Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 13th October 2011 Issue no. 491
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International News
Products A new study published in the September 2011 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (vol. 39 No. 7 pps 555-559) has confirmed that soft surface textiles are significant sources of bacterial contamination in healthcare settings, with 63% of physician and nurse uniforms testing positive for pathogenic organisms, including those that are multi-drug resistant (11%). The study was conducted by the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. It looked at 238 samples from 135 of its hospital personnel [60 (45%) physicians and 75 (55%) nurses]. WEEE Directive recast negotiations sparking disagreements The European Parliament and the 27 EU member states are set for difficult negotiations over the recast of the bloc's electronic waste directive as MEPs insist on ambitious targets for collecting and recycling discarded fridges, phones and other e-waste than the member states can accept, reports EurActiv. Study confirms 'no link' between use of antibacterial soaps and antibiotic resistance Newly published research reaffirms that the use of antibacterial wash products does not contribute to antibiotic or antibacterial resistance, confirming previous research that showcased similar findings. |
Welcome to the
Cleanzine - the original Cleaning & Hygiene industry e-news Read by industry professionals in 148 countries worldwide! As regular readers of Cleanzine can imagine, I was horrified to learn that the UK Government is to invest £250 million over the next two and a half years, into a scheme that will encourage local authorities to re-establish weekly collections of our general household rubbish. More than half of all councils have switched to fortnightly collections in recent years, affecting more than 18million people. I have applauded this move, believing that it would force people to recycle more - a fact that has been proven dramatically in many cases. John, on the other hand, has hated it. While my council has provided what has become an excellent doorstep recycling collection service, his has fallen short. This has meant that either he has to waste time and pollute the environment by taking to the dump the recyclables that aren't collected, or risk his waste bin being so full at the end of the fortnight that his council refuses to collect it (although to be fair this hasn't happened to date). If John's experience is the norm, rather than unusual, I'm not surprised that so many householders deplore fortnightly collections. But going back to weekly collections isn't the answer (and what will our masters in the European Commission say?). We don't have the money to pay for the service and nor do we have the space in landfill to put all the recyclables that will end up in the general waste as a result. Yours,
  This Week's News
Survey finding shifts in green attitudes and behaviours Yesterday, SC Johnson and GfK Roper Consulting released survey findings on American consumer green attitudes and behaviours, painting a compelling picture of the evolution of consumer interests and actions over the last two decades. Of course the attitudes we have as consumers affects the way we think and behave at work, so this survey is worth examining. ISSA aims to change the way the world views cleaning ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is launching a multi-faceted initiative to help its members gain greater acceptance of the positive impact of cleaning and to assist them in navigating the ongoing challenges facing the industry. The intention is to reflect the direction ISSA members are taking each day to provide state-of-the-art cleaning processes and products and protect public health. This focus is reflected in a range of new services as well as ISSA's new logo and tagline - 'Advancing Clean. Driving Innovation'. New approach to fighting hospital superbugs - with friendly bacteria
Kimberly-Clark introduces patient education programme for HAI prevention Following research which revealed that 56% of respondents were not very familiar or not at all familiar with Healthcare-Associated Infections and their causes, Kimberly-Clark has this week announced a new programme to educate patients about HAI's and steps they can take to aid in their prevention. Safe Contractor award for CK Group
Soapbox: Food Manufacturing Cleaning Companies are Gangmasters By David Camp from the Association of Labour Providers The Association of Labour Providers is the specialist trade association offering support and expert advice to organisations that provide and use workers within the food, agricultural and other GLA regulated sectors. Its members also include industrial labour providers. Established in 2004, the ALP's goal is to improve the standard of labour provision across industries, whilst supporting the need for an ethically managed, cost effective and flexible labour force. MITIE wins inaugural Co-operative Food Award MITIE has won an award at the inaugural Co-operative Food Property Awards Charity Dinner. The award is Supplier of the Year in the Environmental, Cleaning and Waste category and is in recognition of MITIE's efforts in working for Co-operative Food across the country. Vileda Professional launches new website Vileda Professional has announced the launch of its new website which went live earlier this month. The new site provides comprehensive product information on the complete range of solutions available from Vileda Professional in the UK and around the world, as well as a useful 'Consult the Experts' section designed to help users identify the best cleaning system for them. Environmentally responsible lamp recycling initiative now available in Canada Furthering their commitment to lamp recycling and to protecting the environment, Veolia ES Technical Solutions, the hazardous waste division of Veolia Environmental Services North America (VESNA) and Osram Sylvania have anounced the expansion of their joint online programme to offer RecyclePak recycling kits into Canada. We have mail: Bill Bryson, President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England
Dear Jan, I love travelling by train. Even now, the sensation of hurtling along at 125 miles per hour on the outside whilst experiencing comfort and an impressively smooth ride on the inside delights me. When I can forget about how much my ticket cost and when I'm fortunate enough to be sharing a carriage with people who realise that I have no interest in hearing about the tedious nature of their thoughts and lives from five rows away, then I enjoy it even more. Karcher Professional Cleaning Roadshow a resounding success!
Chemical-free floor stripping in just one pass
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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
After a few weeks of planning, filming and creative editing, Brightwell has launched its first product demonstration video. The video details the technical aspects of Modular hand care dispenser, showing you all the capabilities and opportunities of the system. It is available on Brightwell's newly launched Youtube channel, which will soon also feature a demonstration video of the SuperC dilution system: T: +44 (0)1273 513566 A MITIE partnership with Essex County Council Essex County Council has announced that MITIE Group has been selected as the preferred partner for delivering a transformational contract which includes facilities and property management as well as energy services. Upset stomachs cost UK 11 million working days a year Nearly 17 million people suffer from stomach upsets in the UK every year, leading to about 11 million lost working days, new research published by the Food Standards Agency has found. BICSc honours UK cleaning industry achievements Individuals and companies working within the UK's cleaning industry and those providing support services, were honoured at the British Institute of Cleaning Science Annual Awards last Thursday, at an event that also celebrated the Institute's 50th anniversary. Deb celebrates with HRH The Princess Royal
The British Toilet Association's Annual Conference provides once a year opportunity for providers of publicly accessible toilets to network with product and service suppliers, as well as user group representatives, to discuss best practice and learn what can and is being done to improve toilets throughout the UK. It also provides an ideal opportunity to recognise the cutting edge of washroom product development and service provision. This year's Conference, which was held in Stratford on Avon last Wednesday, provided some real solutions. Employers in FM and cleaning: funding offer for technical certificates Government funding is available for facilities management and cleaning employers to put staff through training for the following technical certificates: * Cleaning Principles Technical certificates are specialist courses that link to key components of a set job role. UK's first absorbent hygiene product recycling plant opens for business
New research highlights potential corrosive impact of some chlorine-based disinfectants New research has highlighted the potential corrosive damage to medical devices caused by ongoing exposure to some chlorine-based disinfectants. This could result in infection risk as well as expense in replacing damaged equipment, according to Synergy Health, which commissioned the laboratory tests. |
