Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 14th May 2026 Issue no. 1210
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 International News
Products While everyone else chases AI, real money is still made with a pressure washer…
Danish cleaning industry day gains momentum as digital transformation accelerates
Deadline extended for entries for BICSC Awards 2026
Hako to launch new generation of walk-behind machines
With optimised operation and ergonomics, technical features for greater safety and efficiency, and reduced resource consumption, the Scrubmaster models B35 and B50 will ensure even more comfortable and economical cleaning of medium-sized areas from mid-2026. Northwood relaunches Leonardo Washroom brand
Nilfisk joins Freudenberg following takeover completion
ECHA SEAC on REACH PFAS restrictions consultation explained
Why lone working is one of the cleaning sector's biggest safety blind spots
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Welcome to the Cleanzine
As I've long argued, if a recycling scheme's going to function really well, households and businesses need to know what goes where, in what form, and why. And when I say households and businesses, I mean not just the head honcho, but absolutely everyone in them who's likely to need to bin something. I'm frustrated when regular visitors to my home can't be bothered to follow the recycling rules that have been repeatedly explained to them, so I can only imagine how angry those whose responsibility it is to unload the various recycling bins at the depot must feel when they see the chaos within! As you might imagine, when news of the success of Caerphilly County Borough Council's 'enhanced recycling engagement' programme reached me, I was keen to learn more... Over a 12-week period, recycling advisors worked with households as part of the first phase of the Welsh Council's expanded 'Section 46' process, (legislation that requires residents to dispose of waste in the correct bins). This combined monitoring of general waste bins with direct engagement, offering advice and support to help residents recycle more effectively. Some 3,172 properties were monitored, with a significant reduction in the number of general waste bins containing recyclable materials. Across five monitoring weeks, contamination levels steadily fell from 494 bins in the first week to just 63 by week five. What a brilliant result!
Food waste was identified as the most common recyclable material incorrectly dumped in general waste bins (that doesn't surprise me, since it's messy and takes the most effort) followed by cardboard and plastic bottles. The advisors focused on helping people understand how to use food waste and recycling services correctly, resulting in sustained improvements across the monitored areas. Where issues persisted, further engagement was carried out, including the use of statutory notices. In total, 10 legal notices were issued, all of which were successfully resolved through compliance, meaning that Fixed Penalty Notices weren't required in any of the cases. This continues to demonstrate the Council's commitment to education and support first, with enforcement used only as a last resort - which is how it should be, in my view. Building on this progress, the programme will in future include a further 5,723 properties across several other communities. The council, quite rightly, is extremely encouraged by the results that have been achieved, arguing that they clearly show that residents want to do the right thing, and that the right support and guidance helps ensure that recyclable materials go into the correct bins. I do hope the scheme's rolled out all over, so I can tell my lazy visitors that if I get a Fixed Penalty Notice as a result of their reticence to do the right thing, payment will be down to them or they won't be returning!
 This Week's News
SOAPBOX: Mental Health Awareness Week
“Mental Health Awareness Week, (11th - 17th May) is an important reminder that mental health affects every industry - including cleaning and facilities management. The cleaning sector is often physically demanding, emotionally draining, and - at times, isolating. Many operatives work unsociable hours, travel long distances, work alone and carry out essential tasks without recognition from the people around them. Electronics industry's throwaway problem - and the British firm working to solve it
The result: a mounting environmental crisis, characterised by spiralling electronic waste, fragile supply chains and dependence on resource-intensive mining. Against this backdrop, a British company has opened the world's first facility dedicated not to recycling electronics for raw materials, but to recovering and reusing the components themselves. Phs launches sustainable urinal floor mat to enhance washroom hygiene
Phs Group has unveiled the latest addition to its sustainable floorcare range - the Urinal Floor Mat; an innovative solution designed to improve hygiene standards in busy washrooms. Developed specifically for high-traffic environments, the Urinal Floor Mat neutralises odours, reduces splashback and supports businesses in meeting their ESG commitments. As with all products in the company’s floorcare range, sustainability is central to its design, combining high performance with measurable environmental benefits.  Genesis Biosciences strengthens biotech export presence with sustainable global reach
The company is setting new standards in sustainable biotech solutions for industries worldwide, from marine and wastewater treatment to feminine hygiene, agriculture and fast-moving consumer goods with operations spanning the US, UK and continental Europe.  US Triangle Ecycling expands free corporate laptop pickup nationwide
Its white-glove logistics network model has been tested and proven with more than 100 pickups nationwide in the past year. New partnership with Johans Städmaskiner strengthens Tennant’s Swedish presence
Two Gwinnett County departments team up for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
On Saturday, 13th June, from 08:00 to noon, representatives from Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources will gather with dozens of volunteers at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville to help residents rid their homes of household hazardous waste (HHW). Work at height charity launches No Falls Week 2026
Following the success of the previous campaigns, which have so far seen over 4,000 organisations sign up to take part, No Falls Week returns to raise awareness about the importance of safe working at height, prevent falls and ensure everyone who works at height comes down safely – and when they plan to do so! Curtain rises on the second act
The contract covers cleaning services across a diverse and evolving estate, including public-facing areas such as the theatre auditorium, restaurant, bar, coffee shop and washrooms, as well as private and operational spaces including a new green room, educational facilities and a dedicated events floor. Balcony areas across multiple levels require a sensitive and flexible approach to service delivery. 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 founder & CEO Rachael Flanagan wins IoD Director of the Year Award
New chair appointed to lead CHSA into next phase
SOAPBOX: call for the wider use of reusable gloves in cleaning & FM
SBFM ranked third in Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 list
OCS extends and expands soft services partnership with British Land
Leadership changes strengthen alignment across Ramon Hygiene and EGL Group
Ramon Hygiene has been part of the EGL group since its acquisition in 2015, a move that has supported the company's position as a leading UK manufacturer of traditional cleaning products, supplying distributors across the professional cleaning and janitorial sectors. Prepare for Euro van tachograph deadline, advises Logistics UK
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