More than 70% of the cleaning professionals surveyed in the research stated that the rising cost of doing business had the greatest impact on their operations in 2024, with almost 90% believing it will remain a significant factor in 2025. This points to a more sustained challenge than originally anticipated, given that only a third of cleaning businesses had previously predicted price increases over 2024.

Many respondents attribute new financial burdens to the change of government, with almost half (45%) stating that the new administration has had a negative or very negative impact on the cleaning sector. The most significant obstacles cited were increases to the minimum wage and Employer National Insurance contributions, with 84% and 88% of respondents respectively indicating these will have a serious impact on their day-to-day operations.

Despite these pressures, sustainability continues to play a critical role in shaping the industry’s future. Over 80% of respondents confirmed the importance of sustainability to the sector, with the effectiveness of sustainable cleaning products cited as the foremost priority. Reducing plastic waste also continues to be a key issue, with 60% of professionals citing it as a concern in the research, a 5% increase from last year. 

However, the research also highlighted that only a third of customers are prepared to pay more for ecofriendly solutions, indicating that businesses must deliver on both sustainability and value. Indeed, ‘demonstrating value for money’ was identified as the biggest overall trend for 2025 by almost half of respondents (46%). 

Robert Scott has helped pave the way for solutions that strike this balance between cost savings and environmental responsibility. This includes the new Ecofibre Compostable Wipe, a 100% plastic-free cloth made from natural fibres offered at a price point comparable to other non-woven wipes. The company is also moving products from virgin plastic to recycled content across much of its range, without any impact on prices. 

In addition, the company’s innovative Toucan Eco range creates a 100% natural disinfectant from water and salt to eliminate the need for costly and harmful chemical products, while maintaining performance on a par with traditional cleaning agents. 

Another emerging area of innovation with the potential to deliver significant efficiency gains – and one that is increasingly on the radar for industry professionals – is robotics. Indeed, more than half (56%) of respondents believe that robotic cleaning machines will have a notable impact on the industry within the next five years.

Alastair Scott, sales director at Robert Scott, commented: “The cleaning industry has always adapted to shifting market pressures, and this year’s findings show that the sector remains determined and forward-thinking in the face of economic headwinds. Cost challenges and policy changes are real, but it’s encouraging to see businesses respond proactively and continue to seek out smarter, more efficient ways of working.”

The research also explored customer satisfaction levels with Robert Scott, which celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2025. An impressive 91% of respondents rated Robert Scott’s service as good or great, with a similar percentage expressing satisfaction with product availability and 95% product recommendation.

Alastair concluded: “We’re very proud that the industry rates our service offering and product availability so highly. As we enter our centenary year, our focus will remain on delivering solutions that improve cleaning efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and provide tangible value for our customers.”

For more information, visit: www.robert-scott.co.uk/

Tel: 01457 819400

Developed as an alternative to traditional synthetic options, the wipe is made entirely from compostable fibres sourced from PEFC-certified wood pulp and meets EN 13432:2000-12 standards for compostability. 

Once used, the wipe can simply be rinsed and disposed of alongside food waste, where it will biodegrade harmlessly. Even the packaging is designed with sustainability in mind, with PLA bags made from compostable bioplastics and cartons from FSC-certified recycled sources.

Despite its significant environmental benefits, the Ecofibre Compostable Wipe makes no sacrifices in terms of commercial cleaning effectiveness. Its open weave design makes it easy to rinse, it absorbs up to eight times its own weight in water and is machine washable. 

In addition, the wipe is colour-coded for improved hygiene and food contact compliant, making it safe for use in professional food preparation areas. 

Alastair Scott, Sales Director at Robert Scott, said: “With ever increasing levels of plastic waste polluting our oceans and microplastics entering the food chain, it's crucial to find sustainable alternatives. 

