For those responsible for workplace health or facilities, it's not typically a problem that feels feasible (or within their powers) to fix - however that may not be entirely true.

Keeping pollen out

The most obvious thing an air conditioning system does during pollen season is justify keeping the windows shut. That sounds trivial, until you consider that pollen counts peak in the early morning and late afternoon - the exact windows when staff are arriving, leaving, and when meeting rooms fill up with people who've just come in from outside.

A sealed, air-conditioned office gradually clears the air as it recirculates through the unit's filters. Over a full working day, that difference is noticeable for anyone with moderate to severe symptoms. Staff who'd otherwise be reaching for antihistamines every few hours, or working from home to avoid the potential spike in symptoms, may function better.

It's also worth identifying this within an employer’s legal obligations. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to maintain a working environment that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health. Hayfever rarely features in risk assessments, but for employees whose symptoms are severe enough to affect their capacity to work safely - operating machinery, driving, working at height - airborne allergen exposure is a legitimate consideration, not just a comfort issue.

Humidity and the mould problem

Many commercial AC units can run in dehumidifier mode, and this is where things get relevant beyond the summer months. Mould spores are a year-round allergen, and UK office buildings - particularly older stock, basements, or poorly ventilated areas - can sustain the damp conditions mould needs to spread. Facilities teams often address visible mould reactively, but maintaining indoor humidity between 40 and 60 per cent reduces the underlying conditions before growth becomes visible.

Staff with asthma tend to be more affected by mould spores than pollen, so a system that runs dehumidification through autumn and winter is doing something useful long after hayfever season ends. If your site has recurring respiratory complaints that don't follow the seasonal pattern, humidity levels are worth checking before assuming the cause is something else.

When the system makes things worse

A poorly maintained AC unit can actively worsen air quality. Filters that haven't been cleaned accumulate pollen, dust, mould spores and particles brought in on clothing - then push them back out across the office when the unit runs. If people in a particular area consistently feel worse when the air conditioning is on, a clogged filter is almost always where the investigation should start.

Placement is an important factor as well, particularly in open-plan environments. Units positioned close to entry doors or windows pull in more external air around seals and gaps, which limits how much filtering work they can realistically do. Where there's flexibility, intake positioning away from high-traffic entry points makes a practical difference.

This presents a strong case for regular, scheduled maintenance, rather than waiting for complaints. Most manufacturers recommend filter cleaning every four to six weeks during heavy-use periods, with a full service before each season. HVAC maintenance logs are worth including in routine health and safety audit checks - if a respiratory complaint later raises questions, documented maintenance history matters.

What to look for

If hayfever is a recurring issue for a noticeable number of staff, a brief audit of existing HVAC provision is a reasonable starting point. Key questions to ask are whether filters are being cleaned on schedule, whether units appropriately sized for the spaces they serve, and whether there are areas of the building where staff consistently report worse symptoms, which might point to coverage gaps or ventilation problems.

Tthree-function models - cooling, dehumidification, and fan-only - give the most flexibility across the year. Quieter units are worth prioritising for meeting rooms and focus areas where noise becomes a genuine productivity issue.

The broader point

Air conditioning in UK workplaces gets evaluated almost entirely on thermal comfort. Pollen season is a useful prompt to look at what the existing infrastructure is - or isn't - doing for air quality more broadly. A system that's well-specified, well-placed, and actually maintained is doing more occupational health work than most people credit it for.

In many commercial buildings, waste services are defined by landlords, managing agents or occupiers. In some cases, cleaning firms do hold the waste contract, but in many others, they don’t. Collection schedules are agreed, contracts are signed, and responsibility is considered accounted for.

But when those systems don’t reflect how a building actually operates, it’s not always the contract holder who feels it first, but the cleaning team.

The hidden burden on cleaning teams

On paper, waste and cleaning are often treated as separate services. However, in reality, theyare tightly linked operationally.

Cleaning teams are the ones dealing with overflowing bins when collections don’t align with demand. They are the ones managing contamination issues, responding to complaints, and keeping waste areas functional when systems break down. They are expected to make the system work, even when they don’t control how it has been designed or contracted. This creates a disconnect.

Cleaning teams are often held accountable for outcomes they don’t fully control. Without clear visibility of what is actually happening across the building, they are left to manage that pressure reactively.

When assumption replaces evidence

Most waste services are built around expectation rather than reality. Schedules are based on what a building is assumed to generate, not what it actually produces day to day, whether across landlord-controlled areas or within occupier demised spaces.

But buildings aren’t static. Occupancy changes, tenants come and go and food provision evolves. Events create spikes in waste that fixed schedules simply don’t account for.

Without accurate data, these changes go unseen, until they become a problem. Bins overflow, contamination increases and additional collections are requested at short notice. Once again, it’s the cleaning team that absorbs the impact.

The cost of reactive operations

When waste systems don’t align with real usage, cleaning teams are forced into reactive working.

