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Industry News
Announcing the CSSA’s 2021 Innovation Showcase
THE Cleaning Support Services Association’s (CSSA) 2021 Innovation Showcase celebrates the cleaning industry’s most innovative products, services and initiatives. The Innovation Showcase is again backed by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), which is sponsoring the event.
Businesses and organisations operating throughout the cleaning industry are invited to enter their innovative products, services and initiatives. An ‘Innovators Pitch’ panel of industry experts and representatives will review and interview the entrants and select those to be exhibited at the Innovation Showcase itself, taking place at the London Cleaning Show next year.
To be eligible the product, service or initiative must have been launched since the 1 January competition organised by the Association of Building Cleaning Direct Service Providers (ABCD) to promote good practice in local authority cleaning services. Nottinghamshire County Council came second in the ABCD’s Initiatives Competition 2020, which was supported by the British Cleaning Council.
ABCD is the organisation for local government cleaning managers but also has a number of suppliers and trainers from the industry as members. It is also a member of the BCC.
The winning entry came from Rochdale Borough Council’s facilities management cleaning service.
The service works in partnership with Redwood Secondary School, a local school which supports young people with special needs, to offer an intern a cleaning work 2020 and can be applicable to any area of the cleaning industry. The deadline for entries is 31 December 2020. This year the Innovation Showcase has an entry fee of £250, which is refundable to those entries that do not proceed to the three day Innovation Showcase.
Paul Ashton, chairman of the CSSA Innovation & Technology Executive, said: “The Showcase celebrates innovation in the widest sense, whether it is a new method, idea, approach, or product. We’ll be judging the placement one day per week over a six-month period. Redwood students aged between 16 and 19 years old are eligible to take part in the project, which takes them on a journey towards sustainable paid employment. The course develops their skills and employability through school-based learning, work-room activities, accreditation, and work placements.
ABCD chair, Kim Phillips of Rotherham Borough Council, and vice chair, Jacky Hammett of Shropshire Council, judged the competition. In a joint statement, they said: “We are pleased to be able to properly acknowledge and celebrate all the great work being carried out by local councils in delivering essential cleaning services through this competition, particularly during this most difficult of all times. The Rochdale entry gave a different dimension to the innovations in terms of their impact and in our experience even something small can have a very big impact.”
Lorcan Mekitarian, chairman of the CHSA, said: “The CSSA’s Innovation Showcase is a superb way to celebrate some of the best ideas being generated in the industry and so we are delighted to back this initiative again. Our members continually innovate, helping their customers address some of the big issues facing the sector, including environmental challenges, as evidenced by the number of our members amongst those who participated in previous CSSA Innovation Showcases. We are looking forward to seeing the entries and putting them through their paces at the Innovators Pitch!”
Rochdale Council wins national cleaning competition
ROCHDALE Borough Council has won a national
WWW.CSSA-UK.CO.UK cleaning role…staff development to existing cleaning operatives whilst giving a really good opportunity for new entrants to the cleaning industry. The Nottingham entry is also really good and the fantastic work from this team has ensured that the transport hub remains safe for all users and key workers to confidently use and safely attend their place of work during the pandemic.”
Peter Gurney, facilities manager catering and cleaning, at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “On behalf of the cleaning/caretaking facilities management service at Rochdale Council, we are delighted to have been chosen as the winner of the ABCD’s Initiatives Competition 2020. As a service and council, we strongly support inclusion and being able to work in partnership with Redwood Secondary School, which supports young people with special needs, is truly humbling. The service and the council are committed to continuing partnership working with Redwood School. Since its inception in 2013 the service has supported over 10 interns and we are currently working alongside other services showcasing the benefits of working with these students who would not normally be given the opportunity to gain mainstream employment. The service is keen to emphasise that this is a two-way partnership and we have found the inspiring work ethic of the interns can often have a positive effect on the whole workforce.” WWW.ABCDSP.ORG.UK
BICSc releases ‘Standards & Best Practice’ guide
SINCE 1961, BICSc has been a leader in education, standards and best practice for the cleaning sector. At a time when cleaning and hygiene remains a top agenda item, BICSc has released a new publication, aptly named ‘Standards & Best Practice’.
With contributions from industry experts, it combines intelligence, experience and knowledge which, when followed, will become an integral part of any organisation’s overall performance. Contents include: • BICSc recommended colour-coding. • The Cleaning Professional’s Skills
Suite explained. • ‘BICSc Outcome Criteria’ offers an effective and efficient way of measuring cleanliness and what is and isn’t acceptable. • ‘BICSc Compound Productivity Rates’ recognised by the B Corporation (B Corp) for meeting rigorous social and environmental standards. NuServe, which has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, is only the second UK company providing services in cleaning and facilities management to achieve the accolade.