“Our new Ecofibre Compostable Wipe addresses this need by providing a natural fibre cloth that doesn't compromise on performance or affordability. It’s a step towards a more circular economy in the cleaning sector and greener planet for us all, with disposed of wipes biodegrading into compost, which in turn is used to grow more trees.”

The Ecofibre Compostable Wipe is available in four colours – blue, red, green, and yellow – sized at 40 x 32 cm, and comes in packs of 10 x 50. To place an order, request a sample or arrange a demonstration, call 01457 819400, email info@robert-scott.co.uk or visit www.robert-scott.co.uk. 

P-Wave is the UK market leader in air freshener and urinal products, with its product range, including the highly popular P-Wave Slant6 and Trough Urinal Screens, renowned for their powerful, long-lasting fragrance. Its products are used in various sectors, from hospitality to healthcare, where P-Wave works in partnership with NHS England supporting its vital ‘Blood in your pee?’ cancer awareness campaign via its products.

The brand’s range will complement and strengthen Robert Scott’s existing washroom portfolio, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge washroom solutions to its customers.

Alastair Scott, sales director at Robert Scott, said: "We’re always looking to add innovative brands that can help us enhance our position in the market and offering to our customers. P-Wave is a brand we have long admired and fits that bill perfectly.

“It has built a strong reputation for innovation and quality in the washroom sector, and we see great potential to grow its market share and commercial success even further. Our aim is to integrate the high-performance product range with our established distribution channels, to extend the reach of the brand to new audiences and deliver even more value to our customers."

The purchase of the brand additionally aligns with Robert Scott’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2045. All P-Wave products contain up to 15% recycled materials and many also incorporate the ground-breaking EcoPure additive, which significantly accelerates biodegradation in the event they end up in landfill.

www.robert-scott.co.uk

 

The new 80 litre capacity Procycle Recycling Bin, featuring lid and back panel, is a versatile, cost-effective, and customisable system designed to support businesses in complying with evolving waste management requirements – including new and upcoming legislation across Wales and England. 

Recent legislation in Wales mandates all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations to sort their waste for recycling so it is kept separate throughout processing. Similarly, in England the Government has recently announced comprehensive reforms to boost recycling rates and protect the environment. These include a standardised approach to recycling across the country, requiring most businesses to implement new recycling practices by March 2025.

The Procycle Recycling Bin 80L enables easy adaptation to various recycling requirements by making it simpler for organisations to manage and separate their waste effectively and sustainably. 

The modular system includes connectors so users can build bespoke multi-recycling stations tailored to their specific needs, with colour coded back panels for seven different waste streams. These waste streams include glass bottles and jars; food tins and drinks cans; mixed card; food waste; plastic packaging; general waste; and mixed recycling. 

Alastair Scott, sales director at Robert Scott, commented: "We’re committed to developing innovative solutions that meet our customers' needs and contribute to a sustainable future. The Procycle Recycling Bin has been developed based on our strong understanding of market demand and requirements, alongside our dedication to improving waste management practices across various sectors.”

“With the recent legislation in Wales and upcoming changes across England, the new system provides an effective solution for businesses to stay ahead of regulations and enhance their recycling efforts."

Other innovative and user-friendly features of the system include apertures at the front of the bin to attach waste bags. A hinged lid also allows for the disposal of larger items and offers an open bin option for added convenience. The bin is crafted from durable polypropylene, ensuring it is easy to clean while maintaining its functionality and appearance.

The Procycle Recycling Bin 80L is available now. For more information or to arrange a demo, please call 01457 819400, email info@robert-scott.co.uk or visit robert-scott.co.uk. 

The bio-cleaning system marks a significant leap forward in sustainable commercial cleaning, offering a robust solution for operators of medium to large facilities aiming to reduce their chemical use and environmental footprint. Toucan Eco Auto is an automated disinfectant generator, capable of producing 20 litres of multipurpose disinfectant cleaner in just 30 minutes using just salt and water. 
 
Designed for direct dispensing into containers for comprehensive surface cleaning, the fully automatic system simplifies operations by requiring only the periodic refilling of salt as indicated by its LED display. 
 