Instead of following structured routines, they are forced into reactive working, from making additional bin runs, to clearing overflows, redistributing waste between streams, and responding to complaints and last-minute issues. This isn’t just inefficient; it pulls time and resource away from core cleaning duties.

At the same time, labour is often deployed evenly across a building, despite waste generation varying significantly between areas. Some spaces require far more attention than others, but without visibility, resource remains misaligned.

For cleaning firms, this becomes a hidden cost. Additional labour is absorbed, teams are stretched and margins are quietly eroded by a problem that doesn’t always sit within their contract, but still impacts their day-to-day operations.

Blame without full control

Perhaps the biggest challenge is accountability. Cleaning teams are often the first to be challenged when contamination levels rise, bin areas become unmanageable, or service levels appear to drop. Yet they don’t always control the conditions driving those outcomes, such as the waste contract, collection frequency, tenant behaviour, or how waste is segregated at source.

These teams are expected to deliver outcomes without always having the tools or visibility to influence them effectively. Over time, this creates frustration on site and makes what should be a structured service feel unpredictable and difficult to manage.

Turning waste into something manageable

This is where accurate waste data becomes critical not just as a reporting tool, but as an operational one. When cleaning teams and supervisors can see where waste is coming from, how volumes vary across a building, and which streams are driving pressure or cost, they can begin to shift from reactive firefighting to planned, proactive working.

Labour can be targeted where it’s needed most and waste issues can be addressed at source, rather than repeatedly managed at the bin store. Patterns, whether linked to tenant activity, seasonal changes or events, become predictable.

That predictability changes everything. When I was working in commercial cleaning, in one multi-tenant building, we noted that cleaning teams were regularly being pulled in to respond to bin overflows and contamination issues, despite following agreed processes.

When waste data was introduced, it became clear that spikes in waste were linked to specific tenant activity and peak usage periods, not cleaning performance. With that visibility, issues could be addressed at source, reducing reactive workload and improving day-to-day working conditions for the team.

It allows cleaning firms to challenge outdated collection schedules, reduce unnecessary disruption, and have more informed conversations with clients and waste providers, whether or not they directly hold the waste contract. Most importantly, it gives teams on site a clearer, more controlled way of working.

A commercial issue, not a “green extra”

Waste is often positioned as a sustainability topic, but for cleaning firms, it is fundamentally an operational and commercial one.

In multi-occupier buildings, where responsibility is often split between landlord-managed areas and individual occupiers, and where cleaning firms may or may not hold the waste contract, the lack of clarity only increases the pressure on cleaning teams to bridge the gap.

As competition increases and margins tighten, firms can’t afford to carry inefficiencies they can’t see or quantify. Being able to demonstrate a clear understanding of waste flows, and how they impact labour and service delivery, shows operational maturity. It creates a stronger position in tenders, supports better client conversations, and helps protect margin.

At the same time, it improves the day-to-day experience for cleaning teams. When systems are aligned with reality, there is less firefighting, less frustration, and more focus on delivering a consistent, high-quality service.

Keeping it practical

My time working in commercial cleaning was where I first saw this challenge. Waste was a constant pressure point, but one that very few buildings had real visibility of. Cleaning teams were expected to manage it, but without the information needed to do so effectively.

The starting point was simple, measure what was actually happening, and make it visible.That thinking became the foundation for, GreenScope, Green Space Innovations’ practical way to track waste at source and turn it into something usable for the people managing it day to day.

But the principle is broader than any one solution. Waste data only has value if it helps teams on site work more effectively, simplifying operations, not complicating them.

Bringing waste back under control

Cleaning teams play a central role in how buildings function. But when it comes to waste, they are often managing a system they didn’t design, don’t always control, and can’t fully see. That lack of visibility creates inefficiency, increases pressure, and erodes margin over time.

Accurate waste data changes that, by bringing clarity to a part of the operation that has traditionally been managed on assumption. It allows cleaning teams to plan, rather than react. And it gives firms the confidence to challenge inefficiencies that have long been accepted as “just part of the job.”

Waste might not always sit within the cleaning contract, but until it is properly understood and measured, its impact will continue to sit firmly within it.

Nicky Rifat is CEO at Green Space Innovations

For more information, visit greenspaceinnovations.co.uk/

THE GOOD weather has finally arrived and with it, the need for clean streets and outdoor spaces.

Street cleaning is hugely important for the wellbeing of local communities and any areas used by the public. As well as ensuring an area looks smart, cleaning is essential for maintaining safety.

Regular cleaning means there are no hazards from litter and fallen tree debris, and it also removes potentially slippy leaves, stones and gravel which can cause accidents to pedestrians or damage to cars and bikes. It removes dust so improves air quality, prevents drains from getting blocked so reduces the risk of flooding, supports wildlife and benefits the local community by boosting the appearance, appeal and overall value of an area.

