REFLECTING ON the past, the world has transformed dramatically. From the days of having just four television channels to now having hundreds, and from dialling a 5-digit number to call my grandma to teaching her how to use emojis on WhatsApp, the pace of change is staggering. The company I work for, founded 105 years ago, has witnessed this evolution firsthand.

The driving forces behind these changes are evolution and innovation. These two concepts are intertwined: innovation fuels evolution, leading to continuous improvements. The cleaning industry exemplifies this relationship. From ancient water-based cleaning methods to the discovery of biocidal ingredients like phenols and chlorine in the 19th century, and now to sustainable resources and data-driven solutions, innovation has propelled the evolution of cleaning products.

Research into the effects of chemicals has advanced significantly. Our industry protects millions of people daily from disease, ensuring pleasant and hygienic living and working environments. When selecting cleaning products, should we opt for the newest innovations or stick with tried-and-tested solutions? The answer lies in both, but with a crucial caveat: validated data must support these solutions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization recommended bleach solutions and alcohol-based hand disinfectants due to their proven efficacy. The chemical industry had ample data to support these solutions, leading to widespread production. More complex products, like QAC-based disinfectants, emerged later, but the initial response relied on well-established basics.

Innovation and emerging technologies must adhere to the same principles of data-driven results to inspire confidence. Reputable companies share comprehensive data behind their products, including safety data sheets, microbiological profiles, and supporting information. Transparency is key; when data is not readily available, it raises doubts. Intelligent customers scrutinize product labels and claims, ensuring data comes from reputable sources like UKAS-accredited laboratories.

Sustainability in cleaning products has become another challenging area. Companies often market products based on sustainability, posing a challenge for uneducated buyers. The CMA’s Green Claims Code provides six rules to navigate this landscape:

1. Be truthful and accurate.
2. Be clear and unambiguous.
3. Do not omit or hide important information.
4. Only make fair and meaningful comparisons.
5. Consider the full life cycle of the product.
6. Be substantiated.

These rules emphasize the need for clear, evidence-based claims. Terms like “eco,” “environmentally friendly,” “greener,” and “sustainable” require meaningful comparisons and data to validate their use. For instance, “environmentally friendly” suggests no harm or positive impacts on the environment, while “greener” requires a comparison to previous methods or formulations.

New EU legislation, the Green Claims Directive, addresses these issues by combating greenwashing, enhancing customer trust, and promoting sustainability. Companies must use clear, evidence-based criteria to substantiate environmental claims, verified by independent, accredited third parties. Transparent labelling and adherence to ISO14024 rules ensure only truly environmental products and claims reach the market. As a British company, these rules will apply to products exported to Europe and likely influence UK legislation within the next five years.

In conclusion, innovation is essential for progress, but it must be grounded in reliable data. Evolution and innovation work hand in hand, improving existing products and introducing innovative solutions. When making purchasing decisions, rely on data that meets your requirements and trust reputable sources. By doing so, you can confidently choose the best products for your needs.

Vikki Morris is environment & sustainability manager at Evans Vanodine, a CHSA member

For more information visit​ www.CHSA.co.uk

The Bursary is open to the children of CHSA members’ employees.  

The four recipients will each receive £6,000 over the course of their university career.  It will be paid in three installments, £2,000 being paid at the start of each academic year or the first three years if the degree is longer.  

  

Emma Hinks is to study Children and Adolescent Mental Health at Edge Hill. Her father works at Evans Vanodine. Sander Morris is planning to study History at Durham University. His father works at Karcher Limited. Harry Thomas is planning to study Mathematics, also at Durham University. His father works at Arco Limited. Molly Vaughan is to study Learning & Teaching at the University of Northampton. Her mother also works at Karcher Limited. 

Since it was first awarded in 2016 in its current form, 21 young people have benefitted from the financial support offered by the Bursary. It has made it possible for them to engage fully in their university careers, paying for books and study materials, field trips and club memberships. It has also provided the freedom to enjoy the full range of social opportunities.  

Applicants were assessed by a Judging Panel, led by CHSA Vice President and Treasurer David Garcia, according to need, worthiness endeavour, and overall performance.    

  

David Garcia explained: “It is a pleasure to be able to give something back by offering valuable financial support to the children of our members’ employees.   