Companies certified as a B Corp must meet stringent social and environmental standards that reflect commitment to goals outside short-term profits, and excel in practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity, and corporate transparency.
NuServe - founded in 1996 - has also acquired a number of other accreditations which underline its track record in establishing itself as a planet conscious company. These include being awarded a Planet Mark certificate after achieving a carbon-neutral status by offsetting emissions it produces through its operations with programmes and funding for carbon reduction. Its target next BRADFORD based chemicals manufacturer Christeyns has rearranged its laundry field team and engineering, water and energy division to better service its client base across the UK. Christeyns commercial laundry division, which supplies detergents, supporting chemicals and provide a standardised figure for calculating time needed to complete a cleaning operation.
Standards across all professional disciplines originate from the knowledge and experience year is a further 5% reduction in its overall carbon footprint.
NuServe is a recognised Living Wage service provider and celebrates its team successes through its ‘Above and Beyond’ recognition programme. It is also transitioning its entire workforce to Living Wage Foundation pay rates by 2022. NuServe has additionally made a contribution to the World Land Trust’s (WLT) Carbon Balanced Programme to offset the equivalent of 27 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from buildings, travel, waste, and procurement.
Simon Duke, MD of NuServe, said: “Our mission is to uphold the right to good work and fair pay, to protect our people and our planet, and to deliver quality services that honour the trust afforded us. Fundamentally, we’re a family business, with family values, but with a modern and innovative approach. At the heart of our business is a commitment to sustainability. In fact, in 2019, we amended our articles of association, making our directors legally responsible for ensuring that through water and energy equipment, has undertaken a reorganisation of its regional teams and announced new area managers for the south west and south east.
Operations director, Justin Kerslake, said: “We have created smaller, more focused of industry experts. Often they are used as a proficiency tested by examination through education or training. BICSc Standards & Best Practice is a means to simplify an agreed way of delivering cleaning methodology.
Many dimensions exist within the professional cleaning and hygiene world. This publication offers a wealth of knowledge and explains how the BICSc ethos and principles of cleaning can be adapted to suit a professional cleaning company.
Corporate and accredited training members are offered online access to the publication free of charge - just one of the benefits of being a BICSc member. Non-members can purchase BICSc Standards & Best Practice in hard copy from the BICSc online shop.
NuServe gains B Corp certification
A cleaning contractor is celebrating after being
WWW.BICS.ORG.UK our business and operations we have a material positive impact on society and the environment. NuServe hopes achieving the B Corp certification will resonate with business leaders keen to work with suppliers that can demonstrate a genuine and concerted effort to limit their environmental impact and work towards a fairer society.”
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome NuServe to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates, who believe business really can be a force for good. We know that NuServe is going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”
New formation for commercial laundry division at Christeyns
WWW.NUSERVE.CO.UK teams so as to be more agile and flexible to react to customer requirements. We have also combined our engineering and water and energy teams due to the synergies in these two areas of the business.” WWW.CHRISTEYNS.COM
Companies team up to support local charity
THE Carroll Cleaning Company has joined forces with a group of Calderdale businesses and volunteers to support Overgate Hospice in Elland during the COVID-19 outbreak. 64 businesses and business people have donated to the appeal, raising £181,107 since May 2020.
In March, as the pandemic landed and lockdown was announced, the hospice was forced to shut each of its 14 charity shops and cancel a number of large events and fundraising activities. This meant a sudden loss of desperately needed income for the hospice which relies on donations from the local community to raise 77% of its running costs. As it entered a new financial year in April, the hospice was predicting a loss of over £500,000. As this news was shared with the hospice’s supporters, a small group of business people felt compelled to act.
Janet Cawtheray, chief executive of Overgate Hospice, said: “This year has been incredibly challenging for everyone, and the loss of income has been a huge concern for the hospice. In April, we had no idea how long the lockdown would last and how this might affect the patients and families in our care. When the Corporate Emergency Appeal was launched we were so grateful for the support but as the appeal has grown we have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have donated and the amount raised. This money is already making a huge difference to the patients in our care. It has meant we have been able to continue to care for the Calderdale community, adapting our services as the restrictions have changed and supporting local people who are facing the end of their lives. On behalf of everyone at the hospice, I would like to say a special thank you to The Carroll Cleaning Co for its dedicated support and to all of the local businesses and business people who have supported the appeal.”
Anne-Marie Carroll, CCC’s marketing director, said: “We thought it important to continue our support for the hospice to recognise the efforts of all key workers, including our own colleagues, who have worked - and continue to work - so hard throughout the pandemic. Overgate is very close to the hearts of many at CCC and we’re delighted the appeal has met with such wonderful support.”
