The catering industry has been fundamentally threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, with tighter restrictions set to stay in place for the foreseeable future. Jangro, the UK and Ireland’s largest network of independent janitorial suppliers, has expanded its comprehensive range of solutions to help businesses in the food industry continue trading throughout (and beyond) these uncertain times. They are able to offer everything the sector needs to adapt their processes and keep trading, from sustainable takeaway packaging, to effective cleaning and hygiene supplies and processes.

As the UK goes back to work, school and university, organisations need to clean and keep clean offices, shops and all other public spaces. The risk of a source of infection has to be mitigated but, faced with plenty of extraordinary product claims, how to select the right cleaning and hygiene products? Nicky Biggart, UK Janitorial Sales Manager of CHSA member Evans Vanodine, and Chris Ryan, Head of International Business at BICSc answered questions during the CHSA’s webinar.

Pioneering cleaning firm Cleanology is saving 7,000 plastic bottles a year from landfill by kitting out staff in uniforms made from recycled plastic. CEO Dominic Ponniah said: “We are extremely proud to be the first to introduce recycled uniforms within our industry. This is just the latest drive to make Cleanology a truly sustainable business. We already operate an electric fleet, and tackle portion control with our chemical-free sachets. Buying recycled, in the form of recycled uniforms, helps to close the loop even further.”

The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has written to the Health Secretary, The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, asking employees of manufacturers and distributors of cleaning and hygiene products be eligible for priority testing for the coronavirus Anyone over the age of five who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 – a temperature, cough and the loss of the sense of taste and smell – is now able to secure a test for coronavirus. Essential workers in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland can apply for priority testing through GOV.uk. These tests are prioritised over those made available to the wider public through the NHS.

The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) is warning all buyers of cleaning and hygiene products to beware of unscrupulous profiteers capitalising on the unprecedented demand for these products. New companies have been set up to buy and sell on products like hand and surface sanitisers, gloves, wipes, tissue and aprons. Some are also buying up raw materials and attempting to produce some products. Primarily selling online, their products carry an exceptionally high mark-up and there is no guarantee they meet industry standards. There is also a marked increase in imported Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with fake or no CE marking, the certification mark that indicates conformance with European Union directives regarding health and safety or environmental protection.

As part of its comprehensive preparations and new operating procedures for the reopening of venues, etc.venues has developed a new programme to deliver cleanliness and disinfection in its venues. In a new move the company will collaborate with Cleanology, with its scientific approach to cleaning and with Navitas (formally known as the European Safety Bureau) – who will audit venues to the new Covid Controlled Certification scheme.

Despite having to cancel its annual charity Gala Ball, which was to take place in April, the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) is donating £5,000 to the Chairman’s Charity, Grief Encounter. Every year, thanks to the generosity of members and their guests, the CHSA raises thousands of pounds for the Chairman’s Charity at its Gala Ball – in 2019 the CHSA raised £8,000 for Grief Encounter. The social distancing essential to tackling the coronavirus meant this year’s Gala Ball has been cancelled so the CHSA took action.

Cleanology Chief Executive Dominic Ponniah looks at an extraordinary month as the effects of the coronavirus crisis took hold – and looks ahead to when it will eventually end. It is hard to believe that just a month ago, the cleaning industry was celebrating success at the Golden Service Awards. And today we are on the front line of a war against a virus.

ABM has won three awards for its cleaning services at the 2020 Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards. The facilities solutions provider won the ‘Best Clean Premises’ award for office areas between 100,000 and 300,000 square feet for their work with 14 Pier Walk, as well as ‘Best Clean Premises’ for Shopping Malls over 1m square feet for the partnership with The Centre Livingston. ABM’s people were also celebrated, with Helena Costa winning ‘Site Supervisor of the Year’ and Wayne Middleton being highly commended for the same award.

Setting out his agenda for his tenure as Chairman of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association, Lorcan Mekitarian, Sales Director Bpi Recycled Products, part of Berry Bpi Group, focused on the CHSA’s respected Accreditation Schemes and the need to address the big issues facing members. “The CHSA Accreditation Schemes guarantee standards in the cleaning and hygiene sector,” said Lorcan Mekitarian. “We are proud of their impact and I will lead the Council in continuing to support and expand them, growing the membership, widening their scope and raising awareness amongst buyers of the products. We want everyone who buys cleaning and hygiene products to specify the relevant Accreditation Scheme. It’s the only way to be certain ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’. Our Standards, Your Guarantee.”