Data reveals that, overall, street cleaning is managed well in the UK. Statistics from 42 English authorities show that over 95% of inspected sites were categorised as having an acceptable level of cleanliness. Local councils manage street cleaning and sweeping on a regular basis with an ongoing agreed schedule, but in areas of high footfall, or during periods of wet and windy weather, it can be necessary to look at increasing the cleaning frequency of paths, smaller streets and parks.

This is where a product such as Monty Miracle can come in. We are used by groundspeople, local authorities, private tradespeople and outdoor cleaning firms all over the UK, in areas as varied as smaller private residential settings to large public parking facilities, sportsgrounds and transport hubs. Our customers know that a quick-acting liquid cleaner with a gentle action on the underlying surface is the right choice for lifting dirt, grime and surface staining from their hardscaped areas.

Street cleaning in larger areas will include mechanical sweeping and brushing. The UK climate, with its wet weather even in the summer months, means surfaces accumulate dirt, debris and staining quickly, and they can begin to look tired and worn. Routine mechanical maintenance - sweeping, brushing and removing surface debris from joints and gaps - is an essential part of the regime, alongside a thorough surface clean to lift accumulated dirt, grime and staining. It is vital that cleaning is done properly, and that different surfaces are cleaned gently to avoid damaging the materials beneath.

It is important to use the right kind of products to maintain and clean hardscaped areas like streets, as each surface differs and responds differently to cleaning. This is not just about getting paths looking good - it is also about caring for the materials used to create them so that they stay in good condition for the long term.

Brick maintenance

Brick streets, walls and paths take a long time to create and tend to last longer if they are maintained well. With more gaps and joints to consider, cleaning carefully is a must. Avoid using a jetwash, which can unsettle the grouting and damage the surface of the brick. Instead, use a gentle liquid cleaner. Regular brushing between the bricks is needed to prevent dirt and surface debris accumulating in the joints; a thorough liquid clean only needs to be carried out once or twice a year.

Natural stone

Natural stone street paving and paths will last for years. Limestone is the most commonly used and is created by a material - usually silicon - holding together lots of tiny grains. It tends to have a smoother surface and a more consistent colour. Slate is very durable but is susceptible to water damage, and as it has been formed in layers, the top layer needs to be cared for. Granite, as you would expect, is the toughest of the natural stones. Thermally stable, it is the least porous. While these stones all differ, they share the same quality: they need to be cared for and washed with a gentle approach to avoid damage.

Porcelain tiles

A modern take on the classic stone path, tiles can have a more uniform appearance and are relatively easy to maintain, so can be very suitable for high-traffic areas in commercial street scenes such as shopping centres. They are resistant to freezing and thawing, and are lightweight. However, they can be more brittle than natural stone and tend to be more expensive than concrete. They are more durable under harsher pressure but still need treating properly, and look best with a colour-coordinated render.

Concrete paving slabs

Concrete paving slabs can last for decades; it is an incredibly strong material. Easier to maintain, it simply requires regular brushing and care, with a one-off deep clean every year to lift accumulated dirt, debris and staining from the gaps and surface.

Tarmac and asphalt

Tarmac - or asphalt - is a very popular material used in streets, lanes and driveways. It is easy to use, cost-effective, and can look very smart, but it needs regular cleaning and maintenance. Grasses and weeds can establish through tiny gaps, which can cause structural problems, and the weather - particularly UV rays - can cause it to lose its integrity over time, as can heavy weights. Powerful jet washing is not recommended; a gentle approach works best.

Gentle cleaning

The best cleaning approach for many areas is often using a gentle cleaner. With less kit and less noise a small road, parking space or pathway can be cleaned quickly and easily without disruption. The first action is to clear the debris - fallen leaves, twigs and general rubbish or litter - and dispose of it properly, recycling wherever possible. Then, using a pump, apply a gentle liquid cleaner to your hard surface areas. Monty Miracle does not need to be applied several times, nor does it need to be scrubbed or jet washed. A little agitation to spread it round the surface activates the cleaning, and it can be rinsed off after just six to ten minutes -making it well-suited to busy areas that may be used by children and animals. The product’s surfactants are readily biodegradable, and when used as directed - including pre-watering adjacent grassed areas before rinsing - it is suitable for use near landscaped and grassed surfaces.

If you can, seal

Streets and paths need to be safe, so caring for surfaces after cleaning, well ahead of the dampest, coldest months of the year, is good planning. A strong sealant will lengthen the standard of the surface, prolonging the life of paths, patios and roads by forming a bond with the surface and providing stain resistance, repelling dirt and contaminants even on delicate surfaces like natural stone.

With proper cleaning and care, surfaces can remain stain-resistant for years, reducing the time spent on the task going forward. A deep clean once a year can be supplemented with regular sweeping and rinsing, helps ensure that paths, roads, drives and parking areas continue to look their best, remaining clean, well-maintained and safe for public use through the seasons.

