Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 23rd April 2026 Issue no. 1207
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 International News
Products New modular spray system facilitates mobile and efficient equipment and plant sanitation
Interclean Amsterdam announces Amsterdam Innovation Award 2026 winners
Miller Environmental completes acquisition of Haz-Mat Environmental Services and Canco
Safety professionals worried about mass adoption of AI, reveals new report
This year's report, says the renowned provider of health, safety & environmental training, surveyed professionals across 16 industries, split for the first time into two cohorts: Business Leaders (business owners, directors, and department heads) and Employees (managers, team leaders, and non-managerial staff). The findings reveal a profession that is broadly confident in the value of training but navigating deep uncertainty about AI adoption, workforce readiness, and where to invest next. Sofidel accelerates decarbonisation with a new biomass boiler In France
Europe's tissue industry: supporting jobs along with hygiene
Services union stages European Public Procurement Summit this month
Louisiana jail sees 62% reduction in infection complaints within 30 days of disinfectant switch
BICSc to deliver dynamic demonstrations at Interclean
TVH and SPE announce strategic partnership for battery charger repair in Europe
Truvox International partners with Pacvac and introduces the Valet Backpack Pro Battery
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Welcome to the Cleanzine
Each year, Keep Britain Tidy - part of the British Cleaning Council, organises the Great British Spring Clean. During this year's clean-up, which ran from 17th March – 2nd April 2026, a phenomenal 451,882 bags of litter were collected by around 585,000 volunteers. I left the ‘2026’ in there, just in case anyone wondered – as I did initially – whether the event had stretched for more than a year. After all, to be able to collect almost half a million bags of litter in just over a month, is something of a disgrace, and while I’m not denigrating the efforts of the brave folk who became involved, I feel the need to point out that while the scheme’s deemed a huge success, the fact that it is such a success is actually something of which we should be thoroughly ashamed.
But it goes far wider than that… This map shows the Global Cleanup Events staged to support Earth Day, which was yesterday. Humankind has a lot to answer for, don’t you think? We need to make some big changes, fast. But I’d like to say ‘thank you’, anyway, to all those who took part and made such a positive difference.
It pleases me that the British event included the Great Big School Clean, during which children learnt about the impact litter has on our wildlife. Apparently thousands of pupils took part. Why only thousands though? In my view, education of this type should be compulsory for all children from a very young age. And it should also focus on the wider impact dropping litter has, along with our over-consumption in general, (which in turn creates more waste) – and perhaps how angry it makes people like me feel… people who are lucky enough to be able to recall growing up in a litter-free environment without the need for volunteers to make it that way!
To end on a more positive note, let me put something to you: Our industry is one that could cause a lot of damage to our wonderful planet if we didn’t take it as seriously as we do. Just look at the chemicals and the containers they come in or are dispensed from… the water used for cleaning and rinsing… the transport, storage, machinery, equipment and disposables involved… waste collection and recycling, too. I’m proud to say that we’ve really taken up the baton with regard to seeking out and making positive changes to the way we do things, with our eye firmly on sustainability and helping to create a circular economy. Could we do more though, I wonder? I’d love to learn your thoughts on this…
This Week's News
Northwood relaunches Leonardo Washroom brand
The brand was officially unveiled last week at Interclean Amsterdam 2026. Nilfisk joins Freudenberg following takeover completion
Freudenberg will acquire around 94% of Nilfisk's share capital, with plans to complete a compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares and delist the company.  ECHA SEAC on REACH PFAS restrictions consultation explained
Many PFAS chemicals are increasingly subject to global regulatory control due to the environmental and human and animal health harms they have been found to cause through characteristics such as bioaccumulation and toxicity. Why lone working is one of the cleaning sector's biggest safety blind spots
Across offices, schools, public buildings, shared spaces and retail sites, cleaners are often asked to work before and after opening times, or at unsociable hours when nobody is around.  Prepare for Euro van tachograph deadline, advises Logistics UK
With the deadline just over two months away, business group Logistics UK is reminding operators to ensure they are compliant with the new requirements. Why AI integration is an opportunity we have to get right in cleaning
"Artificial Intelligence is seemingly now everywhere in the working world, present across almost every sector and aspect of modern life. The Facilities Management and Cleaning industry is already at the forefront of adopting this change, with stats showing 65% of FM companies are well underway and integrating these tools into their operations.  J36 professional cleaning robot explores new possibilities for retail and commercial floor care
“Commercial cleaning has always been hard to manage well,” argues the manufacturer. “Staff shortages are common across the industry. Machines wear out quickly or fail to adapt to different floor layouts. Interclean Amsterdam 2026 closes on a high as global cleaning industry comes together
From 14th -17th April, the world's leading cleaning & hygiene professionals gathered in Amsterdam to discover the latest technologies, attend expert sessions and explore the trends of the future of the industry.  BICSc to lead industry innovation sessions at The Workplace Event next week
The Institute’s team of specialists will be joined by key companies and voices, who will each deliver sessions throughout the week. 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
Simon Humphrey appointed sustainability director at OCS UK & Ireland
Stain Kings founder Jacob Dowe achieves NCCA Advanced Technician Certification
TSA announces Westminster cross party meeting focusing on the laundry industry
Free H & S year planner from Croner
However, if regulations aren't followed, your business could be exposed to risk - including criminal prosecution in the most extreme cases. Kärcher UK appoints Gareth Prosser as managing director
Vast majority of drivers fear accidental ULEZ fines
Launch of practical checklist to help waste operators identify airborne health risks
Loo of the Year Awards announces new industry partnership to recognise washroom suppliers
Take action this Stress Awareness Month: prevent work-related stress
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