ABOUT

Green Oil

Green Oil: The World's greenest bicycle maintenance products

Green Oil was created a result of a mountain bike ride through the River Quaggy. And Simon Nash it's founder not being able to find a biodegradable lubricant. Other lubes said 'Dangerous for the Environment' on the bottle. So Simon created his own whilst at Southampton University.

Watch the full story here:

PTFE and Petrochemicals go into the environment via bicycles every year

PTFE and Petrochemicals go into the environment via bicycles every year. Green Oil seeks to stop this. With plant based biodegradable formulas. The original Green Oil chain lube was created after a ride through the river Quaggy near Elmstead Woods- and a failed search to find a petrochemical free lubricant. Simon created the Green Oil formula in his last year at University, and through testing in Lords Wood Southampton, it worked. Many big corporations use PTFE in their lubes. PTFE makes a carcinogen in its production, and does not biodegrade. PTFE lubes often misleadingly claim their formulas are biodegradable despite this. Green Oil UK Ltd makes the only genuinely green range of bicycle maintenance fluids. Green Oil has been a commercial partner of Friends of the Earth and our formulas work well. Green Oil chain lube gives in excess of 125 miles between applications. That's a performance beating many toxic chain lubes.

Green Oil UK is rider owned and run

Based in Bermondsey, the Green Oil UK is owned by Simon Nash who enjoys cycling every day, and weekend trips away.

Green Oil was created, because nothing similar was available

Simon Nash, the company founder was riding his bike through the river Quaggy, near Elmstead Woods in Bromley. He realized his chain was in the water, and lots of rides involve a river crossing. Looking for an alternative to a petrochemical polluting lube, nothing was available.

Most brands available at the time were imported

And didn't even bother to have recycling information on. Many had the 'Dangerous for the Environment' dead fish and tree logo on. 'No one should make lube like this' he thought. Of course, every fluid used on your bike ends up in the environment. PTFE accumulates in the food chain, and petrochemicals pollute rivers and wildlife, so what's in your chain lube is important.

In his last year at University, Green Oil was developed

It utilized only plant based, and sustainably sourced ingredients rather than petrochemicals. Recycling information was clear, and sustainability incorporated from the beginning. The first bottle sold to the public was to a man in Trafalgar Square, London as cyclists gathered to watch the Tour de France, which in 2007 started in London.

Some Awards we're proud to have won:

Bromley Environment Award

A proud achievement back in 2008, the Award was presented by Sian Lloyd, the TV weather presenter on ITV. Curiously, a co-winner was a teacher from Simon's school, who helped turn some derelict land from a car park into a nice garden in Widmore Green, Bromley. The trophy is made from recycled glass. It was presented by Bromley Council. The council must be also thanked for Bromley's excellent recycling scheme.

Future 100 Award

This award recognizes companies that could be the future FTSE 100. Whilst we don't plan on going public to risk being bought out like Ben&Jerry's, or the Body Shop, the award was most appreciated. Picture shows Simon Nash and Sian Lloyd at the Bromley Environment Awards.

Green Halo Award

This award was given at the UK Aware show because we had the greenest stand. UK Aware is an environment show, so this was really great to get. We use recycled wood for our display racks, our table, and also only use banners now from Greenhouse Graphics - they use natural fibers and ink, rather than kinky let polluting PVC! Our genuine passion came through with this award.

Ecovate Green Business Innovator Lean Manufacturing (runner up)

This Award was based on supply chain management. The trophy was really cool, made from reclaimed cogs from watches and wire. It was shaped like a food on a toe, to represent our low environmental footprint.

'Turned an idea into a success story'

This was an accolade really rather than an award, but Green Oil was featured on the BBC Breakfast News. Bill Turnbull, the presenter said "Simon has turned an idea idea into a success story". A great privilege to have that said on the national news.

Bike Biz Rising Star award 2010

Green Oil UK had just appointed a distributor and things were on the up. An expanded range and a scale up to product production in Wales, Green Oil was unstoppable. All from a company that started in a log cabin in Kent!

Award Bromley Business Award for Sustainability

Bromley Best Business for Sustainability 2011

These awards were organized by South London Business. Green Oil UK was praised for its approach to sustainability. 'Sustainability' refers to the UN's definition of sustainable development - 'Meeting the needs of current generations, without inhibiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs'. Since this time, the word 'sustainable' has been hijacked in the media as a phrase for short term economic growth for the next 5 years - like hardwood furniture companies and road expansion, which only really serve the current generation if that, relying on fossil fuels, destruction of forests. We were really pleased and honored to win this award for genuine sustainability.

Bromley Business of the Year 2011

It was a great honor to win Best Business for Sustainability, but then at the end of the evening, a special award was announced, and Green Oil UK Ltd was crowned 'Bromley Business of the Year 2011'. We were chuffed, and thanks to everyone at South London Business for running the awards. This Award is on the right behind the Sustainability Award.

UK Green Apple Award Products Category, Gold Winner 2012

Awarded in the ceremony held in the UK Parliament, and honor to win in 2012.

PEA Awards (runner up)

We were in the top 3 for the PEA Awards, a close call and no prize, but a great event to be involved with.

The Guardian Sustainable Business Awards

A Finalist, we lost out to BT!

Peace and Environment Award 2017 Travel Winner!

Proud to win a PEA Award, by MyGreenPod the organization created by green superstar Jarvis Smith!

Top

Copyright 2023. Green Oil UK Limited. All Rights Reserved. Registered Office: Green Oil UK Limited, Unit CC.106, Cocoa Studios, The Biscuit Factory, 100 Drummond Road, Bermondsey, Southwark, London, SE16 4FA, England, United Kingdom. Registered in England and Wales, No. 6470586. VAT: 9806 21319. Instagam us @GreenOilUK. Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/BicycleOil Product images from this site may be used for use in selling our products.

Home » Contact » About » Catalog » Privacy » Reasons to be happy