* Cleanzine_logo_3a.jpgCleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 16th January 2025 Issue no. 1145

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International News
Products

Nominations open for Cintas 12th Annual Custodian of the Year Contest

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Cintas has launched its 12th annual Custodian of the Year contest, which honours exceptional school custodians from throughout the US. From now through February 7th, the public can submit their custodian nominations at www.custodianoftheyear.com
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Survey results show significant gap in risk preparedness

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Risk resilience has been revealed as a significant operational gap for businesses when it comes to preparedness for a major disruption or incident, according to a new survey from global risk management business, Healix.
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Global economic update: shedding light on industry's impact at 2025 ACI Convention

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During the upcoming American Cleaning Institute’s Industry Convention, Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist, Economic Outlook Group and well-known author, will deliver a comprehensive update on the global economy, offering insights into current trends, risks and opportunities.
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Betco celebrates 75 years of excellence: decades of progress and a vision for the future

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Speciality chemical and equipment manufacturer Betco Corporation is proud to announce its 75th anniversary, marking a significant milestone as a family-owned and operated leader in the chemicals manufacturing industry.
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Banking on success: BNP Paribas selects Sodexo as UK IFM partner

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Sodexo UK & Ireland has been selected by international bank BNP Paribas SA's London branch as the sole IFM services partner for four sites, moving from multiple providers delivering single services to a fully integrated approach to FM services.
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Cleaning airport surfaces every two hours cuts Norovirus infections by 83%

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At airports, frequently disinfecting surfaces, mask-wearing and the use of antimicrobial surface coatings can all help prevent the spread of Norovirus, according to a new study by Nan Zhang of the Beijing University of Technology in Beijing and colleagues, (published this month in the open-access journal PLOS Computational Biology).
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Prioritising sustainability through innovative cleaning equipment design

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The UK's cleaning sector is at a critical turning point - with sustainability and user experience now more important than ever. Ian Buckle, head of brand and design at Nilfisk, explores how a fresh approach to cleaning equipment design can help cleaning companies drive sustainability and efficiency, all the while keeping staff happy…
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Interclean Shanghai 2024 transforms the Chinese cleaning and hygiene industry with innovation and opportunity

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The Interclean Shanghai 2024 trade show, held from 11 – 13 December at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, has been called an outstanding success! Industry professionals gathered in China’s business and economic hub from far and wide, all eager to tap into the many lucrative opportunities for succeeding in the rapidly evolving Chinese market. 
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New EU leaders join discussion in European Parliament on vital role of hygiene in our lives

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A.I.S.E., representing the cleaning, disinfecting and maintenance products industry, hosted a lunchtime discussion in the European Parliament last week, highlighting the importance of not taking cleanliness and hygiene for granted. The event was a collaboration with The Parliament Magazine and was hosted by MEP Maria Grapini (S&D, Romania), vice-chair of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee.
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Breakthrough antimicrobial technology with unrivalled efficacy poised to revolutionise global health policy

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Primel, known for providing innovative infection prevention infrastructure, has announced impressive results from a first-of-its-kind clinical trial at Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust of its Primel Active Hand Shield (PAHS) technology.
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EPA bans all uses of TCE and many uses of PCE, worker protections brought in

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The US Environmental Protection Agency has finalised the latest risk management rules for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the bipartisan 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) amendments, marking another major milestone for chemical safety after decades of inadequate protections and serious delays.
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Betco to acquire environmental management assets from BiOWiSH Technologies

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Speciality chemical and equipment manufacturer Betco Corporation has entered into a binding acquisition agreement for key environmental management intellectual property and clients from BiOWiSH Technologies, serving the hydrocarbon remediation, odour control, waste management, surface and wastewater treatment industries.
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Introducing Truekleen Protecto-Shine!

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A new plant-based multi surface cleaner and polish designed to provide a brilliant shine while being gentle on the environment, Truekleen Protecto-Shine is formulated with natural and biodegradable ingredients which are free from harsh chemicals, making it safe to use around children, pets and food surfaces.
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Welcome to the Cleanzine

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Going back to my comment last week about how difficult it is to ‘switch off’ from work when supposedly on a break from it, I got chatting to a builder over Christmas who was helping out a vulnerable elderly neighbour I was visiting. I learned that as well as running his own building company, he uses his skills to help support vulnerable local people on behalf of a national charity. He’d done a great job for my neighbour and as he was leaving was about to load a broken plastic toilet seat and lid, other hard plastics, waste cardboard & some plastic packaging into his van. Knowing that, as a van driver, he’d be charged a fee when taking everything to the local civic amenity tip despite some of it resulting from his charity work, I suggested he leave this lot for me to recycle on his behalf. 
  
In the ensuing conversation I learned that once again the system’s changed locally and loads being dumped by van drivers are no longer charged by weight. Instead, there’s a £120 charge per visit - however little rubbish there may be, which means that the abundance of packaging that seems to envelop everything these days, and which will quickly fill a van, is very costly to recycle. This flat fee per visit is on top of the waste removal licence fee, which many tradespeople have to renew every three years. 
  