This innovation not only enhances the efficiency of cleaning regimes while saving money, but also helps companies to reduce their carbon footprint by eliminating the need for up to 80% of conventional cleaning chemicals, as well as their associated single-use plastic bottles, packaging, and manufacturing and transportation emissions.

An independent carbon footprint audit has indicated that producing one litre of ready-to-use solution with Toucan Eco Auto generates the equivalent of just 3.07g CO2. To put this into context, this means that five litres of activated solution can be created with the system for the same carbon emissions as one boiled kettle. 
 
Steve Courtney, product lead for Toucan Eco at Robert Scott, said: "The Toucan Eco range is at the forefront of sustainable commercial cleaning innovation. With the introduction of Toucan Eco Auto, we're catering to the demands of busier environments where quick, effective, and environmentally conscious cleaning solutions are paramount. This addition to the range highlights our commitment to providing versatile and sustainable cleaning solutions across various sectors."
 
The British-made system uses a specialised electrolysis cell to activate a mixture of salt and water with a small electrical current, producing a powerful combination of hypochlorous acid (an effective disinfectant) and sodium hypochlorite (a cleaning agent). The result is a potent yet naturally occurring disinfectant cleaner that is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, and effective against a broad spectrum of germs with an efficacy rate of up to 99.999%.
 
Certified to EN 14476, EN 16777, EN 1276, and EN 13697 standards, and registered as a UK biocide, the cleaning solution boasts a pH level of approximately 7.8 to 8.5, making it gentle yet effective without the need for protective clothing or PPE.
 
Despite its substantial output capacity, the Toucan Eco Auto boasts a compact design, making it an ideal addition to various commercial settings. Measuring 48x25x65 cm and weighing 25kg, it offers an unobtrusive, powerful, and sustainable cleaning solution.

For more information visit https://www.robert-scott.co.uk

The latest addition to the company’s innovative Toucan Eco range, Centrego Renew has been developed in response to customer demand for enhanced choice and versatility in its sustainable cleaning solutions. 

Compared to the one litre capacity of the existing Toucan Eco Worktop, Centrego Renew enables users to create double the amount of disinfectant cleaner, helping increase efficiency and reduce downtime of cleaning regimes. The UK-designed product is also significantly sturdier and more durable, making it the perfect solution for busy small to medium spaces. 

The hypoallergenic disinfectant produced by Centrego Renew replaces the need for up to 80% of cleaning chemicals, as well as the single use plastic bottles they come in. Centrego Renew makes fast-acting cleaning fluid in just four minutes, or eight minutes for double strength solution. Any surplus solution reverts to its original state which can be safely disposed of down the sink. 

Steve Courtney, product lead for Toucan Eco at Robert Scott, commented: "The Toucan Eco range represents a truly revolutionary step in sustainable commercial cleaning. It’s proven hugely popular with customers and it’s always been important for us to continue working with the industry to understand their needs and keep updating the range to meet that demand.

“Centrego Renew is the result of this ongoing dialogue. It’s much more versatile than its predecessor and makes the Toucan Eco range an even more compelling proposition for businesses looking to make more sustainable choices. Indeed, by swapping harsh chemical cleaners for Centrego Renew, businesses can significantly improve their carbon footprint without compromising on results.”

The Centrego Renew has already been trialled by a number of existing customers, including The Restaurant Group (TRG), one of the UK’s largest hospitality groups. TRG has used the Toucan Eco system since 2021 and saved 2.7 tonnes of plastic packaging and 35,000 tonnes of chemical distribution in its first year of use alone. It recently phased Centrego Renew in across its sites.

The cleaning solution produced by Centrego Renew is 99.99% water, hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite and is certified to EN 14476, EN 16777, EN 1276 and EN 13697 standards. It is also registered as a UK biocide. The pH of the solution is around a 7.8 to 8.5 so it’s not aggressive like bleach and, as it’s safe, you don’t need protective clothing or PPE. It’s simple to make onsite using the device and takes a matter of minutes for the electrolysis process to convert the salt water to a powerful but safe disinfectant cleaner.