The Corporate Emergency Appeal is still open. Email: selina. lodge@overgatehospice.nhs.uk.
WWW.CARROLLCLEANINGCOMPANY.CO.UK
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Recognition for pioneering manufacturer
BIO-Productions has received recognition from a variety of sources in the past month after enduring its most challenging year to date. Based in Burgess Hill, the company was awarded a manufacturing accreditation by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) in October. It was also named a ‘UK Business Hero’ by the Sussex Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of its efforts to support the local community during the COVID-19 crisis.
The CHSA accreditation came after a rigorous audit into the quality of Bio-Productions’ products, while the UK Business Hero moniker celebrates the team’s ongoing efforts to keep cut its carbon footprint by 15.8% per employee in its eighth year of reporting to retain The Planet Mark sustainability certification. GreenZone’s total carbon footprint in year ending December year ending 2018. The relative carbon footprint compared to the year ending 2018.
This year’s footprint includes emissions from energy use in the building (purchased electricity), from fuel used by the fleet, from waste disposal, and from the production of paper used in the offices.
Steve Trew, managing director of GreenZone, said: “We’re delighted to have secured funding from Royal Bank of Scotland to ease cashflow pressures and secure the company’s future during the pandemic.
When the first COVID-19 restrictions were introduced, the cleaning and maintenance firm immediately turned its attention to diversifying its offering to overcome the impact of coronavirus and safeguard jobs. The funding package provided the business with additional security and peace of mind, allowing it to focus on servicing its clients wherever possible, whilst following the strictest health and safety guidelines. It also enabled it to retain all 150 staff members and has assisted with cashflow for wages. Britain clean while also fundraising for various good causes at a local level.
“This is really welcome and exciting news for us,” said Angela Gill, managing director. “This year has been tough on us all and our team has had to stay on its toes. It’s been challenging - from meeting the initial rush of demand back in March when the coronavirus crisis started, through to furloughing some of our team in the middle of the year. Thankfully, business is strong. We’re so proud of our team and all the hard work they’ve put in to keep us going and to fulfil orders. Bio-Productions is known for quality products but personally, I think what achieved the 15.8% reduction in carbon footprint per employee in this, our eighth year of accreditation by The Planet Mark. Starting our carbon measurement and reduction journey at such a low and focused base means that it is a very challenging task to continue to find innovative ways of cutting carbon year on year. However, with sustainable practice firmly at the heart of everything we do, GreenZone has, and always will, continued to challenge industry norms and operational standards to drive positive environmental change. Being able to demonstrate to our clients independent verification of the reductions we have achieved offers testament to the fact that we
Scott Willox, director of Gold Star Cleaning, said: “At the beginning of the year we could never have anticipated the impact coronavirus would have on our business. It has undoubtedly been the biggest challenge we have faced in our 40-year history. However, the incredible support we have received from Royal Bank of Scotland has enabled us to navigate our way through the crisis. Carol, our relationship manager, fully understood our requirements as a business from the outset and has been really helpful throughout the whole process, enabling us to secure the funding quickly and obtain a safety net.”
From left, Angela Gill (MD), Phil Karn (production director) and Avonia Bridge (finance director).
really makes us stand out is the brilliant team we have at every level of the business. I hope the accolades will give our customers even more trust in what we do.”
GREENZONE Cleaning & Support Services has 2019 was 90.6 tCO 2e, a decrease of 5.8% from was 1.4 tCO2e per employee, a decrease of 15.8%
WWW.BIO-PRODUCTIONS.COM don’t just talk the talk, but that we walk the walk and act firmly upon our beliefs.”
Steve Malkin, CEO and founder of The Planet Mark, said: “GreenZone puts sustainability at the heart of its work, and it comes as no surprise to see its carbon footprint fall so convincingly, even as its company grows. From the products the company uses to the way it delivers its service, our environment is of core concern to GreenZone, and the results are showing. The company serves as an excellent example to all companies of how a committed way of thinking can deliver real change for the environment.”
Coronavirus funding helps Aberdeen cleaning firm navigate pandemic
ABERDEEN-based Gold Star Cleaning has
WWW.GZCSS.CO.UK
Scott Willox, director of Gold Star Cleaning.
Carol Gray, relationship manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The way Gold Star Cleaning has adapted to the challenging times over the last few months is a real testament to its leadership and sustainable business model. I’m really pleased we’ve been able to support the team during this period and I’m confident the company will continue to thrive in the north east as the pandemic subsides.” WWW.NATWESTGROUP.COM