A discussion on illegal dumping ensued. He told me about competitors who regularly dump truckloads of waste in a quiet road near a junction of the M25 near us. He agreed that there’s simply no excuse for this type of behaviour and ventured that to ensure we all dispose of building and other waste responsibly, our councils have to make it easier and cheaper, rather than more difficult and more expensive, for us to do so. I told him that I’ve been saying the same for years, and that a particular bugbear of mine is that these tips are often now closed a couple of days a week, with shorter opening hours on the days they're operational - creating difficulties for those who go out to work and leading to longer queues, too. We agreed that while some councils aren’t actually encouraging the illegal dumping of waste, they’re making it far easier for the less upstanding citizens amongst us, to shrug our shoulders and say: “To hell with it”. 
  
With the costs of clearing up what irresponsible residents and tradespeople have dumped, and the dangers to local folk and wildlife posed by dumped waste which may be contaminated with broken glass and other sharp objects, toxic fluids etc., the system’s ripe for another change, don’t you think?
 

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Yours,

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Jan Hobbs


This Week's News

New Year - New Opportunities

 … at OspreyDeepclean, one of the world’s leading providers of industrial and commercial dry-steam technologies


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We are looking for an experienced Sales Professional with experience in the Food Manufacturing, Hospitality and HealthCare sectors.

Ideally based in the South of England, the candidate will have excellent communication and networking skills to identify client leads and grow sales.

Proven track record of account management for both new and existing clients with a wealth of knowledge and personal contacts within these industries?  Then please contact Thomas Stuecken at [email protected] for more information.


Cleaning industry resilient and committed to innovation despite persistent challenges, new research reveals…

* cleaning-sector.jpegDespite persisting economic challenges, the cleaning sector continues to demonstrate confidence and a firm focus on sustainable innovation, according to new research from cleaning product manufacturer and distributor Robert Scott.

More than 70% of the cleaning professionals surveyed in the research stated that the rising cost of doing business had the greatest impact on their operations in 2024, with almost 90% believing it will remain a significant factor in 2025. This points to a more sustained challenge than was originally anticipated, given that only a third of cleaning businesses had previously predicted price increases over 2024.
more


Metsä Group announces shortlist for 2025 Sustainability Awards

* Metsa-Cutty-Sark.jpgMetsä Group's tissue paper business, Metsä Tissue, in partnership with the Cleaning & Support Services Association, has announced the shortlist for its 2025 Sustainability Awards. With an exceptional 91 entries received from 46 companies, nominations were submitted across all five categories and all were automatically entered into the Judges' Choice Awards.

After months of careful deliberation by the judging panel, the shortlist for the three best entries in each specific Award category, in alphabetical order, are as follows:
more



Cleaning Show 2025 to highlight innovations leading the future of cleaning

* Cleaning-Show-2025-innovations.jpegThe Cleaning Show, the UK's largest cleaning and hygiene event, will return to the ExCeL London from 18-20 March 2025, showcasing the latest innovations that are shaping the future of the cleaning sector.

With over 130 exhibitors offering solutions to sectors such as facilities management, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and contract cleaning, the show will provide visitors with a first-hand look at the latest innovations in cleaning technology, sustainability, and business management.
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Sustainability reporting by major organisations has more than doubled since 1999

* Sustainability-reporting.jpgA new study by KPMG, which provides financial and environmental insights for major organisations around the globe, examined the sustainability reporting of 5,800 organisations worldwide. Among their recent findings were:

* Sustainability reporting is now standard practice: Nearly all the world's top 250 companies, and the majority of the top 100 companies in each country or region, now regularly publish sustainability reports
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International Cleaning Week 2025 set to honour cleaning professionals around the world

* International-Cleaning-Week-2025.jpegInternational Cleaning Week takes place 23rd - 29th March, 2025. The week-long event hosted by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, introduces innovative new resources to empower cleaning-industry professionals globally.

For five consecutive years, ISSA has hosted this celebration at the end of March. This year, ISSA will expand engagement opportunities by featuring new resources designed to showcase the cleaning industry's critical role in protecting public health and boosting economic impact.
more


CHSA: 2024 Scheme Performance announced

* CHSA-2024-Scheme-Performance.jpegThe Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association completed 89 audits of its manufacturing members and 52 audits of its distributor members in 2024. Members achieved high levels of compliance, guaranteeing 'what's on the box is what's in the box'.

Conducting the audits, the Independent Inspector checked over 1,700 labels and 1,000 products across all the Association’s Manufacturing Schemes. Within the Distributor Scheme approximately 31,250 products from Accredited Manufacturers and over 4,000 products from non-accredited manufacturers were checked. The latter were classified as compliant with the relevant scheme at the time of audit.
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A.I.S.E. invited to open inspiring & sustainable SME HQ

* AISE-SME.jpegIn an inspiring opening ceremony on 10th January, Alexis Van Maercke, director general of A.I.S.E. (the Brussels-based European detergents & maintenance products industry association) had the honour of speaking at the inauguration of the new Spectro headquarters, in Oss, The Netherlands.