For more information or to arrange a demo, please call 01457 819400, email info@robert-scott.co.uk or visit robert-scott.co.uk. 

It’s critical from a reputational and customer care point of view that washrooms are checked, cleaned and disinfected regularly during business hours to maintain cleanliness and hygiene requirements. This will generally require thorough cleaning once per day, plus regular spot checks throughout the day to ensure surfaces are clean and clear and that the room looks and smells fresh. 

Maintaining a clean space 

Because of their regular usage, washroom facilities will naturally require significant cleaning – both regular daily cleans and less frequent deep cleans to tackle everything from grout to ventilation grilles. 

Maintaining a clean space is important for controlling the spread of germs and bacteria, so an effective washroom hygiene regime should include dedicated equipment and products for cleaning each part of the room, from top to bottom, as well as those hard-to-reach areas around washroom facilities. 

Ensuring fresh, clean air

Ensuring a supply of clean, fresh air helps maintain hygienic washrooms. Air fresheners will only mask odours and give an impression of freshness, but new developments in air care allow for the decontamination of air in the room. 

The BSG AirCare range offers a chemical-free way to improve air quality, remove odours and germs, and also disinfect air and surfaces. These units effectively remove germs and odours using chemical-free, UVC light technology. They simultaneously produce purifying ozone-based photoplasma disinfection, to improve overall air quality and reduce organic matter – both on surfaces and in the air.

The range was designed for washrooms and hard to reach areas but can be used in any space that requires decontamination and will cover spaces of any size. 

Supporting an ESG agenda

For many cleaning businesses, ESG (environmental, social and governance) demands are shaping their product sourcing and implementation decisions. A huge number of UK cleaning businesses say that ESG is important – four in five businesses surveyed by Robert Scott said that sustainability was important to their business, with 34% saying it was the biggest cleaning trend of the year. 

With 78% of cleaning businesses ranking sustainability as being much more important to their customers in 2023, compared with just 51% who said the same in 2022, the growing importance of this trend if clear to see. 

Choosing eco-friendly cleaning solutions is a natural way to support ESG ambitions within a business, and the BSG AirCare range is a clear fit. Significantly more sustainable than traditional cleaning methods, this natural solution has been shown to deliver a 70% reduction of micro-organisms in the air and can destroy viruses including influenza, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, as well as bacteria, mould, and other micro-contaminants.

It’s important to select the right sized units to suit the size of the washroom. Ranging from 10-20m3 up to rooms sizes of 30- 50m3, choosing the right solution is key to ensuring optimum cleaning and purification.

Post pandemic, public expectations for washrooms to be safe and hygienic have understandably increased. Meanwhile, the effort to improve sustainability in all areas of our lives and specifically, in business, has been placed under a spotlight.

Encouragingly, as the future of washrooms looks to become smarter and more high-tech, the opportunity for businesses to improve the effectiveness of cleaning and reduce the spread of germs, all while gaining green credentials, becomes a much greater possibility.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Robert Scott’s range of sustainable products contact our Clean Team on 01457 819400, or email info@robert-scott.co.uk

Cobotics is short for collaborative robotics, referring to robots that are intended for direct interaction with humans. It’s an area that Robert Scott has recently moved into, becoming the UK’s primary distributor of Metabots – including the Meta-Scrub 60, an efficient autonomous scrubber dryer. 

What is cobotics and why is it important?

Like robotics, cobotics relies on an automated solution to do the manual labour. But unlike purely robotic solutions, cobots sees robots and humans combine to deliver the ultimate result. Cobotics offer a solution to nationwide staff shortages in cleaning. By taking care of cleaning large, open spaces, machine cleaning frees up human time for spot cleaning, disinfecting, deep cleaning and so on - places where a human touch is needed or areas where a machine can’t reach effectively.

