Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 27th March 2025 Issue no. 1155
Your industry news - first
The original and best - for over 20 years!
We strongly recommend viewing Cleanzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
 International News
Products The hidden risks of lone worker safety: why safety must be a priority
“Every lone worker can be a moment away from a threat. That's, unfortunately, the harsh reality of modern field services. Yet, many organisations may not fully realise the extent of their responsibility. When a worker is alone, danger isn't distant. It's slipping on an icy pavement. It's falling from a height when no one is around. It's a dark car park in winter.  Applications open for Purus Innovation Award 2025
Chicopee and Sontara exhibit together under new parent company
Sodexo on track to halve its food waste in the UK and Ireland by end of Fiscal Year 2025
Kimberly-Clark Professional’s new technology revolutionises washroom management
Slim Air - Sustainable air freshener from Kennedy Hygiene
Sutter acquires Spanish company Nitida Cleaning & Health
Evonik signs exclusive US distribution agreement with Sea-Land Chemical
Industrial-strength cleaners: HB Trade helps professionals stay legally compliant
France’s Lyreco strengthens UK market position; acquires Zenith Hygiene and Shorrock Trichem
Norovirus essential strategies for prevention and control
“As Winter weather conditions persist across the UK, Norovirus - commonly known as the 'Winter vomiting bug' - continues to impact the country. Recent data from NHS England shows that on average 1,160 patients a day were in hospital with Norovirus during the week beginning 10th February 2025 - a 22% surge on the previous week (948) and more than double the same period last year (509).
Don't worry, help is at hand! This free webinar will help you understand the nuanced realities of adopting sustainable products and help you to take informed decision that are right for your business.
Kimberly-Clark (K-C), has signed a new partnership with Independent Power Producer BNZ and announced the future start of three new virtual solar power purchase agreements (vPPAs) in Italy and Spain. |
Welcome to the Cleanzine
As someone who’s had a keen interest in public toilets for as long as I can remember, I just had to watch the video recorded by Singaporean toilet hygiene guru and World Toilet Association/World Toilet Day founder Jack Sim, in which he talks about his many achievements in several countries while criticising his own National Environment Agency for – as far as I can pick up, virtually ostracising him these days. Digging deeper, I discovered that there’s an issue over a Government initiative to publicly fund privately-owned coffee shops to improve conditions, whereas - reports Jack - everyone else has had to fund the work themselves. The video, which I found on YouTube courtesy of ‘Inconvenient Questions’, has apparently gone viral on social media since it was first shared last month and it’s definitely sparking controversial debate, which I won’t go into here.
As Jack says in the video, he’s been working for free for 27 years to improve public toilets – and not just in Singapore. In China, his efforts have resulted in massive improvements over the past 20 years, in India, he promoted the introduction of 110 million new toilets, in Brazil he raised funds that helped privatise sewage provision which massively improved hygiene provision for ordinary people, and he’s also spearheaded improvements in Africa and Indonesia. That’s quite an achievement, don’t you think?
Jack argues that stricter enforcement - not subsidies – is the way to go if Singapore is to continue to see improvements everywhere. He believes that the answer lies in greater numbers of surprise inspections carried out, along with stronger penalties for those flouting regulations. He also advocates greater use of technology, such as IoT sensors and QR feedback codes, along with the naming and shaming of unhygienic outlets - plus making cleanliness training mandatory for staff.
One thing that’s not been mentioned in any of the related articles/comments I’ve read over the past couple of days, is ‘education’. I know from the Singaporean Toilet Association newsletters I’ve received for decades now that this is a big thing in that neck of the woods and I’ve long argued that we could do with lots more of it here, where growing numbers of people reckon it’s perfectly OK to leave chaos in their wake since somebody else will at some stage be forced to clean it up. As one comment on one of the threads reads: “You can take the person out of the uncivilised location but not the uncivilised behaviour out of the person.” A great observation! And that’s the thing I believe we should all be working on – our behaviour… our attitude… respect for others and our environment… Get that right and everything else becomes so much easier for everyone following in our wake.
 This Week's News
Today’s CPD-certified green marketing masterclass should eliminate ‘greenwashing’
The Green Claims Code has been developed by the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) - the principal competition regulator in the UK. This code sets out principles to help businesses understand whether their claims are truthful, compliant and not misleading. Metsä Group celebrates sustainability successes at the 2025 Sustainability Awards
Metsä Group's tissue paper business, Metsä Tissue, in partnership with the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA), celebrated and recognised the industry's commitment to sustainability last week at its 2025 Sustainability Awards Dinner at The Pelligon in Canary Wharf.
