This month, Sustainable PZ is catching up with Tanya, founder of Business Hub member The Marigolds – an eco-conscious holiday let housekeeping service in Penzance, who strive to put the planet first.

So, where did it all start?

The Marigolds was founded by owner Tanya back in 2017. It wasn’t part of some grand business plan, but rather what grew organically from a simple request for help.

Tanya, formerly a sales manager, had just moved to the Duchy when she was asked to do a deep clean for a large holiday let. It was a request that revealed a gap in the market for high-quality, detail-oriented holiday let cleaning, with a need for top-notch welcome hampers.

This request kick-started a journey that has now made The Marigolds well-known for professional quality cleaning – as well as beautiful, locally-sourced welcome hampers that add a warm Cornish touch to every stay.

A commitment to sustainability

Tanya didn’t just want to provide a good cleaning service. For her, growing a business was also about making as little impact on the planet as possible, and perhaps even helping to make positive changes along the way.

“I began to realise, whilst walking on the local beaches, there was an overwhelming amount of plastic detritus. I started collecting it every time I walked,” she says.

“I was very concerned about the impact of this on the environment and all wildlife.

“I decided that I wanted my business to work towards counteracting this and set out to ensure my company became as sustainable, and plastic free as possible. I realise that every tiny change is a step in the right direction and might help to influence others.”

From eco-friendly cleaning products to sourcing locally-made goods for the welcome hampers, she’s now working hard to make sustainability a core value of The Marigolds, and to minimise impact wherever possible.

Challenges on the plastic-Free journey

The journey hasn’t always been easy for Tanya. While cleaning products can be marketed as ‘green’, many of these still come wrapped in plastic or contain hidden environmental costs.

It means that finding effective, affordable, and truly sustainable cleaning supplies has required extensive research, testing, and – at times – compromise.

“Even companies that advertise themselves as ‘eco’ still, remarkably, package their products in plastic. The biggest struggle has been finding manufacturers who meet the ecological standards I strive for,” she says.

“I have accepted that in order to match my sustainability aims and objectives I have also had to accept that my overall profit margins are lower.”

Getting involved with Sustainable PZ

In early 2024, Tanya joined the first Sustainable PZ business meeting at The Hypatia Trust, where she immediately signed up as a Business Hub member (and has been part of it ever since!).

It was a meeting that helped to consolidate her determination to be as plastic-free as possible. Having already landed her Plastic Free Champion plaque from Plastic Free Penzance, going for the Gold Plastic Free Champion Award was the natural next step for her business.

Following an office visit, our team found The Marigolds was already 95% of the way to Gold, showcasing Tanya’s long-standing dedication to protecting the planet. And now? She has not only achieved the gold standard, Tanya is the first housekeeping company in the whole of the UK to get the Gold award from Surfers Against Sewage!

Since joining the Sustainable Penzance community, Tanya says customers increasingly value and support her eco-conscious approach.

Top tips for planet-friendly cleaning

Cleaning in a planet-friendly way isn’t always straightforward. So, what has Tanya found in her years of testing for the best cleaning products?

Her recommended brands for cleaning products include: Homethings, Kit & Kin, Bio-D, Delphis, and Faith in Nature (including their refills).

She also uses SEEP (as seen on Dragon’s Den) who offer great eco sponges, and DONIELE for plastic-free laundry sheets. Notably all the products Tanya uses are sourced in the UK.

With regards the welcome hampers (always provided in the holiday lets), it’s also all about supporting and promoting local businesses.

“I have specifically chosen small, local businesses that care about sustainability.  The products I provide in my welcome hampers are all locally-sourced and, as far as possible, ecologically sustainable,” she says.

“I also hope that the hampers encourage the visitors to purchase some of the products they have been able to sample.”

The future for The Marigolds

Tanya’s vision is clear: to offer exceptional cleaning services with the lightest possible environmental footprint.

“My ambition has always been to be as sustainable, plastic-free and ecologically sound as possible. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved — and even more excited about what’s to come.”

Today, Tanya’s commitment to her business – and the environment – has helped The Marigolds become a certified success. She now works with up to 14 self-employed staff, who manage a diverse range of cleaning contracts, from holiday let changeovers to residential and commercial properties.

Want to join the SPZ Business Hub too?

If you’re a local business in or around Penzance and want to start your journey into a more resilient, planet-friendly future, we’re here to help.

Learn more about the Business Hub, where you can get access to resources, seek advice, and connect with like-minded local businesses who are putting people and planet first.