The professional cleaning industry is undergoing significant transformation as it faces the challenges posed by extreme weather events and the growing scrutiny of sustainability practices. Malene Thiele, Global VP for ESG & Sustainability at Nilfisk, detailed these pressing issues in an editorial for the European Cleaning Journal.
Recent weather extremes across the globe underscore this shift. For instance, during a single day last summer, Southern Europe experienced scorching heat that raised concerns for athletes and onlookers alike, while landslides in India and wildfires in the western USA highlighted the destructive nature of severe weather. Furthermore, soaring temperatures in East Antarctica showcased the troubling reality of climate change impacting even the most remote regions. These instances reflect a broader trend; extreme weather is anticipated to diminish productivity across numerous industries, altering market demands and influencing the availability and pricing of essential raw materials.
One critical resource in the cleaning sector is water. The European Environment Agency has reported that around 30% of Europe’s population experiences water stress, an issue expected to worsen with increasing droughts driven by climate change. In response, cleaning equipment manufacturers, such as Nilfisk, are called to innovate and develop solutions that drastically reduce water usage. The shift towards water-efficient technologies is paramount, as fluctuating prices and availability due to scarcity can affect the overall cost of ownership for cleaning equipment.
Additionally, concerns surrounding plastic usage in cleaning machines are growing. As audiences become more environmentally conscious, companies may be required to provide proof of recycling and recyclable content in their products. Differentiations between post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) and post-industrial recycled plastic (PIR) highlight the complexities businesses will need to navigate in sourcing sustainable materials.
Moreover, with regulatory frameworks like the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in place, businesses are likely to face increasing demands for transparency. Customers are expected to inquire about the efficiency and sustainability of cleaning solutions in greater depth, covering aspects such as water and energy usage, durability, maintenance, and the overall environmental impact of the supply chain. It will no longer suffice to merely provide effective cleaning solutions; companies must also be prepared to present detailed sustainability reports.
In light of these pressures, the professional cleaning industry is bracing itself for a pivotal shift. As societal needs evolve amidst climate challenges, cleaning solutions will become integral in maintaining hygiene standards and limiting the spread of infectious diseases. This necessity presents an opportunity for the cleaning sector to enhance its relevance by providing solutions that meet these new challenges while also adhering to sustainability expectations.
Thiele emphasised the need for a paradigm shift, suggesting that "we cannot solve the world’s extreme weather problems with the same solutions and mindset that helped create them." This sentiment calls for innovation and adaptation within the industry, recognising that the cleaning practices of the future must be fundamentally different from those of the past to mitigate their contribution to global warming.
Thus, it is evident that the professional cleaning industry is poised at a crossroads, where embracing resource efficiency and sustainability will be crucial not only for survival but also for thriving in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace.
Source: Noah Wire Services