Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark – DISCOVER EAST STAFFORDSHIRE

If your organisation in East Staffordshire is committed to a high-standard of environmental performance, customer service and local community engagement — the SEQM scheme is a worthwhile badge to pursue. Here’s a website-style overview tailored for local businesses:

What is SEQM?

The SEQM is part of the wider Environmental Quality Mark CIC (“EQM”) programme, adapted for the Staffordshire context by Staffordshire County Council and Destination Staffordshire. eqm.org.uk
In essence:

It recognises businesses and organisations in Staffordshire which demonstrate strong environmental credentials and high standards of customer service. eqm.org.uk+1
It is open to different types of organisations — retail, hospitality, services, tourism-related, etc — who care about their local environment and community. eqm.org.uk

Why Apply? What’s In It For You?

Here are the benefits offered to award-holders under SEQM:

Official Recognition: By gaining the SEQM you become formally recognised as an organisation delivering both environmental and customer-service excellence in Staffordshire — validated by local authorities. eqm.org.uk
Marketing & Promotional Advantage: You get to use the SEQM logo in your advertising/marketing which helps you “stand out from the crowd”. eqm.org.uk
Membership & Networking: As an award-holder you receive free first-year membership of the Staffordshire Business & Environment Network (SBEN) (helping you link into peer businesses focused on environment). eqm.org.uk
Cost Savings & Efficiency: Reviewing your activities through the lens of environment often helps you spot inefficiencies — what’s good for the planet can be good for the business. eqm.org.uk
Web & Referral Boost: Your business will appear on the EQM website’s list of award-holders, gaining a backlink which may improve your online visibility and search engine ranking. eqm.org.uk

How the SEQM Process Works

While full process details are on the website, the key steps are:

Register to start your journey: there’s a registration link for businesses in Staffordshire. eqm.org.uk
Application & Self-Assessment: you provide information about your business operations, environmental practices (energy, waste, community etc), customer service.
Assessment & Awarding: If you meet the required standard, you’ll receive the SEQM award.
Use the Mark & Maintain Standards: You use the logo, join the network, showcase your work, and continue to maintain or improve your environmental practices.

Why It Matters for Tourism, Hospitality & Local Businesses in East Staffordshire

Given your role in tourism marketing for East Staffordshire, the SEQM is especially relevant because:

It adds credibility to businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector — showing they care about sustainability and service quality, which is increasingly important to visitors.
It offers a differentiator for local accommodation, attractions, restaurants or venues when promoting them in marketing material (“Award-holding business for environment & service”).
It reinforces your messaging around “sustainable travel” and “quality local experience” — you can highlight award-holders when building itineraries, promoting events or collaborating with local businesses.
It aligns with your drive for sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship in the borough — the mark helps reinforce that commitment amongst partner businesses.

How to Get Started (For a Local Business)

Here’s a suggested path you can share with businesses in East Staffordshire:

Visit the SEQM page and register your interest. eqm.org.uk
Review the criteria and gather evidence of your environmental practices, customer service standards and community engagement.
Submit your application/self-assessment to the SEQM scheme.
If successful, declare your award, use the SEQM logo in your marketing, join SBEN network and share your story.
Use the award to promote your business — in your listing on “Places to Stay” / “Places to Eat” / “Great Outdoors”, use the award logo and mention your commitment to environment & quality to support marketing content.

Wrap-Up

The Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark is a strong badge of honour for businesses who are serious about environment, community and service. For businesses in East Staffordshire especially, it provides a ready way to advance their sustainability credentials, stand out to visitors, and align with the broader destination-brand narrative you are promoting.