Peter Beaumont is director at Monty Miracle

For more information, visit montymiracle.co.uk

RECYCLING AND sustainability can no longer be treated as an optional extra. Growing environmental scrutiny and tightening regulation are driving businesses across all sectors to take a more proactive approach.

It is against this backdrop that waste tracking and targeted digital technologies are emerging as essential tools, helping organisations manage compliance and operational costs without overstretching already lean resources. But can smarter data and more pragmatic technology deployment genuinely help bridge the gap between sustainability ambition and real-world impact?

Could digital adoption and circular thinking be the missing link between intent and impact?

The sustainability challenge facing modern operations

Organisations are expected to minimise waste, navigate increasingly complex recycling requirements and adhere to strict health, safety and environmental regulations while maintaining efficient, resilient services.

New rules on carbon reporting and plastic reduction are set to come into force this year, alongside the UK’s mandatory digital waste tracking initiative launching in October. This will require businesses to record waste movements throughout the supply chain with far greater accuracy and transparency.

Many organisations generate significant volumes of waste, including scrap materials, chemicals and single-use plastics. Those that can demonstrate strong environmental credentials are better positioned to secure high-value contracts and maintain long-term competitiveness.

Yet sustainability initiatives are often perceived as costly and complex to implement, with unclear returns. In reality, some of the most effective gains come from better visibility, smarter decision-making and incremental change.

Handling complex and ‘unusual’ waste streams

Beyond general waste, many operations encounter diverse materials and substances depending on their activities and the environments they support.

In addition to expired or redundant products, facilities may generate complex waste streams such as mercury or lead which require careful handling. Contamination also remains a concern, with residues from hazardous substances or infectious materials potentially present on surfaces, equipment or packaging.

These materials demand robust handling and disposal protocols. For example, mercury requires specialist containment and high-temperature treatment to prevent environmental release, while sharps and glass must be safely contained to minimise injury risks. Contaminated protective equipment must be securely segregated and treated to ensure no harmful residues enter wider waste streams.

Failure to manage such waste correctly can pose risks to human health, disrupt ecosystems and lead to regulatory penalties, reputational damage and wider environmental harm.

Implementing waste tracking 

The UK Government’s digital waste tracking initiative represents a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability.

By capturing accurate, real-time data on where waste originates, how it is transported and where it ends up, organisations can identify inefficiencies, reduce environmental impact and optimise resource use.

While tracking alone is not a complete solution, it provides the visibility needed to support more informed decision-making and practical, cost-effective sustainability strategies.

Leveraging technology for impact

Beyond tracking, targeted digital technologies are increasingly helping cleaning companies and professionals turn data into action. Cloud-based platforms, mobile reporting tools and integrated dashboards allow operators to monitor waste streams in real time, identify patterns and make adjustments before inefficiencies escalate. 

Importantly, adopting these solutions does not require a full-scale rollout from day one. Many organisations begin with pilot programmes focused on high-impact areas or the most costly waste streams. This approach enables early wins, supports process refinement and builds a strong case for wider implementation.

Smarter waste tracking and targeted digital tools go beyond compliance. They enable more informed, environmentally and financially sound decision-making by highlighting where waste is generated, how it flows through operations and where opportunities for reduction or reuse exist.

For example, Envirovue’s cloud-based portal enables managers to centralise data and oversee multiple waste streams within a single system. This ensures that hazardous materials are handled correctly and disposed of in line with regulations, while also allowing different types of wastewater to be separated and treated according to their specific requirements.

Prioritising people and process  

Technology alone cannot deliver meaningful change without engagement from employees, supported by clear processes and shared accountability.

Education plays a critical role. Teams must understand the importance of correct waste segregation and be equipped with the knowledge to identify and handle different materials appropriately. Training in waste identification, handling procedures and compliance requirements is essential.

Access to transparent data also allows organisations to benchmark performance, identify inefficiencies and embed continuous improvement. Over time, this fosters better decision-making and strengthens the link between day-to-day operations and environmental outcomes.

Cutting costs and avoiding fines

Poor waste management can lead to significant financial and reputational consequences, including fines, legal action and operational disruption.

Digital tracking systems provide clear visibility of waste streams and responsibilities, helping organisations maintain compliance and avoid costly errors. Accurate data reduces the risk of misclassification, improper disposal and emergency responses, all of which can drive up costs.

Ultimately, investing in waste tracking is not an added expense, it is a way to protect budgets, improve efficiency and support long-term operational resilience.

Looking ahead

As regulatory expectations increase and budgets remain under pressure, waste tracking and targeted digital tools offer a scalable pathway to more sustainable operations.

By starting small, focusing on high-impact areas and using data intelligently, organisations can demonstrate measurable progress without significant upfront investment - turning sustainability from a challenge into a strategic advantage.