Welcoming approximately 350 guests from more than 100 different organisations, Metsä Tissue's CEO, Sari Pajari-Sederholm, paid tribute to the quality and the quantity of the Awards entries, saying that they represented an ambition - shared with Metsä Tissue, for an industry that operates responsibly "to help to create a positive, lasting impact on the environment".
more  P-Wave's NHS body awareness partnership wins major European marketing award
"It is a real honour to be recognised alongside several strong contenders, for such prestigious Europe-wide awards - and in the important office products sector," says P-Wave brand manager Mark Wintle at Robert Scott. "The other finalists included Essity, Lyreco Group and Pilot corporation, so for a smaller brand like P-Wave to win, demonstrates the power and reach of this important men's health initiative." ISSA announces winners of inaugural Spotless Spaces competition
"The Spotless Spaces competition exemplifies our industry's unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation," says ISSA executive director John Barrett. "These winners set the gold standard for cleanliness and hygiene, creating spaces where health, safety and wellbeing thrive. Their achievements serve as benchmarks for the entire industry."  Cleaning Expo UK 2025 starts tomorrow
Numbering around 70, there are more exhibitors than in previous years – many of whom are said to be offering discounts, along with product/equipment demonstrations and a lively conference. Kimberly-Clark announces first tissue manufacturing site on path to 100% renewable energy
The site will electrify its heating needs as well as source its electricity demand via a portfolio of European power purchase agreements of offsite renewables. The transition is intended to be completed by 2029 latest.  Expert panel concludes single-use products are essential for infection control and cleanliness
The session featured Professor Katie Laird, Professor of Microbiology, head of Infectious Disease Research Group, and expert in both infectious disease and textiles at De Montfort University; Professor Mark Wilcox OBE, an internationally recognised microbiologist and expert in C. difficile infections from NHS England; and Emma Brookes (pictured), head of soft FM and strategy at NHS England.
Manchester-based Ecoveritas is urging firms to invest in their data to avoid overpaying and risking their survival.  Industrial cleaning company scoops facilities management business
Orca Cleaning Group, which moved to a larger unit on Belmont Industrial Estate in Durham after outgrowing its previous one in 2023, purchased Millen Service UK (trading as Millen FM) which will continue to operate under its original name under its new ownership.
The sale, which includes the trade and assets of Bin Cleaned, represents a strategic move for Tidy Green Clean as it continues to focus on delivering high-quality commercial cleaning services across Scotland. At the same time, Turbo Bin Cleaning - a family-run business with bin cleaning at the heart of its operations - will ensure continued service excellence for existing customers while introducing new offerings in the future. The Cleanzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The Cleanzine. If you would like to run a search of the The Cleanzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The Cleanzine:
|
 REQUEST THE CLEANZINE HERE The Cleanzine is broadcast
every Thursday. You may receive it FREE each week by
clicking the link above.  Hospital Hygiene 
Our weekly updated Hospital Hygiene features current developments and product solutions cleaning and hygiene industry manufacturers are coming up with. Read More. Recent UK News
New record figures for the value of the sector
Sky's the limit! New cleaning careers development website launches
Jangro unveils bold new brand identity at London Cleaning Show
SBFM's Matt Chapman wins 'CEO of the Year'
Loo of the Year Awards named 'Corporate Champion' by British Toilet Association
Extended contract for Barking Riverside Development
Sybron looks to the future with management buyout
Sustainability to take centre stage at this year's Cleaning Show
“Sustainability and making sustainable choices are a necessity for organisations today - whether that is through procuring sustainable solutions to minimise their environmental impact or through making the right decisions to ensure sustainable growth through operational effectiveness and organisational efficiencies. Sustainability: regulations matter. CHSA to chair expert panel at the Cleaning Show
"The CHSA is chairing an expert panel at The Cleaning Show from 12.15 - 13.00 next Tuesday, 18th March, to help buyers navigate the challenge of greenwashing and source environmentally-friendly solutions that are effective, affordable and safe to use.
Kärcher UK bolsters leadership team with appointment of new professional sales director
BICSc experts to be keynote speakers to The Cleaning Show
|
You can also follow us on X (Twitter) 