This is particularly relevant for cleaning businesses with contracts or service level agreements which are facing concerns over staff availability. Cobotics present a natural solution, while also helping to upskill existing staff, in turn supporting employee retention and preventing even more significant resourcing pressures in future. 

We anticipate a significant growth in popularity for these intelligent cobotic machines. Designed with the optimum performance in mind, they are easy to operate and deliver a sparkling clean finish – perfect for floorcare and particularly over large areas like retail spaces, hospitality, airports, educational facilities and more. 

Transparent reporting provides a reliable information log specifying what area was cleaned and when – helpful for internal processes and also for providing a value add to the end customer. 

The ability to monitor and direct the cobot remotely via phone, tablet or desktop gives supervisors and operators the opportunity to perform other tasks while maintaining oversight over the machines that are under their stewardship

How well do they clean?

When it comes to floorcare, we know how important it is to deliver impeccable results. Floors must be properly cleaned and dried to deliver a quality finish, without creating slip and trip hazards from wet or slippery floors. 

Cobotics deliver this in the same way as any other premium floor care device, but with a key difference: they can handle the entire process, including waste water disposal, leaving your teams to get on with other jobs. 

The Meta-Scrub 60, for example, includes different attachments that can scrub, mop, sweep, polish and dry a floor surface. 

The Meta-Scrub 60 was developed with cleaning in mind. The manufacturer, Metabots, has a background in cleaning, ensuring that efficacy was the number one concern. This focus on cleaning outcomes is combined with cutting-edge technology which allows it to detect objects as small as 5cm, dynamic obstacle avoidance and a zero-degree turning circle to access narrow areas.

Training and maintenance

Bringing new technology on board will undoubtedly require training. Robert Scott’s Cobotic division provides product training and installation - we will set up the machine for your space, including showing supervisors how to amend its mapping tool should a space be changed – for example, with the addition of a pop up structure. 

When it comes to maintenance, simple regular interventions will keep the machine in good health – quick checks like wiping and inspecting attachments, flushing out the hose and emptying the filter are all that’s required between services. 

Environmental impact

Cobotic solutions will generally use less product and water than a traditional floor cleaning approach, thus helping cleaning managers reduce their environmental impact. In fact, some require no water whatsoever, using  bacteria-removing microfibre to clean floors. This helps reduce slip risks as well as cutting down on waste water usage. 

In addition to this, modern battery charging approaches mean that powering cobotics can cost as little as 35p per hour, with the battery life reaching as long as 20 hours.

Cleaning and hygiene operatives are an increasingly valuable resource. Their unique skills can be put to great use on those tasks that deliver the greatest impact, complemented perfectly by cobotic solutions.

For more information, please visit www.metabots.uk or email hello@metabots.uk

The rate of innovation in the cleaning sector is rapid, driven by vast investment in research and development combined with a surge in demand for greater efficacy and modern solutions that reduce the environmental impact of everyday cleaning practices. 

Innovations in cleaning technology have resulted in everything from robotic solutions helping automate the process of cleaning, to the use of ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. The Covid-19 pandemic naturally increased demand on the cleaning sector to deliver antibacterial solutions that could be deployed at scale, prompting additional R&D. 

Robert Scott has been at the forefront of cleaning and hygiene innovations for decades, keeping the role of janitorial services current. During the pandemic, we looked at ways we could improve cleaners’ ways of working – automation, for example – as well as investing in new technologies that drive sustainable cleaning forward. A great example of this is the Toucan Eco cleaning system, which uses tap water, normal salt and an electrical charge to produce an antibacterial solution. The solution can be made on-demand and disposed of safely with waste water, reducing single use plastic consumption in the form of plastic bottles and preventing harm to waterways through chemical disposal.  