Emma Cooke is operations manager at tech-specialist waste management firm Envirovue

For more information, visit envirovue.io 

It is no longer just about margin erosion, it is about eroding hours. Sustained vacancy pressure, wage inflation, and deepening skills shortages are shifting the conversation from supplementing workforces to ensuring operational continuity altogether.

Industry groups across Europe and beyond continue to warn of rising vacancies and a strained training pipeline, placing an ever-heavier burden on contract cleaners, FM specialists, and in-house estates teams.

For many facility and estates managers – particularly those overseeing office buildings, supermarkets, healthcare campuses, educational institutions, and hospitality environments – the debate has moved on. It is no longer a question of whether robotic floor care can perform functionally, but how quickly it can be deployed within the physical confines of a property's footprint, lease obligations, and regulatory framework.

This is precisely where MOVA intends to position itself as it enters the European market.

At Interclean Amsterdam 2026 (Hall 8, Stand 08.330), MOVA launched its full professional cleaning lineup based on a “Zero” deployment method. By decoupling robotics from fixed building infrastructure, MOVA is creating a paradigm shift in automation, transforming it from a costly retrofit project into a practical operational decision.

"The labour shortage in Europe isn't an HR problem – it's an operational crisis," says Boliang Xin, global president of MOVA Commercial Cleaning Robot. "MOVA turns that crisis into an opportunity by deploying 'Digital Employees' instantly. Automation should be simple, not a construction project.”

Removing the biggest barrier to autonomous floor care

Infrastructure remains one of the most significant hurdles facing autonomous floor care today. Most large-capacity robotic docking systems still rely on a permanent connection to a water source and drainage. This creates considerable friction in historically listed buildings, temporary lease environments, and sensitive healthcare estates. Wherever retrofits are required – involving external contractors, operational shutdowns, or landlord approvals – the process quickly becomes cumbersome and commercially unattractive.

Markets such as the UK offer a clear illustration of this challenge: NHS estates and listed commercial properties frequently encounter significant barriers to structural modification. MOVA's response is an all-in-one workstation utilising autonomous clean and waste tanks in place of fixed piping. In addition to the robot's standard 8L onboard water tank, the docking station is equipped with an extra 25L water tank, eliminating the requirement for permanent on-site plumbing and enabling up to eleven hours of continuous cleaning. For contractors, this reframes the conversation entirely: from retrofit capital expenditure to immediate service activation.

"Facility managers don't buy robots. They buy operational peace of mind," adds Xin. "For our partners, the MOVA advantage is clear: streamlined deployment, improved ROI, and optimised operational costs."

A fleet based on operational zones

The Interclean launch featured a four-machine line-up, reflecting the sector's broader move towards fleet deployments optimised for site-specific requirements:

• MOVA M3 (2D LiDAR): Designed for hotels, office buildings, and healthcare estates, this autonomous robot features a sweep-first, scrub-after process. It completes floor cleaning — including sweeping, scrubbing, vacuuming, and dust mopping – in a single pass with effective dry-wet separation. The workstation uses a large-capacity integrated water tank that requires no complex pipeline modifications.
• MOVA M3 Pro (3D LiDAR): Built for high-traffic, dynamic environments such as supermarkets, logistics sites, and industrial facilities, the M3 Pro shares the same integrated water tank system and single-pass cleaning capabilities as the standard M3, with the addition of 3D laser radar. This technology delivers advanced positional stability and reliable navigation performance across demanding commercial settings, including factories and warehouses.
• MOVA DP86/130 (The "Silent" Operator): A silent ride-on scrubber engineered for noise-sensitive, high-end venues including hospitals, schools, and premium hospitality. The DP86/130 features an ultra-low noise design with optimised acoustic performance, an integrated hypochlorous acid disinfection module for high-level sanitisation, and an IoT smart module enabling remote diagnostics and real-time cleaning records.
• MOVA DP35/16 (Agility for Narrow Spaces): A compact manual scrubber purpose-built for narrow and hard-to-reach areas such as washrooms, kitchens, and service corridors. Equipped with a 180° rotating brush head and a compact footprint, it offers a two-hour battery life — making it a practical and reliable choice for back-of-house and tight office spaces.

From cost centre to measurable KPI

One of the most significant transitions under way in the FM sector is the shift of cleaning from a hidden cost centre to a verifiable operational metric. The M3 integrates with a proprietary cloud-based IoT platform, giving clients real-time visibility of cleaning history, remote technical alerts, and on-demand fault diagnostics.
Every cleaning route and area cleaned is recorded. When it comes to Service Level Agreement (SLA) reporting and contract compliance, service teams can report back using evidence they have collected themselves, providing time-stamped "proof of clean" records that strengthen auditable reporting for clients.

For distribution partners, this creates tangible opportunities for service-related revenue streams, including predictive maintenance, software support, and fleet performance monitoring. MOVA has deliberately built its commercial model around uptime guarantees and after-sales services, rather than straightforward equipment sales.

