Ecosurety turns 20 years: Interview with founder Steve Clark

We quickly got a deep understanding of the significance of values and vision when it comes to leadership and started to align our behaviours more consciously with the things we thought were important about people. I remembered working for an inexperienced manager and how confusing and upsetting things could be. So being really clear with people, knowing what a good job looks like, letting others have responsibility for their work and express their individual styles creatively was all baked into our DNA from an early stage. Since then we know a lot more and have a very professional team that’s trained and self-governing in always seeking out ways to work better, so the social side is in good shape.

"The environmental bit was easy… because we care about the environment so much."

We want to work with recyclers that do more than the general average and achieve better recycling rates than their competitors. We want to fund and promote new technology that can make a difference to the way we capture and save resources. We launched the £1m Ecosurety Exploration Fund to explore and support projects in this way… and gave away our own profit to achieve this value over 3 years. So to me, it felt like the B Corp movement was very much in our lane from the very beginning.

If Ecosurety was a car, which car would it be and why?

Lots of people would have different opinions here. But I would say a 1932 Vintage Lanchester. It’s where I started as a kid, helping my dad fix old cars and learning that rusty bits of metal that most people see as junk, can be cleaned up, re-welded and assembled in a way to make beautiful vintage sports cars.

"Actually, this is probably why I went into waste and recycling, because I knew by then that the difference between a waste and a resource is purely your imagination, creativity and effort."

Obviously, I’d make a few modifications to such an old car… I’d put an electric motor in, or maybe a modular hydrogen cell to power it. I’d also lightweight it and add some good seat belts… but keep the traditional essence of the vehicle. A bit like in business, we know that we represent good solid values, but we are fascinated by innovation and being bold and experimenting to always find a better solution in the way we push forwards.

What is your most cherished memory from setting up the business?

Probably the very early days were the most memorable… because they were so painful. I literally was broke, with no money to do anything. In my first year, I remember earning £250 from a year’s worth of 10-hour days and so many setbacks. I’d travel around industrial estates in an old Morris Minor looking at waste in people’s skips and trying to think if I could do something better with it and asking to speak with companies about a better way.

I’d often get dismissed straight away or asked if I was on work experience as I was only in my early 20s. A lot of people took advantage of my naivety. I worked for six weeks full time once to get a cardboard baler into a company and all I got back was a letter of thanks for my analysis and recommendations. Another time I remember having to stay in a hotel in Essex for an early client and couldn’t afford to eat because I’d spent all my money on hiring a car to get there. So I boiled some eggs in the kettle and heated up some bread on the iron to keep me going.

It’s funny to look back on, but it was this pain that sharpened my skills in the commercial, contractual and people side of business, which no doubt has been a big part of our culture and success ever since. There are so many amazing wins and hugely rewarding successes since then. But I think seeing other people grow and develop is probably one of the most enjoyable things about the business now, well that and knowing we are making a huge difference along the way.

What motivates you now?

Leadership development, psychology, how different people can grow and expand their capability, the uniqueness and diversity between people… all of this has become a fascination and almost like a hobby for me to study. I’m also a dad to two young boys, so seeing them grow and just being there through the challenges they face in life is probably my biggest joy and motivation now. It’s way harder than business and frequently pushes me to the limit!

This year’s theme for B Corp month is ‘Go beyond’, what advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs who want to launch a B Corp?

Become a sustainable business first, before seeking to make a sustainable impact.

What are you currently reading?

‘The body keeps the score’ by Bessel van der Kolk. It is about how trauma and psychological events are held and show up in our different behaviours. It reminds me to see the real person as a result of the things that have happened before. It helps me feel more compassionate and open-minded, less judgemental and more considerate of others. And that kindness is so often the thing that makes the difference between being isolated and lonely or living an enjoyable life as a meaningful member of society.

What is your wish for Ecosurety for the next 20 years?

Well, making a huge impact. Sticking true to its values, championing and leading a more resourceful future, influencing the biggest brands to do better through intelligent and strategically significant decisions on their material choices, supply chains setups and end customer relationships.

"To be a genuine force for good that inspires action and accelerates social and environmental improvements. And equally, a place of fun, of laughter, belonging, purpose and fulfilment for all who work in and with the business."