Spectro has a proud 60-year history since this family-run company was established in 1963 manufacturing disinfectant products and has grown today into a leading supplier of cleaning, disinfecting and maintenance products for applications in professional cleaning, food hygiene and vehicle care.
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North West expansion as Teesside firm makes second acquisition in two years

* JANGRO-MEMBER-expansion.jpegTeesside-based Caswells Group has made its second acquisition in two years, purchasing Macclesfield-based Cutler Cleaning for a six-figure sum.

Founded in 1962, Caswells Group has spent over 50 years supplying businesses across the country with PPE, janitorial, safety and hose/hydraulic supplies, and has now acquired Cutlers which was founded in 1982, for £1.6million - retaining all 25 of its staff.
more


OCS enhances GKN Aerospace offering

* OCS-GKN-Aerospace.jpegOCS has announced the expansion its long-standing partnership with GKN - a global leader in aerospace manufacturing, into a comprehensive TFM contract. This significant development marks a new chapter in a relationship that began in 2019, initially focused on providing soft services such as cleaning and security.

OCS has expanded its service offerings to GKN throughout the years, recently introducing catering including the addition of three-year technical services.
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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.

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How to contact us at The Cleanzine:

Jan Hobbs
Publishing Editor
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07980 288 373

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John Austen
Publishing Director
Media & Communications
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07766 707 888
 
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Hospital Hygiene

Hospial Corridor

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

The Cleaning Show 2025 to highlight innovations leading the future of cleaning

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The Cleaning Show, the UK's largest cleaning & hygiene event, will return to the ExCeL London from 18th – 20th March 2025, showcasing the latest innovations that are shaping the future of the cleaning sector.
more


TV presenter Jules Hudson steps up to celebrate Britain's best loos!

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TV presenter Jules Hudson will be supporting the 2024 Loo of the Year Awards which take place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull next week.
more


Co Antrim man turns unemployment into thriving cleaning business with Enterprise support

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After months out of work, Co Antrim man Darren Crawford has turned his experience in hospitality cleaning into a successful business, building a thriving company that has already secured major contracts, thanks to Enterprise support.
more


Prochem Europe granted Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty The King

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Hearty congratulations to cleaning technology and solutions manufacturer, Prochem Europe, for receiving the Grant of a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty The King for the supply of carpet cleaning products.

Prochem has held a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II since 2012.
more


NHS infrastructure crisis post PFI risks creating two-tier hospital system, academic warns

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A combination of continued NHS underfunding, poorly maintained infrastructure and increasing numbers of patients risks creating a two-tier hospital system in England, a leading financial expert has warned.
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Sustainable alliance: Falkirk Council and Keenan Recycling strive for greener future

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Falkirk Council and Keenan Recycling have formed a successful partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental sustainability.
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Veolia and Westminster ring in New Year with highest ever recycling rate for special events

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Veolia Westminster celebrated a fantastic end to the year with a 61% recycling rate for special events in 2024, by using a fresh approach to large-scale clean ups which maximises recycling capture whilst swiftly returning streets to a high standard of cleanliness.
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Recycled chewing gum helps Northern out of a sticky situation

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Northern has installed dedicated chewing gum bins at 13 railway stations across the North West of England.
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Sodexo to offer guaranteed interviews to ex- offenders

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Sodexo, which employs more than 30,000 people in the UK and Ireland, has announced a significant milestone in its commitment to social mobility as part of its Starting Fresh programme, by introducing guaranteed job interviews for people with criminal convictions.
more


Get ready for incoming 'Simpler Recycling' reforms with Jangro

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With 'Simpler Recycling' reforms taking effect on 31st March 2025, businesses should prepare now to meet the new policy requirements, urges Jangro. The UK & Europe's largest network of independent janitorial and cleaning distributors is supporting businesses in their preparation with a range of tailored, innovative products.
more


Fine for food waste facility as explosion seriously injures two employees

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A company which produces electricity from food waste by anaerobic digestion, has been fined more than £300,000 after an explosion caused two employees to suffer life changing injuries. The 11-metre high metal tank the two men were working on was projected high into the air before crashing to the ground nine seconds later.
more


Simpler Recycling in England: policy update

The UK Government recently issued a policy statement that aims to deliver ‘Simpler Recycling’ in England, subject to spending review outcomes. The idea is to facilitate consistent, more streamlined collections from all households, businesses and relevant non-domestic premises, such as schools and hospitals.
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Sodexo strives to prevent prison leavers from lagging behind in the world of work

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Last week, Carolyn Harris MP, Member of Parliament for Neath & Swansea East, Wales, hosted a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons. Organised together with Sodexo UK & Ireland and The Purpose Coalition, the event highlighted the transformative potential of hiring ex-offenders and how businesses can drive greater employment opportunities for this untapped talent pool.
more


Events & Exhibitions

American Cleaning Institute Industry Convention,
27-31st January 2025
Orlando, Florida
USA

Website

London Cleaning Show
18-20th March 2025
ExCel London
Website

ISSA Pulire 2025
27-29th May 2025
Rho Fiera Milano
Italy

Website

Hygienalia
4-6th November 2025
Valencia
Spain

Website

ISSA Show North America
10-13th November 2025
Las Vegas
Website


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