Global channel opportunity

Beyond the product launch itself, MOVA used Interclean to drive its channel strategy. The business is actively seeking global distribution and service partners, with a particular focus on organisations already engaged in cleaning equipment supply, FM support, or technical aftercare.

Partners benefit from faster deployment times and significantly reduced installation complexity, gaining a commercially attractive route to market in robotics without the need for prior infrastructure investment.

"We're not just looking for resellers," emphasises Xin. "We're looking for active, long-term partners who can deliver ROI on the ground. At Interclean, we're offering distributors the chance to test our machines, evaluate profitability, and build a sustainable business model with healthy margins and streamlined deployment."

Market entering next phase

Professional cleaning automation is no longer an emerging trend, it is an operational response to workforce constraints and rising compliance expectations. The next phase of market growth will be defined less by the raw capability of the robots themselves, and more by ease of deployment, serviceability, and demonstrated ROI.

As the industry transitions from labour-led delivery models to data-led service models, solutions that reduce installation friction while improving proof of performance are well positioned to define the next stage of adoption.

MOVA played host to the range in Hall 8, Stand 08.330 at Interclean Amsterdam 2026.

For further information about MOVA's product range and distribution partnership opportunities, visit www.mova.tech

She was forced to smuggle her ‘loo roll wrapped’ tampon into her handbag back at the dinner table so she could dispose of it at home. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and embarrassing.

Martha went on to discover that she was not alone in her binning experience and she uncovered UK data showing that 40% of women habitually flush tampons and pads down the toilet. This causes a serious environmental impact on rivers and oceans, given most period products contain high levels of plastics. 

The need for empowering women to be able to dispose of period products with confidence wherever they found themselves became evident. As did the need to educate and convert flushers to binners. This led to the invention of the multi award winning FabLittleBag, a sustainable period disposal bag.

A few years later, after investigating and understanding the disposal needs of ostomates, and people with incontinence issues; HyGeeni (the big bag) was invented, finally giving the customer a dignified disposal option. 

InterClean 2026
At InterClean 2026 the company is showcasing both its innovative, sustainable, disposal bags, alongside bespoke dispensers.

• FabLittleBags are made from sustainable materials (60% sugar cane, 30% recycled material, 10% cornstarch and vegan glue. They can be used in any bin or put in a bag to bin later should no bin be available
• They are proven to reduce drain blockages (62% drain blockage reduction at The University of Chichester) and drain blockage call outs to unblock pipes (14 - 2 at The University of Derby)
• They come with two variations of dispensers, one designed for toilet cubicles, the other designed for hotels and high end office buildings.  Both are made from end of life plastic. 

Hygieeni Bags are multipurpose sustainability sourced, sealable, opaque bags for ostomy bags, incontinence pads/sheaths, nappies/diapers and catheters. They seal forensically shut for total discretion and odour control. They are made from sugar cane waste and recycled plastic. The dispenser is small, easy to install and made of recycled PLA. 

For more information, visit www.fabbagco.com
 

The J36 is a smart commercial cleaning robot built for retail spaces. It tackles low cleaning efficiency, high labor costs, and poor maintenance head-on.

Commercial cleaning has always been hard to manage well. Staff shortages are common across the industry. Machines wear out quickly or fail to adapt to different floor layouts. The J36 brings smart commercial cleaning solutions to spaces that need reliable, daily performance without added complexity.

Built for retail cleaning - ready for everyday commercial spaces

The J36 Professional Cleaning Robot is a mid-sized intelligent system designed to balance performance with operational simplicity. Its design focuses on integrating smoothly into daily workflows without adding complexity.

It works in supermarkets, shopping malls, and retail chains. It also fits hotels, offices, schools, and nursing homes. It cleans on epoxy, PVC, tiles, terrazzo, polished concrete, and low-pile carpets. As a commercial robot, it adapts well to most commercial floor environments.

This wide adaptability matters for operators running mixed-use or multi-floor spaces. One robot covers different surface types across the same site. There is no need to buy separate machines for each floor zone.

Core features and technical capabilities

The J36 uses a modular design with five cleaning modes. It can sweep, scrub, vacuum, mop, and push dust. Teams can choose the right setup for their floor type and cleaning schedule.

It uses AI-powered navigation with multi-sensor fusion technology. A side TOF camera handles precise edge detection. Key capabilities include:

• 360° obstacle avoidance system for safe navigation around people and objects
• Side TOF camera for precise edge detection
• AI path planning with dynamic route adjustment
• Mapping capability of up to 5000 sq. m.
• Access through narrow aisles as small as 700mm

Millimeter-level edge cleaning ensures coverage along walls, display bases, and shelving units.

The J36 delivers a cleaning efficiency of up to 1,600 sq. m. per hour under optimal conditions. Its self-cleaning docking station supports up to 72 hours of maintenance-free operation. A resume cleaning feature picks up from the exact point where a task was stopped.

