Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 11th December 2025 Issue no. 1190
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 International News
Products Thousands of landfills around Europe threaten human health and ecosystems
SOAPBOX: Robotics, water and a future without detergent
“The cleaning industry is faced with the possibility of a chemical-free revolution. Autonomous floor-scrubbing robots powered by electrically converted water could be proof that pristine, hygienic spaces no longer need to come with the familiar scent - and environmental burden - of detergent.
Sontara launches new sustainable wipes portfolio
CCS Facility Services announces dedicated Education Division and key leadership promotions
RightCycle ReNew(ed): Sustainable solutions made simple!
Hit the floor running with Prochem’s 2026 catalogue
Idrobase vision stars at 5th African Green Growth Forum
OCS Indonesia achieves ISO 14644-1:2015 Certification for air particle testing
Surface contamination linked to 1.27 million AMR deaths; experts warn of hidden threat
Prevent the escalation of lone worker incidents
Peartree Cleaning Services partners with PVA Hygiene to eliminate single-use plastic
New Terminal One at JFK selects Flagship Aviation Services for janitorial solutions
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Welcome to the Cleanzine
Whilst walking back from Epsom town centre this week, carefully avoiding puddles - not worried about getting my boots wet but aware that said puddles could be camouflaging potholes into which I might stumble and wrench an ankle or worse - I was thinking how soul-destroying it must get sometimes for those whose job it is to personally maintain our towns, villages and public spaces… Not just the dodgy surfaces and having to effect repairs that they know won’t last for as long as they ought, (whilst often being tutted at - or worse - by those stuck in traffic or pavement jams created as they work) but the litter that just never stops accumulating however hard they try to keep it clear.
I’ve long struggled to get my head around pay structures. Why do those who’ve achieved the roles so many aspire to - becoming sports or film stars, TV or radio presenters and enjoying the lifestyle, travel etc that they bring, earn so much more than those doing what are effectively far more important jobs such as cleaning our streets and public buildings? It really should be massively evened out, don’t you think, to make things more fair?
It's at this time of year, when snuggled in my bed, it’s pitch black outside and I’m woken by the sound of boxes of glass bottles and jars being emptied into the recycling truck, that – far from being cross at being woken – I realise how lucky I am not to be outside in the dark and pouring rain/freezing cold, sorting other people’s waste for what is, effectively, a pittance?
A press release this week from the Health & Safety Executive, plus news of yet another person dying in a waste bin, really brings it home. Headed ‘Rough sleepers in bins’, it describes how serious - and potentially fatal - risks are posed by rough sleepers who seek shelter in large commercial or communal waste bins and may be inadvertently tipped into waste collection trucks. It outlines control measures for businesses that manage commercial bins and storage areas, and those who collect the waste. As well as the guidance one might expect to see in such a document: focus on reducing the likelihood of people getting inside the bins and incorporate bin inspection into health & safety risk assessments - especially during colder months when rough sleepers are more likely to seek shelter - it includes advice for collection services to check that nobody is inside the bin before it’s emptied, along with a section on what you should do if you encounter someone in a bin. Danger money needed perhaps, and/or trauma counselling for the unlucky few? Our waste collectors have a far harder job than many of us realise, and I hope you’ll join me in greeting & thanking them whenever your paths cross.
This Week's News
Golden Service Awards 2026: Finalists and celebrity host revealed
The finalists are announced for the most sought-after accolades in cleaning and facilities management in the UK, recognising the continued excellence, performance and commitment through today's heavily challenging times. As one of the most prestigious events in the industry - considered the pinnacle honour to achieve - hearty congratulations go to the 50 finalists from 29 companies. Urgent clarification needed on scope of Textiles EPR for PPE, say industry bodies
As EU Member States begin implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, a lack of distinction within the Directive's Annex IVc is causing confusion. Currently, the specified CN codes do not distinguish between standard apparel and essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or Medical Devices (MD).  SOAPBOX: SMEs struggle to sustain apprenticeships amid 66% wage hike and rising business costs
"There have been many articles about the recent onslaught of anti-business policies by our governments. First, it was the Conservatives who raised corporation tax from 19% up to 25%, and then Labour's most recent combination of increases to National Insurance and National Living Wage in May 2025. All told, for many SME businesses, it added tens of thousands of pounds to their costs and has resulted in some of the highest business closures in the last 30 years. Yet, one area that has seemingly escaped the limelight until now is the impact these changes are having on apprenticeships. Change in attitude toward HGV drivers required to drive truck stop improvements, says Logistics UK
Logistics UK's head of road freight & English regions policy, Maddi Solloway-Price, has responded, saying there needs to be a change in attitude towards HGV drivers. She believes that improving driver facilities is about more than infrastructure - thst it is about valuing the skilled professionals who keep Britain moving. 
Luke had completed a two-day Prochem carpet cleaning course at Chessington last year after returning to the UK from Australia. The former car mechanic, starting over again, had joined up with his carpet cleaner father to set up Aqua Bright. Back for another bite: Lime wins another Green Apple Award!
Competing against more than 1,000 nominations, Lime’s project: ‘Collaboratively working to deliver real CO2 savings’ impressed judges in the Service Industries sector and Carbon Reduction category, who recognised the measurable impact achieved through the company’s sustainability partnership with Breanheath and its client, Booking.com.  Slicker Recycling announces new equity and shareholder addition
The recycling firm has announced that Dr Weinberger, via his investment company, has become a significant shareholder in Greenbottle, the parent company of both Slicker Recycling and Re:Group and co-investor in Avista Green the Danish re-refinery company. Hattrick of wins for Churchill Environmental Services
Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council…  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
“Help stamp out modern slavery!” BCC urges
Cleaning With Meaning recognised as Disability Confident Committed employer
Industry inspires 450-plus primary school pupils across Bolton
Christeyns continues to support future talent
Waste & recycling company fined after worker injured cleaning machinery
Green Apple Award for Peartree
Dominic Ponniah is new chairman of Cleanology after stepping down as CEO
Full conference programme for Manchester Cleaning Show 2026 released
HSE publishes annual workplace health & safety statistics
Peartree Cleaning Services champions development through apprenticeships
Churchill wins four Green Apple Environment Awards
More funding for public toilets now please!
Events & Exhibitions Horecava The Cleaning Show Innovation Lab 2026 Clean-Tech Expo Cleaning Expo INTERCLEAN The Workplace Event |
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