In this week’s guest blog, we are pleased to welcome Emma Cox, Head of Site Operations at Caravan & Motorhome Club. Emma looks after thousands of sites and has seen first-hand how the cleaning industry has evolved over recent years and how it needs to change in the future. Read on to find out what she thinks tomorrow holds for the cleaning industry.
The cleaning industry is constantly evolving. As technology has advanced, so have the methods and products used. In recent years, the pace of change has accelerated even further, driven by technological innovations and the global COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic, in particular, reshaped public attitudes towards cleanliness and hygiene and expectations soared. I won’t dwell on those challenging times, safe to say that, despite the diminishing vigilance, people’s expectations have become much more discerning.
Whether it’s a caravan site, public washroom, or entertainment venue, they now expect a certain, indeed higher, standard of cleanliness and hygiene. They are also much savvier, with information literally at their fingertips in the form of smartphones, demanding more ethical practices and products from the places where they choose to spend their time and money. This is all driving the future of cleaning.
As an industry sustainability is a big topic, we have already made significant progress on this journey. In our business, we’ve already started moving over to eco-friendly products because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Initially, we tested these products at trial sites against ‘traditional’ products. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive; not only did they perform well in terms of cleanliness, but they also offered significant benefits in packaging. The concentrated formats mean fewer chemicals to store and reduced packaging waste, which is a major advantage. However, proper training is essential, as it’s crucial to follow the instructions precisely to achieve the best results.
Approaching your suppliers can help solve any potential obstacles when it comes to choosing more environmentally responsible products and processes. This is something I’d urge businesses to do going forward. On numerous occasions, we’ve turned to Jangro for help, saying ‘We have this issue. What do we do?’. Their expertise has led to spectacular results and has been a major driver for us to transition to eco-friendly products. It doesn’t necessarily have to come at a higher price either. We’re currently conducting a cost comparison between ‘traditional’ products and eco-friendly alternatives and finding that with less waste and reduced usage, the costs in use are comparable.
Continuing on this theme, it is crucial that all packaging is recyclable too, going forward. It really frustrates me when products arrive in recyclable packaging, but the chemicals inside are wrapped in plastic that has to go to the main waste. Why is that necessary? It is encouraging to see more reusable materials, like aluminium, being used though. While aluminium isn’t always suitable for all cleaning products, it’s important that the packaging for eco-friendly chemicals is as environmentally friendly as the chemicals themselves. This way, it doesn’t end up in landfill.
A wider issue that needs to be addressed in the future is the role of the waste industry. It needs to be pushed to follow through on its recycling commitments and ensure that from the moment users dispose of packaging, the process is efficient. Government needs to drive forward resources and waste strategy policies to make this happen. Many recyclable materials never actually get recycled because the waste industry simply hasn’t caught up, through lack of policy direction.
Moving to technology, this certainly will continue to evolve, but I don’t think it will ever fully replace people, since there are certain tasks that require the human touch. However, advancements like sensors that indicate when toilet paper needs replacing or a soap dispenser needs refilling, and even detecting dust on desks, are incredibly useful.
For example, we are currently focusing on how to leverage data regarding the number of facilities we have on site. We analyse how many people use a toilet facility, which cubicles are most frequented, and whether there are queues. This helps us determine if we need more facilities or if we can reduce them, which significantly impacts build costs. However, if we miscalculate and create queues, it can deter people from returning.
Data is crucial, but it must be balanced with experience and human expertise. This allows for informed decision-making, as well as helping to save time and manage the rising costs of labour while maintaining high standards. As time goes on, I think we will see more technological innovations that complement, rather than replace, actual people in their work.
I find keeping up with technological innovations is difficult as they seem to move at the speed of light! Organisations can be at the forefront investing in technology, only to find it outdated in two years. This can make businesses cautious. I find ourselves somewhere in the middle – as a business we’ll watch to see how it works for others and learn from them before fully committing. Take battery technology, for example. Initially, batteries were large, heavy, and had short lifespans. Over time, they’ve become smaller, lighter, and more reliable. We’re currently considering the use of battery-operated floor scrubbers because they are easier to operate, though currently twice the price than non-battery powered machines. However, in a few years, the cost will likely decrease, making them more feasible.
As a final thought one of the significant challenges we face is attracting people to the cleaning profession. There’s a stigma associated with being a cleaning operative, which makes recruitment difficult. The hospitality industry as a whole is struggling too, but recruiting for cleaning roles is particularly tough. When we do find good cleaning teams, we make sure to treat them well and retain them.
As time goes on, this challenge will likely intensify. Over the next five years, we need to change the perception that being a cleaner is less valuable than other roles and ensure it is a profession they are proud to be part of. After all, it’s not just about wiping surfaces; it’s a skilled profession that deserves respect and recognition. Understanding how cleaning products work involves chemistry. Many cleaning operatives have this knowledge but don’t realise its value. We need to elevate the profile of the cleaning industry and recognise the complexity and importance of their work.
In summary the key areas of change come down to; Sustainability, Waste Management, Technology and Talent. Get them right and any business will thrive.
Tune into episode six of Keep it Clean, a podcast from Jangro, to hear Emma talk about the future of cleaning. To find out more about the Caravan & Motorhome Club, visit https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/
More blogs filled with other voices in the industry are coming soon.