One area of particular focus in recent years has been air quality – again, the pandemic forced this issue into the spotlight, but it remains a pertinent concern. Air purifiers have grown in popularity; our own Mini PowerZone and AirCare range has proven to be a success. It offers a chemical-free way to improve air quality, remove odours and germs, and disinfect air and surfaces. Using UVC light technology along with ozone and photoplasma disinfection, it kills airborne respiratory viruses, removes bad odours and destroys bacteria. 

The AirCare range is designed for washrooms and hard to reach areas while the more powerful Mini PowerZone can be used in any space that requires a fast decontamination. We’re always keen to make sure products are multifunctional where possible to ensure the greatest value for money for customers – and the ranges are effective at removing odours, germs and other pollutants.

Odour removal remains a key trend as customers continue to demand freshness. Our Oxygen-Pro technology delivers continual fragrance into the air without the use of aerosols, reducing chemical consumption while creating a stream of fresh-smelling air. It uses a precision oil delivery system based on a fuel cell technology and projects fragrance from concentrated oil into the room. Because it doesn’t use aerosols, it’s free from CFCs, VOCs and propellants. 

Oxygen-Pro is a great example of how innovation has delivered a solution that is reliable, long-lasting, cost-effective and eco-friendly. 

Sustainability and ESG are incredibly important to Robert Scott, and our customer insight shows that they’re just as important to our customer base. A huge 78 per cent of our customers told us that sustainability was very or somewhat important to their customers’ businesses. Meanwhile, 34 per cent said that they expected sustainability to be the biggest trend in cleaning in 2023 and 27 per cent said plastic waste reduction would be the dominant trend. 

As these trends show no signs of slowing, Robert Scott will continue to invest in cleaning innovation that meets sustainability targets and helps our customers meet their own ESG goals. It’s important to us that we continue to be the manufacturer that leads the way in sustainable cleaning innovation and supports customers in their drive to find the products that will truly deliver on reducing their environmental impact. 

For more information about Robert Scott’s full range please call 01457 819400, email info@robert-scott.co.uk or visit robert-scott.co.uk

The data, revealed by cleaning manufacturer and distributor, Robert Scott, shows that 78% of cleaning businesses surveyed expect the sustainability of their products and business practices to top the list of their customers’ priorities this year. 

By comparison, in 2022 around half (51%) of respondents said that sustainability would be very or somewhat important to their customers. 

Alastair Scott, sales director at Robert Scott, said: “Sustainability remains an incredibly important customer demand for cleaning businesses and it’s interesting to observe such a considerable jump in the number of organisations admitting that it will be of increasing importance to their customers this year. 

“This is extremely encouraging for our sector, which has historically been one of the biggest contributors to waste and contamination. We’ve made it a priority to inform and educate our customers on ways to reduce their environmental impact, as well as investing in innovation to bring new products to market with greater sustainable benefits. It’s clear to see the impact that collectively building a greater awareness of sustainability is having on manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and their customers across the board.”

When asked what the most important trends for the cleaning industry are likely to be in the next year, over a third (34%) of businesses said sustainable cleaning, while 27% cited reducing plastic waste.

However, a majority of respondents (68%) said that demonstrating value for money would be the biggest priority in the coming year. “Given the current economic climate, it’s not surprising that businesses expect value for money to be a dominating trend,” added Alastair. “This will need to be well-balanced with wider trends towards increased sustainability by highlighting the long-term value for money that can be achieved by reducing environmental impact. 

“Products that have strong sustainability credentials and, most importantly, evidence of green claims are likely to be more appealing to customers in the first instance. Demonstrating value for money comes when products can be incorporated into circular business models to reduce waste and keep valuable materials in supply chains, for example. 

“Products with improved durability and longevity will also make a compelling value proposition for customers, while providing an opportunity for businesses to engage with end users. This is where training and education can be offered to customers as added value to ensure reusable products are being used effectively to last longer and maintain optimum cleaning and hygiene standards,” Alastair concluded.

For more information visit www.robert-scott.co.uk/