BICSc conference to showcase sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY CONTINUES to be a key topic and consideration throughout not only the professional cleaning community, but also other industries worldwide. 

Whether the sustainability spotlight is on an organisation’s global carbon footprint, or the products and chemicals being utilised within the sector, being able to demonstrate “green credentials” is increasingly topping the agenda for businesses.

Sustainability is an integral focus for the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) which will explore all aspects of this expansive topic with keynote speakers and experts from the industry sharing knowledge at the BICSc Conference being staged in collaboration with Cleaning Matters. 

Group Managing Director of BICSc, Neil Spencer-Cook, said: “As part of the Cleaning Excellence Conference day, BICSc is delighted to join forces with Cleaning Matters and have the opportunity to be part of this occasion with our conference.

“On our stage we will have a series of keynote speakers and guests covering a wide range of topics with the chance for conference delegates to join in the discussions with engaging and informed Q&A sessions.”

Throughout the BICSc Conference there will be a number of joint presentations featuring Neil Spencer-Cook, who will be joined on stage by BICSc Technical Manager, Kelsey Hargreaves.  BICSc highlighted how sustainability is of integral importance to the Institute. Acknowledging it’s vital that the professional cleaning industry continue to develop and evolve ensuring the sector is as sustainable as possible across a range of areas within its operations, as well as other processes and practices, where applicable. 

He said: “From BICSc standpoint our focus is very much about advocating sustainability, however in a realistic way. While sustainability can be considered somewhat of a ‘buzzword’ currently, it is something we take very seriously.

“It is important to acknowledge sustainability is so much more than simply a focus on carbon footprint, it’s a very broad subject.  It is not just about being environmental; it is also about using things that are sustainable for our planet, which could mean using something that is not necessarily classed as the most ‘environmental’ but rather will last the longest and most importantly demonstrate its longevity.”

The BICSc business leader highlighted how some products for example, such as mops, which can be broken within minutes, if not handled properly, whereas other more robust products will go on to last for years. 

Neil said: “Another example are scrubber dryers, buy cheap and it might last a couple of years, however if you buy a really good quality one, it is more likely to last 10 to 15 years – that is realistic sustainability in my view, rather than paying lip service.

“The longevity of those tools of the trade that cleaning operatives will be using day in and day out, means it’s important when investing in those tools - buy cheap and you’re likely need to buy multiple products, and they are all adding to landfill.”

He highlighted across all sectors there is a growing trend of organisations claiming they have sustainability status, however he stressed that often it can be a case of businesses jumping on a buzzword band wagon, which if those credentials are not as robust as implied, leaves organisations open to allegations of greenwashing. 

BICSc stressed that while some companies claim sustainably by utilising “green” chemicals, it also raises the question of whether these products perform and do the job assigned effectively.

Neil said: “Are you buying a chemical because the manufacturers say it is “green” but is that chemical actually doing the job? Afterall, using any kind of chemical, whether it is deemed more environmentally friendly or not, it is still a chemical.”

He highlighted how BICSc continues to strive to achieve environmental goals and its sustainability is demonstrated in numerous ways, including going paperless in its processes. By offering online, remote training, which negates need for travel is another approach which offers online options for cleaning candidates.

“It is more sustainable to offer online training from numerous aspects because for training purposes you are filming once, using chemicals once, rather than using chemicals time and again when demonstrating the same training processes with in-person training day after day. It all has a positive impact in the long run. 

“Also training on the job, using the more commercially viable ways BICSc are training, means that you are not necessarily getting somebody to mix chemicals purely for a training session - they could be mixing those chemicals to go and do their job and be assessed in a workplace setting. This means that you are not washing clothes or using more power, which also impacts carbon footprint.”

All the latest leading industry issues, new developments and improvements in sustainable processes will also be in the spotlight at the forthcoming BICSc Conference.

Neil Spencer-Cook, Group Managing Director at BICSc and Kelsey Hargreaves, Technical Manager at BICSc will be presenting two joint talks to delegates covering: 

• Sustainable Training - BICSc holds the importance of training at the heartbeat of all that we do, as we continue to champion the importance of training for the safety of the operative, we need to further look at training sustainably and what that may mean for the industry. Join us as we delve into sustainable training, looking at sustainable methodologies in the way we train, the materials we use to train with, the places we train and the impact all of this has on the most important factor: the candidate. Training is imperative for the success and standard of a cleaning service and doing that sustainably is non-negotiable. What changes could you make?

• Working towards a sustainable workforce for the industry - Changes and concerns around the future workforce of the industry has become a ‘hot’ topic among cleaning and FM professionals. It is imperative for the future of the industry that we initiate a way to introduce a new upcoming workforce, as without it, we risk an industry losing valuable skills and knowledge that will leave with the leaders that innovated the industry. We know the problem; how do we fix it? What are we doing to fix it? What else can we do? BICSc will explore working towards a sustainable workforce in all things recruitment and retention.

Additional conference highlights include - A Sustainable Future – the importance of the products and services will be a presentation delivered by Craig Bowman, Commercial Director, Kimberly-Clark Professional UK & Ireland. The presentation will look, as we move to a sustainable future, at the importance of the products and services being used should not be overlooked.

Craig will focus on the fact that we do not live in a world of infinite resources, so products need to do more with less. Choosing products that are designed with sustainability – or even circularity – in mind can help reduce carbon emissions, reduce waste, and increase cost savings. Delegates will be able to find out more about how to make sustainable product choices.

Additional presentations by industry leading experts will cover a wide range of topics including:

• A sustainable future with the CHSA
• The future of the industry and recognition for retention
• Sustainable ways forward – an introduction to technology led cleaning
• Sustainable Cleaning Chemicals
• Sustainable Cleaning

At the second conference BICSc has run at the event, the Institute will seek to highlight how training, ensuring people are trained professionally and passing skills on is another approach to sustainability and instilling sustainability goals into the professional cleaning community’s worldwide workforce. 

Neil added: “This is the second conference that BICSc has run at this event and at this year’s comprehensive conference we welcome the opportunity to talk to professionals within the industry to be able to share knowledge and address current industry issues and important topics impacting the sector.

“The BICSc team is looking forward to engaging with fellow professionals from the industry, sharing information and finding out how the latest developments within the professional cleaning community are affecting our members and fellow professionals. 

“However, it is about being realistic about sustainability, we all want the best for our planet, and we all know the impact of climate change but sustainability is more than that, be realistic with it and lets work collectively as we all have the same goal. Ultimately your sustainability comes from recognising your talent, using your talent to pass on their knowledge and ensuring that the future is there moving forward.”

For more information visit https://www.bics.org.uk/the-cleaning-excellence-conference-awards/