Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 31st January 2013 Issue no. 555
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The original and best - for over 20 years!
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  International News
Products REACH regs remain 'Elephant in the Room' for industry as fears grow over awareness - EEF survey Britain's manufacturers are being urged to get to grips with the requirements of a European Directive on the restriction or banning of certain hazardous substances, or face the prospect of unlimited fines or even prison through a failure to comply. |
Welcome to the
Cleanzine - the original Cleaning & Hygiene industry e-news Read by industry professionals in 148 countries worldwide! When I started school, grown-ups used to joke about how I needed to learn my ‘Three Rs’, (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic) but these days any mention of the Three Rs will likely conjure up a different message: ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’. This is the 555th issue of Cleanzine and if you've read even a small number of our past issues, you’ll be aware of my passion for this new ‘Three Rs’ mantra. While I refill and reuse 500ml drinks bottles, over the years I’ve committed hundreds of two litre bottles to the local recycling facility and have often wondered what they were going to be made into… I knew I wasn’t being eco-friendly buying drinks in plastic bottles but took some comfort in knowing that they would at least be put to good use after I’d finished with them – despite the environment-damaging process employed to recycle them. My guilty conscience was appeased recently when researching the best way to top up the insulation in my loft and I discovered that one of the cheapest insulation rolls – and also one of the most effective as it had a higher thermal rating than anything else available – was made out of recycled plastic bottles. And it was a kind of double whammy too as the insulation prevents loss of heat from my home and thus reduces my negative impact on the environment! The product was easy to fit, did not require us to wear any protective clothing and as the recent snow remained on my roof long after it had melted on my neighbours’ roof, I know it’s doing the job. I’ve lost more than a few minutes’ sleep though, wondering whether any of the bottles that I, personally, have recycled, are now part of that blanket of insulation helping keep my home warm! Either way I feel I’ve achieved something – but not quite as much as Unilever, which announced last week that in 18 of the countries in which it manufactures, it does not send any waste at all to landfill. If you missed the story in last week’s issue and want to see how the company did it, you can access it here: zero_waste_to_landfill_commitment Zero waste – now that really is an achievement!
Yours,
    This Week's News
Ashkin sees 2013 as 'tipping point' for sustainability and the cleaning industry
Restoration Industry Association files suit against Thermapure in Federal Court The Restoration Industry Association in the US has filed suit in Federal Court in the Western District of Washington State against Thermapure and it has released the following statement: VLA Healthcare removes Sharps Terminator from sale in the UK and Germany
The company is committed to supplying high quality products and services and as such, is working with other manufacturers to develop alternative solutions to Sharps Terminator. Cleaning industry welcomes wider support for the living wage The British Cleaning Council says it is delighted to see increasing support for the Living Wage. Advocates of the policy now include Jeremy Warner, assistant editor of The Daily Telegraph, one of Britain's leading business and economics commentators. The living wage campaign, which has been vocally supported by the BCC since its inception, supports paying workers a wage calculated to the basic cost of living in the UK. Kimberly-Clark Professional collaborates with Disney on Healthy Schools Project
FMA Certificate accredited by RICS The Facilities Management Association has announced that the FMA Certificate will now officially be recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. "This is an extremely exciting partnership for us and our industry," says the FMAs Chris Hoar. "The move will present the opportunity for those who have successfully completed the FMA Certificate, to gain direct entry to the RICS Associate grade of membership." We have mail: Derrick Blunden responds to last week's leader on the EU Dear Jan Thank you for your wise words. When I voted for Britain to join the European Economic Community in 1975 I was told and believed that I had agreed to the UK joining a free trade area. I have never agreed to give the rights and responsibilities for non trade powers to any other entity. New contactless soap dispensers from Kennedy: 'Savona Ellipse Auto'
Hoover Commercial manufacturer in North America to invest in innovation The maker of America's vacuuming brands Hoover Commercial, Hoover, Dirt Devil and Royal announced last week plans to significantly increase the investment in engineering, innovation and design in the US. TTi Floor Care, based in Ohio, plans to hire more than 200 new electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, technicians and industrial designers nationwide over the next three years. How important are public washrooms?
Trust fined after employees exposed to TB bacteria Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust has been fined for safety failings after employees were exposed to a potentially deadly strain of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria when they cleaned up a test vial that had been smashed in a specialist laboratory. The incident at Royal Brompton Hospital in January 2011 was investigated by the Health & Safety Executive, which identified numerous issues with the management and maintenance of the CL3 containment facility that is used to provide a microbiological diagnostic service. Thick fog and smog over North China, presents marketing opportunity! They say that good marketing people should have the ability to turn a negative into a positive and the organisers of China Clean Expo 2013, which will be held from 1st - 3rd April 2013 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition, are doing just that, by drawing attention to the advantages presented by the thick smog and fog that has settled over North China! Betco launches Photon Max with SRT Floor Finish
IICRC EIICRC Europe: new contact details The IICRC Europe office/administration centre is now being run by Vincent Blackman and the new contact details are as follows: 47A Wrecclesham Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8TY. 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
Urgent reviews of anti-Legionella water treatment essential after HSE ban on elemental copper Thousands of property managers responsible for public buildings are being forced to carry out urgent reviews and source alternative water treatments following the recent Health & Safety Executive ban on the use of elemental copper as a biocide, particularly for legionella control. Cleaning linked to asthma risk, shows new study A new study has found strong evidence for a link between cleaning jobs and the risk of developing asthma. Andrew Large announces departure from cleaning industry
Healthcare firm in court over severed thumb Synergy Health (UK) has appeared in court after an "inadequately trained" employee at its Chorley factory lost part of his thumb when it became trapped in a dry wipes machine that was found by investigators to have insufficient guarding ICMMA launches design award for the Cleaning Show The Industrial Cleaning Machine Manufacturers Association has announced the launch of its vacuum cleaner design awards for the 2013 Cleaning Show, which is taking place from 19th to 21st March 2013 at the NEC, Birmingham. Staying pristine at every height, one year on!
Unilever brings zero waste to landfill commitment five years forward to 2015
FM professional and membership bodies "failing employers" - FM chief spearheads campaign for action
New colour for Karcher products makes differentiation easier
UK business needs smarter spending strategies for growth Industry report finds lack of awareness at board level of spending habits and inefficient supply chains holding back businesses. Clever FM solution can help increase efficiency and lower costs
Brighton hospitals pay dispute: an update Further to last week’s story regarding industrial action by cleaners and some of their support service colleagues at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, this joint statement has been issued by the GMB union and Sodexo, the employer: Biggest idiot on a ladder crowned by Ladder Association after public vote
The countdown is on to the opening of the UK's leading showcase for all products and services used in the cleaning & support services industry. The Cleaning Show 2013, which the organiser says is set to be the largest in the event's history, with pre-registered visitors up by 70%, will take place from March 19th -21st at Birmingham's NEC. Soapbox: Funding needed to keep Britain's open spaces clean and litter-free
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