New EU leaders join discussion in European Parliament on vital role of hygiene in our lives

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

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

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.

“TCE is an extremely toxic chemical known to cause cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,” says the EPA’s press statement. “TCE also causes damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive organs and fetal heart defects. These risks are present even at very small concentrations. Under today's rule, all uses of TCE will be banned over time (with the vast majority of identified risks eliminated within one year) and safer alternatives are readily available for the majority of uses.
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Betco to acquire environmental management assets from BiOWiSH Technologies

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!

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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Illness impacts your people's ability to work: Are you prepared for the winter months?

Each year, seasonal influenza is responsible for up to 50 million symptomatic cases in the European Union/European Economic Area.
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Disposable aprons come in various colours, lengths and microns

Polyco Healthline has launched a new range of disposable aprons, which come in a selection of shades to match your colour coding protocol and a range of lengths - from standard to extra-long, to ensure that everyone on your team is fully protected. They are available in several standards too, from light duty through to extra heavy duty.

To offer even more flexibility, the aprons can be be supplied either flat packed or on a perforated roll.
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BSCAI welcomes new members

The Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) welcomed 30 new members in the months of October and November - companies who are actively supporting the building service contractor industry.
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ISSA Show North America: another successful event comes to a close

ISSA Show North America, which took place in Las Vegas last week alongside the Building Service Contractors Association International's ‘Contracting Success’ conference, attracted more than 600 exhibiting brands and around 12,000 distributors, building service contractors, facilities service professionals and residential cleaning firms from 75 countries, to share information on products, technology, services and materials that enhance the standards of clean.
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Latest contract cleaning research report projects continued growth through 2030

Research & Market’s latest ‘Contract Cleaning Services Market by Service Type, End-use - Global Forecast 2025-2030’ report reveals that the contract cleaning services market grew from USD 193.30 billion in 2023 to USD 204.23 billion in 2024. It is expected to continue growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 5.76%, reaching USD 286.22 billion by 2030.
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Cleaning airport surfaces every two hours cuts Norovirus infections by 83%

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).

Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, and is responsible for about 685 million cases and 200,000 deaths each year. The virus is primarily transmitted through surfaces and outbreaks during air travel are especially common, due to the large number of public surfaces in airports.
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Christmas decorations found to harbour high levels of biological matter

Whilst many of us may consider putting up the Christmas decorations as a festive and joyful time, new research suggests that it could also be responsible for helping to spread seasonal illnesses.

This research, based on real-world swabbing tests, found that the decorations that many of us bring back out every year could exceed what hygiene experts consider to be within the normal** range of biological contamination by 30%.
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Interclean Shanghai 2024 transforms the Chinese cleaning and hygiene industry with innovation and opportunity

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. 

Following the successful launch of Interclean China in 2021, this year marked its third edition, attracting more than 150 exhibitors, 160 brands and visitors from more than 80 countries. The exhibition covered 6,500+ m2 floorspace and included numerous co-located conferences and seminars, featuring 40+ speakers. 
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Recycled chewing gum helps Northern out of a sticky situation

Northern has installed dedicated chewing gum bins at 13 railway stations across the North West of England.

The specialist bins, which are themselves made from recycled chewing gum, are made by Gumdrop - a pioneering UK-based company that has developed a unique recycling solution for chewing gum waste.
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Sodexo to offer guaranteed interviews to ex- offenders

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.

Applicants with a disclosed criminal conviction who meet the job criteria and pass the required screening will now be guaranteed an interview, giving them a vital opportunity to re-enter the workforce and rebuild their lives.
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Get ready for incoming 'Simpler Recycling' reforms with Jangro

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.

All commercial facilities in England - including healthcare establishments and academic institutions - with more than 10 full-time employees will have to separate a core set of recyclable materials from their general waste at the point of collection for processing.
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Fine for food waste facility as explosion seriously injures two employees

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.
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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

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.
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Steemeasy starter for new business Elite Housekeeping

Elite Housekeeping Group in Cheshire is a fast-growing business employing a team of technicians and when founder and managing director Jodie Hibbert decided to include carpet cleaning in her offer, she turned to Prochem to help pave the way.
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Churchill wins cleaning contract with Merseyrail

Churchill has won a 4.5-year cleaning contract with the commuter rail network Merseyrail following a tender process. The contract began in June and Churchill cleaning operatives are working in all 69 of Merseyrail's stations.
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Use of personal safety app surges by 81% - with good reason!

New research from Mitie and personal safety app supplier Walksafe, shows that 44% of women and 21% of men feel unsafe when walking in the dark, even when making every day journeys - including commuting to and from work.
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HSE's 'Vital Statistics' poster for 2023/24 now available

Each November, the Health & Safety Executive publishes a range of statistics which highlight the scale of key health & safety risks in the UK and compares them to those throughout Europe. A new poster is now available - which, when displayed in a workplace, serves as a reminder to workers about the consequences of poor health & safety in priority risk areas.
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Student laundry business Zube cements partnerships with two North East universities

Newcastle's student laundry operator Zube has kickstarted the new university term with two higher education partnerships as it opens with Newcastle University and Durham University.
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Haringey bites back with £27,000-plus investment to remove street gum

A chewing gum clean-up of streets in Haringey using targeted funds to tackle the problem has proved a success. It follows the council's bid for £27,500 from Chewing Gum Task Force earlier this year.
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Grosvenor retains and expands services across four key Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield destinations

Grosvenor Services has announced the retention of its facilities management contract at Europe's largest shopping centre, Westfield London, marking a significant achievement in its long-standing partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW).
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Recorra invests in AI-powered robotic sorting arm

London and South-East based recycling company Recorra has announced investment in an AI-powered robotic sorting arm for its Essex-based Materials Recovering Facility, developed by UK-based firm Recycleye. Recorra tells us that it is the first commercial-only MRF to use this technology to sort business waste.
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Successful food waste caddy liner trial extended

Caerphilly County Borough Council announced a 12-month trial to provide all residents with free indoor food waste caddy liners in December 2023. Following its success, the initiative will now be extended.
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Loo of the Year Awards 2024: Judges have 'paid a visit' to 1,500-plus washrooms!

More than 1,500 businesses from across the UK have stepped up to have their washrooms and toilet facilities judged by a team of independent inspectors - as part of the 2024 Loo of the Year Awards.
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CHSA's latest White Paper - 'The Evolution & Regulation of Cleaning Chemicals'

The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association has published a White Paper written to help buyers and end users of cleaning chemicals navigate the challenge of sourcing effective, safe and sustainable solutions.
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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

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