Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 26th March 2026 Issue no. 1203
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 International News
Products Winners of 2nd Annual Spotless Spaces competition announced
Lucid Bots raises further $20bn to accelerate buildout of US exterior cleaning platform
EscaTEQ to introduce structured escalator cleaning framework at Interclean Amsterdam 2026
Strengthening next-generation workforce technology and AI hiring infrastructure
National Cleaning Week: ‘Celebrating Cleaning Innovation’
The deal extends Clean Cans' reach across Greater Orlando - and, more notably, establishes a repeatable model: independent operators who built their businesses through community trust are choosing Clean Cans as the partner they hand that trust to. Public washroom dilemmas, faux pas and etiquette: what would you do?
To delve deeper into this daily habit, the 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Company, posed a series of questions to US adults and uncovered some interesting findings. (Ed: I wonder if this reflects behaviour in other countries where away-from-home washrooms are commonplace?) Polygiene launches OdorCrunch2.0: next-generation odour capture technology for modern textiles
Clientshare launches Connect to scale customer engagement and sentiment tracking for businesses
Sofidel continues its expansion in the US: $775Mn investment finalised for Inola, Oklahoma
Spanish global waste business Urbaser sells to Blackstone and EQT
SoftBank Robotics America broadens physical AI solutions portfolio
This announcement furthers the future of physical AI solutions for the sector and expands the company’s solutions portfolio with advanced technologies designed to deliver increased efficiency and enterprise value in highly dynamic environments. |
Welcome to the Cleanzine
Surfers Against Sewage’s latest investigation, the results of which were revealed this month, has uncovered something deeply alarming: In 2025, water companies discharged sewage illegally across England - on dry days - for more than 204,000 hours. In case you’re not already aware, when discharges happen without rainfall, the sewage is less diluted and is thus potentially more harmful to people in the water – and, using sickness reports submitted through SAS’s Safer Seas & Rivers Service App, SAS identified 20 cases in 2025 where people reported illness linked to a confirmed dry-day sewage discharge. These reports included children, along with one swimmer who had to take eight days off work due to sickness.
Naturally these figures only take into account experiences of those who were aware of the App and who’d opted to use it to make a sickness report. That I’ve been following SAS since the mid-90s and hadn’t been aware of the App myself, makes me feel that these figures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the harm done to people’s health thanks to these thousands of hours of dry spillages.
Working with journalists at The Times and analysing data obtained through a Freedom of Information request to the Environment Agency, the investigation found that 142 bathing waters experienced 8,477 hours of illegal dry spills last year - the first year water companies were required to submit specific dry spill data to the regulator, giving the clearest picture yet of how often sewage is being discharged illegally in dry weather. The investigation revealed that 105 bathing waters experienced 7,885 hours of illegal dry spills, and that 79% of those locations are actually classified as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ bathing waters!
It's just not good enough, is it?
Discussing the findings, Surfers Against Sewage CEO Giles Bristow said: “Water companies’ brazen disregard for the law is creating a public health emergency right under our noses. This isn’t the delivery of a vital public utility – it’s corporate criminality that is poisoning surfers, swimmers and children who just want to dip in the sea. When will the Government wake up and realise these profit-crazed companies are not fit for purpose?”
The report makes horrifying reading – but there’s more. As well as featuring all the data, useful maps etc., it includes links that will enable you to download the SAS Sewage Alert App to get real-time pollution alerts for your favourite beaches, rivers and lakes and see where sewage discharges are happening across the UK, right now. There’s also a link to a Petition that I’d urge you to sign, so please find out more and get involved.
 This Week's News
Phone hygiene is healthcare's overlooked first line of defence
Healthcare-associated infections continue to challenge hospitals and long-term care settings. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, about one-in-31 US hospital patients has a healthcare-associated infection on any given day, and about one-in-43 nursing home residents does as well. Robert Scott introduces industry-first biodegradable socket mop technology
As Europe's largest mop manufacturer, Robert Scott has long led the way in sustainable design, first reusing waste fabric back in the 40's to manufacture mopheads. Today, the company manufactures 25 million mops a year in the UK. Of these, the cotton-rich fibre is recycled from 100% post-consumer waste, while the Big White fabric is reusing industrial waste.  Sessions to look out for at Interclean Amsterdam 2026
Main Stage: Healthcare, workforce and the future of facilities:  Genesis Biosciences welcomes landmark EU rule change on cleaning products
Genesis Biosciences, whose European technical facility is located in Cardiff, Wales, has created and delivered innovative, environmentally responsible and scientifically validated microbial solutions for over two decades. From every sale to every rescue: Velair to continue to support Mountain Rescue's life-saving work
Launched in January 2025, the initiative sees £1 donated from every Hydra hand dryer sold, helping to support the vital, life-saving work carried out by volunteer mountain rescue teams across England and Wales. After a strong first year of Hydra sales, the programme has already generated a meaningful contribution for the charity, with further donations expected as the campaign continues. MSL extends virucidal testing to help brands strengthen claims
These new methods give brands and manufacturers a clearer, more relevant way to demonstrate virucidal performance, reduce ambiguity, and prepare for future BPR compliance.  Atlas launches Atlas Retail, a specialist integrated partner for retail destinations
Working across shopping centres, retail parks, leisure parks and mixed-use destinations, Atlas Retail delivers cleaning, security and wider site services through a single, integrated operating model. Rather than separate providers working alongside each other, services are planned and managed together on site. 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:
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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
Mrs Buckét makes senior management team changes
BCC 'extremely disappointed' at Apprenticeship defunding - a statement
What the 2026 Statutory Sick Pay changes mean for the cleaning industry
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OCS Ireland named Total FM Service Provider of the Year at FM Awards
Pisys Permit To Work system adopted by major laundry and textile services provider
Atlas Cleaning appoints Issi Salter as growth director
Northwood scoops top sustainability award
Ramon Hygiene mop innovation recognised at FPA Awards
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