A cloud-based fleet management platform handles scheduling, monitoring, and reporting across all units. A dedicated app gives managers full control from their phone. OTA updates keep every unit current without needing a technician on site.

Operational advantages that matter at scale

The J36 lowers reliance on manual cleaning staff directly. It runs routine tasks on its own so that people can focus on other work. Tool-free disassembly makes upkeep quick. The self-cleaning dock reduces hands-on maintenance time significantly.

"True intelligence is when you don't notice it — but everything runs perfectly."
— BIB ROBOTICS

Maintenance costs become easier to predict over time. The retail cleaning robot cleans its own dock between cycles. Moreover, unexpected breakdowns caused by missed maintenance have now been greatly reduced.

The  J36 commercial cleaning robot is currently undergoing CE certification and is expected to obtain official certification by the end of May 2026. The product has been developed in strict accordance with the IEC 63327 international standard for service robots.

Its data processing framework is fully built in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Featuring a low-noise design, the J36 can operate during retail store business hours without causing disturbance to customers or staff.

Seamless integration into daily operations

"J36 is a purpose-built robot that integrates seamlessly into daily operations."
— BIB ROBOTICS Product Team

The management platform gives facility teams real-time visibility. They can assign tasks, check progress, and pull reports from one dashboard. For chain store operators, all locations are managed from one place. No separate check-ins per site are needed.

Data from the platform shows cleaning gaps across locations. Teams can schedule maintenance before issues arise. This makes managing a large cleaning operation much simpler.

The platform also tracks usage hours and cleaning coverage per unit. This data helps teams improve efficiency over time.

"Bringing commercial cleaning back to everyday simplicity."
— BIB ROBOTICS

Availability and industry presence

The J36 Professional Cleaning Robot is available from April 14, 2026. BIB ROBOTICS will display it at the Interclean exhibition. Facility managers and B2B buyers can see the robot working live there.

The BIB cleaning robot J36 brings wide coverage cleaning robot technology to markets worldwide. It is made for real retail conditions — actual floor space, real dirt, and daily operational demands.

As cleaning labor becomes harder to find, intelligent automation is no longer optional. The J36 gives retail and commercial operators a practical, proven answer.

For more information, visit www.bibrobotics.com

 

Introduced in 2024, the apprenticeship was designed to professionalise frontline cleaning roles and create a clear entry route into the industry. Backed by employers and training providers, it enabled learners to gain practical, on-the-job skills alongside a recognised qualification, while allowing businesses to invest levy funding directly into workforce development.

By early 2026, the programme had demonstrated clear momentum. Hundreds of apprentices had enrolled, with many achieving high grades upon completion. Employers across the sector had begun integrating the qualification into their training strategies, supported by improved access to funding and resources. Recent changes - such as removing mandatory English and maths requirements for adult learners - had also helped broaden participation.

Structured to reflect real-world demands, the apprenticeship combined core cleaning competencies with specialist pathways in healthcare and commercial environments. This flexibility made it relevant across a wide range of settings, from hospitals and schools to offices and public spaces, helping to raise professional standards across the sector.

However, despite this progress, the apprenticeship has now been included in a list of standards set to lose funding under wider government reforms aimed at reshaping the apprenticeship system. The move is intended to redirect investment towards younger learners and streamline provision, but it has sparked concern within the industry.

Responding to the announcement, David Garcia, chair of the British Cleaning Council, said: “We are extremely disappointed to hear of the planned defunding of the Level 2 Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship.

“This is an alarming step backwards for one of the biggest industries in the UK, a sector which underpins public health and safety, and national resilience.”

Garcia stressed that the apprenticeship had been the result of sustained industry effort to create a recognised starting point for careers in cleaning.

“The industry lobbied for this entry-level qualification for years, partly to help attract young people to work in the sector,” he said.

“Removing this foundational pathway strips new entrants of a vital professional route, undermines workforce capability at a time of acute labour shortages, and
signals a devaluation of the essential skills that keep workplaces,
schools, hospitals, and communities safe.”

The decision comes at a time when the sector continues to face recruitment and retention challenges.

Apprenticeships have been widely viewed as a key tool for addressing these issues, offering structured training and helping to elevate the perception of cleaning as a skilled profession.

Garcia highlighted the programme’s early success as evidence of its importance: “Just over two years after the apprenticeship was approved, 88 learners have been certified, 245 apprentices are currently on the programme, and 25 employers and 15 training providers are taking part.”

He also raised concerns about the impact on businesses contributing to the apprenticeship levy system.

“It is deeply unfair that we face once again being in the situation where the cleaning and hygiene sector spends millions of pounds annually in Levy payments but businesses do not have a dedicated cleaning and hygiene apprenticeship to invest those funds in,” he said.

