Andrew Stone, Rentokil Initial’s Managing Director – Pacific, shares insights into the company’s award-winning approach to sustainability.
The pest management sector is changing; we are moving away from traditional treatments reliant on chemicals and shifting toward smarter ecological systems. Rentokil Initial is at the forefront of this movement. At the July 2026 FAOPMA Pest-Summit in New Zealand, where Rentokil secured the Sustainability Award for Australia, highlights our clear commitment to environmental responsibility.
Rentokil is proving that commercial growth and environmental care can work hand in hand. This overarching goal is driven by three specific pillars of action: sustainable solutions, sustainable operations, and a sustainable workplace.
At the heart of these sustainable solutions is a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. As a framework, IPM inherently drives sustainability by shifting the focus from reactive chemical treatments to holistic, long-term ecological management. This methodology operates on five core principles: prioritising proactive prevention to stop infestations early and reduce the need for intensive future treatments; designing customised solutions tailored to a facility’s specific environment rather than relying on blanket applications; championing environmentally responsible practices that actively minimise chemical usage to protect local biodiversity; deploying advanced technology for real-time detection and highly targeted, efficient interventions; and relying on the deep expertise of trained technicians to lead these ecologically sound practices.
To deliver on this ecological approach, we have fundamentally rethought our use of chemicals, consumables, and hardware to further reduce our environmental footprint. By replacing reactive treatments with proactive solutions guided by data, we have transformed our service delivery. PestConnect is a digital ecosystem that uses continuous remote monitoring to track pest activity. This allows pest managers to resolve rodent issues faster and has led to a 60 per cent drop in rodenticide use for connected clients. Using less bait means a much lower risk of secondary poisoning for local wildlife.
We are also rethinking standard equipment. For example, Lumnia LED fly control units use adaptive technology to cut energy consumption by up to 79 per cent while reducing lamp waste by 67 per cent compared to older fluorescent models.
Rentokil’s commitment goes well beyond product installation, with a heavy focus on mobility, supply chain integrity, and waste management. As we move through 2026, over 84 per cent of our Australian power now comes from renewable sources. Thanks to onsite solar generation, that number actually exceeds 100 per cent across our contestable sites. Out on the road, the service fleet is being actively upgraded. Dozens of hybrid vehicles are currently in operation and we are trialling 18 battery electric vehicles to cut down primary carbon emissions. Waste management is another major focus. In 2025, the Australian operations successfully kept over 123 tonnes of organic waste, 23 tonnes of batteries, and 23 tonnes of aerosols out of local landfills. By partnering with specialist groups like EcoCycle, we ensure hazardous materials are responsibly recycled rather than discarded.
The final pillar centres on properties, colleagues, and creating value for the wider community. Moving to zero toxicity internal rodent control models creates a safer, allergen-free environment for both employees and clients. Protecting biodiversity is also treated as a core part of the job. Pest managers use specific methods, such as applying Eco Snail repellent to bait stations to keep common gastropods out, which protects the broader food chain. On a larger scale, Rentokil has partnered with Rainforest Rescue to help regenerate over two and a half hectares of the Daintree lowland.
These actions create a purpose-driven workplace backed by strict global standards. Rentokil holds an EcoVadis Silver Rating, placing us in the top 15 per cent of sustainable businesses globally, alongside an MSCI AA rating. We also maintain rigorous compliance with the Modern Slavery Act to ensure ethical practices across their entire supply chain, protecting our workers and partners alike.
Winning the FAOPMA Sustainability Award shows that at Rentokil Initial, we treat environmental responsibility as a core business practice rather than just a corporate buzzword. By actively separating business growth from environmental harm across these three distinct pillars, we are creating a practical blueprint for the sector. For the rest of the industry, this offers a clear look at what the future of professional pest management needs to look like.
Andrew Stone, Managing Director – Pacific, Rentokil Initial
Image caption: Andrew Stone (centre), managing director – Pacific for Rentokil Initial, receiving the Sustainability Award for Australia in July 2026. Steve Broadbent, regional director for Ensystex (left) presented the award together with AEPMA President Rob Boschma (right). Photo credit: FAOPMA
