. We were proud winners of the 2024 Glasgow Business Awards Net Zero Achievement and the 2025 National Pest Awards Sustainability Initiative of the Year. Three of our sustainability projects were also finalists at the 2025 GBA Awards for innovation, sustainable development and digital technology.

It just goes to show – small businesses can make a big impact.

“We started from a position of not even understanding the language. Now we’re champions of sustainable and circular practices.”

Breaking down barriers

The Willow Review also highlighted that 59% of SMEs see cost as a major barrier to sustainability, alongside knowledge gaps and a lack of trusted information.

That’s where collaboration comes in. Through the BPCA ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Working Group, we’re helping to break down those barriers for members.

The group is creating a Sustainability Toolkit with practical guidance and real-life case studies to help pest management companies take their first steps – and share their successes along the way.

Watch this space for more resources from BPCA to help members unlock the same benefits that transformed our business.

YOUR IDEAS FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY

If you’d like to get involved, join the ESG Working Group by emailing [email protected]

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