While the Government’s reforms aim to increase opportunities for younger workers and improve efficiency, industry leaders warn that removing established programmes could have unintended consequences for sectors reliant on structured, entry-level training. For the cleaning sector the loss of the Level 2 apprenticeship risks creating a gap in workforce development at a critical time. Without a dedicated pathway, employers may struggle to attract new entrants and maintain consistent training standards.

Despite the setback, the British Cleaning Council has pledged to continue challenging the decision. “We are working with organisations across the sector to actively explore options to challenge this decision,” Garcia confirmed.

As the sector awaits further clarity, what had been a promising step forward now faces an uncertain future.

As the FM industry navigates staffing bottlenecks and rising operational complexities, KEENON is deploying a professional cleaning fleet designed for high-performance autonomy:

• KLEENBOT C55 | One Robot. Twice the Power. Engineered for spaces exceeding 3,000m², the C55 features a double-capacity advantage in water tank volume, battery life, and coverage. It integrates scrubbing and sweeping into a single pass, effectively doubling the output for heavy-duty factories and logistics hubs while ensuring total operational control.
• KLEENBOT C40 | Triple Brushes. Twice the Efficiency. This 4-in-1 masterpiece combiningsweeping, vacuuming, scrubbing, and dust-pushing in one compact platform, features an exclusive triple-brush system, dry-wet separation, and Instant-Dry tech. Covering up to 4,500m², it is a critical asset for retail stores and supermarkets, delivering spotless results with minimal resource consumption, setting a new benchmark for commercial versatility and eco-efficiency.
• KLEENBOT C30 | One Partner. Simply Smarter. For premium environments like hotels and offices, the C30 delivers quiet perfection. This 3-in-1 dry cleaning specialist utilizes Water-Free CleanTech, offering flawless care to spaces up to 2,500m² with everything from delicate marble to high-traffic carpets, serving as a silent, intelligent partner for modern FM teams.

With a comprehensive portfolio spanning cleaning, delivery, and humanoid robots, KEENON's Multi-Robot Collaboration capability allows diverse robot fleets to work together seamlessly, solving complex operational challenges beyond single-machine reach. Fleet scheduling is where this capability truly shines. From 10 to 20+ robots operating in single venues to a mixed fleet of 8 robots across 6 types at facilities like Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, KEENON delivers proven multi-robot efficiency.

Proven Global Trust, Local Commitment

With 16 years of robotic innovation and the No.1 global market share in commercial service robotics (IDC), KEENON stands as a trusted ally. Having deployed 100,000+ robots across 60+ countries, KEENON’s track record across delivery, cleaning, and humanoid robotics, enables over 5,000 businesses to redefine service standards through reliable, large-scale automation.

Vision for Human-Robot Collaboration: 10 Billion + 1 Robots

KEENON strives for a world of 10 Billion and 1 robots, where every human is empowered by a robotic partner. KEENON bridges the gap between imagination and operational excellence. The European market serves as the vanguard of this transition, together unlocking a future where robotics truly serves humanity.

Join KEENON Robotics at Booth 08.203 from April 14–17 to witness the evolution of the KLEENBOT ecosystem.

For more information, visit www.keenon.com

With around 900 exhibitors from 45 countries and more than 30,000 expected visitors, Interclean Amsterdam continues to demonstrate why it remains the sector’s leading international meeting point. But beyond the scale, what truly sets the event apart is its role as a catalyst for industry progress.

Across four days, the exhibition will showcase the technologies, ideas and conversations shaping the future of professional cleaning. From robotics and artificial intelligence to sustainable chemistry, infection prevention and data-driven facilities management, the programme reflects an industry undergoing an unprecedented transformation.

The show floor itself has been redesigned to enhance the visitor experience, while the four Experience Centres - covering healthcare, hospitality, robotics and outdoor cleaning - offer hands-on opportunities to see innovations working in real-world scenarios. For many attendees, these practical demonstrations are where the real value of Interclean lies.

Equally important is the knowledge-sharing that runs throughout the event. The Main Stage and specialist education tracks developed with industry partners explore critical topics such as workforce development, digitalisation, sustainability and healthcare hygiene. These discussions highlight how the role of cleaning professionals continues to evolve - becoming more skilled, more technologically enabled and more central to the wellbeing of the environments they protect.

Recognition also plays an important part. The Amsterdam Innovation Awards celebrate breakthrough ideas across sustainability, digitalisation, hygiene and ergonomics, while initiatives such as the Cleaner’s Choice Award and national Cleaner of the Year honours help place the spotlight firmly on the people behind the profession.

In an industry increasingly defined by technological change and rising expectations, Interclean Amsterdam always provides something invaluable: a place for the global cleaning community to meet face-to-face, exchange ideas and explore solutions together.

Cleaning Matters will be following developments closely throughout the event - and looking forward to discovering first-hand the innovations that will shape the next chapter of professional cleaning.

See you there!