Innovating Sustainable Solutions

Jason Tallamy, Global Brand Director at 2San, describes how the drive for sustainability in cleaning sees the world’s first 100% environmentally-friendly solution made from water disrupt the sector.

The cleaning industry is focused on devising and bringing to market new cleaning methods that can be used without concern about the longterm impact they have on the environment, alongside the health and safety of those who work in environments that are regularly industrially cleaned.

What was once seen as a tick-box exercise for a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, sustainability is now part of an organisation’s brand and values – with its success depending on their commitment to it. Sustainability is now a must-have investment, rather than an unnecessary cost.

The trend for sustainable products across the cleaning industry has been driven equally by environmental concerns and the potential negative health impacts caused by using harsh chemicals on a regular basis. Cleaning technology which uses fewer resources, such as energy, alongside low emissions and waste, is in high demand. Forward-thinking businesses are looking to clean for a reduced cost – both to the environment and our health – whilst ensuring a high level of performance and cleanliness is delivered to their clients.

The pandemic drove workers out of the office into the perceived safety of their home to work. On returning to the office, it was no longer acceptable for offices to be clean: operators needed to prove by scientific testing that places of work are indeed clean and free from bacteria and viruses.

These concerns and emotional drivers did not stay at home when employees left for work each day. Eco-consumerism has boomed since 2020 and it's forecast to continue. It has fed into employee wishes and in turn, employers are now making greater sustainable choices to set an example for how to be a responsible guardian of the environment.

This united desire for healthier, safer, and more sustainable working environments has driven the cleaning industry to look towards technology and science to create more sustainable products which not only reduce the impact on the environment, but also protects us.

From the start of a product’s lifecycle through to how it is disposed of and reused, scientists and engineers are working on new innovations to address all of our concerns and desires. From eliminating chemicals, to reducing plastic packaging and condensing products into smaller containers, many advances are being made to minimise the cleaning industry’s negative impact on our planet.

In the UK, there is still a drive to get people back to workplaces following the COVID pandemic. Across the cleaning sector, tried and tested technologies are being married to new innovative tech to ensure sustainability is found across the entire industry.

Innovation runs throughout everything we do at 2San. We are constantly researching and reviewing new innovations within our core categories of; Clean, Protect, and Test. This supports our goal towards ‘Better Care. Better Life.’

To meet the industry’s demand for cleaning solutions that deliver on performance as well as health and safety and sustainability, 2San has developed the world’s first 100% environmentally-friendly cleaning solution.

Clean Zero is produced through microfiltration of water, and provides cleaning and sterilisation to a hospital grade standard. The product is ideal for all daily cleaning tasks on water washable surfaces – the ingredients are naturally derived, making it 100% sustainable.

The seven-stage process begins with the removal of elements such as chlorine, grit, and other inorganic compounds such as calcium that are naturally found in water. The water is then purified in a process that uses a partially permeable membrane to dispose of the unwanted contaminants and molecules before the final stages of hydro-embellishment. The composition of Clean Zero is unstable and therefore it performs a mechanical action when applied to surfaces, enabling it to absorb dirt and contamination. The result is a clean, streak-free surface without any residue.

Clean Zero systems are installed at location and the product is produced in-situ, making it a truly zero carbon product. As Clean Zero eradicates 99% of bacteria and viruses including COVID-19 in two seconds, there is no need for a separate sanitiser to be used.

Clean Zero recently worked with the London headquarters of a large corporate bank to test the effectiveness of its cleaning system in the venue’s daily cleaning tasks. Four strategic locations – toilets, meeting rooms, lift lobby, and reception area – were chosen to undertake ATP testing to gauge levels of dirt and contamination present before and after using the Clean Zero system.

During a three-month period, results showed a significant improvement in the cleanliness levels. Huge costs were saved as the innovative design of Clean Zero removed the need for a multipurpose cleaner, glass/mirror cleaner, disinfectant cleaner, stainless steel cleaner, and a washroom sanitiser.

Clean Zero is a remarkable product – not only for the cleaning industry, but also for the environment and our health. Cleaning products can increase indoor pollution, which we all breathe in. Traditionally, cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which come directly from liquid cleaners and aerosols. By eliminating those from the cleaning process, not only are we creating healthier leisure, work, and living spaces, but we are also stopping chemicals entering our ecosystems and damaging our environments.

There is no eco-friendlier product than one that is made only of water, which will not only disrupt the cleaning industry but eliminate pollution and the detrimental impact some cleaning products can have on our health.

You can also read Jason's article in Tomorrow's Cleaning here