  

“Every year we find it incredibly difficult to make the final decision, and this year was no different. It is an extremely rewarding experience to meet the talented young people and hear about their hard work and aspirations for the future. They are always impressive. I wish we could award the bursary to them all.   We very much hope the final four, and all the applicants, enjoy their time and university.”    

 For more information visit​ www.chsa.co.uk 

ETHICAL PRACTICE is at the heart of the CHSA. Our Code of Practice demands our members trade ethically. At its heart, this philosophy encompasses the way our members do business. They sign up to conducting business in an ‘open, honest, fair and proper manner’ and have to comply with the ethical principles set out in the Competition & Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code. 

This approach to business is fundamental, but our ethical approach extends further. Giving something back to our community is in our DNA. We believe it matters. 

Our industry can struggle to attract and retain the right talent. Contract cleaners find it difficult to employ well trained cleaning operatives. The CSSA’s Clean Start initiative is designed to help tackle this problem. Its goal is to change people’s perception of the cleaning industry, transforming the ‘mop and bucket’ perspective into the more realistic view of an industry rich in technology and career opportunities. Giving something back also has a big role to play in securing the right talent. It’s influential in building loyalty and boosting employee morale. In a highly competitive market, with tight margins, it sets organisations apart, differentiating them from the competition. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it’s the right thing to do. 

At the CHSA we give something back in two main ways: our undergraduate Bursary and fund raising for our nominated charity.

The CHSA Bursary has made a huge difference to young people at university. It was refreshed into its current form in 2016. Since then, we have supported 25 young people, including the four talented recipients who are starting their university careers this autumn. Few students have the resources to capitalise on all the opportunities university offers. For the children of our members’ employees, the Bursary can make the crucial difference, enabling them to take part in field trips, join clubs or simply buy the books and resources they need to successfully complete the course. The four successful applicants in 2024 will each receive £6,000 over the course of their time at university. 

Thanks to the generosity of our members at our Annual Charity Gala Ball, we are also able to make a significant donation to charity every year. This year we donated £10,000 to Grief Encounter, adding to the over £33,000 we have already donated since nominating them as our official charity in 2019. 

Grief Encounter supports bereaved children and their families to help alleviate the pain caused by the death of someone close. One child in every UK classroom will experience the death of someone close by the time they reach 16 years old. Children suffering the death of a parent or sibling find their lives changed forever; their grief and sadness often being compounded by isolation and fear, which can have a significant impact on a child’s mental health. Studies have shown bereaved children can face long-term social and emotional difficulties, if they do not receive adequate support following a bereavement. 

We are proud of these initiatives, which receive the full and enthusiastic support of our governing Council. Our Bursary and support for Grief Encounter, in very different ways, make a huge and very valuable difference to young people. 

Lorcan Mekitarian is chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association

For more information visit​ www.CHSA.co.uk

The CHSA operates Accreditation Schemes for manufacturers of soft tissue, plastic refuse sacks, cotton mops and cleaning chemicals. It also operates Accreditation Schemes for distributors and for general manufacturers. 

By 30 June 2024, 90 audits had been completed. This involved reviewing 22,250 product lines in the Accreditation Scheme for distributors. Across the Schemes for soft tissue, plastic sacks and cotton mops, over 1,153 product labels have been checked and 622 individual products have been tested.  Compliance exceeded 90% across all Accreditation Schemes.  

To meet the Scheme specifications the label must indicate the required information, which includes the manufacturer and the precise specifications of the product within the box. Depending on the product, this involves checking the sheet count, width, duty, weight and or performance of the product. The Inspector also assesses the member’s quality assurance procedures. For distributors he confirms if product is from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer and where it is not, that it conforms to the specification of the relevant scheme.  

Nicky Biggart, Chair of the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes, explained: “We guarantee ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’. Working closely with our inspector to make sure our members meet the required specification underpins our guarantee. This means buyers can trust the CHSA mark wherever they see it, recognising the Accreditation Scheme logo as a guarantee of quality.  

“The audit results for the first half of 2024 give buyers the evidence they need to trust the CHSA Certification Mark.” 

Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice, which includes the Competition & Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.  

The combination of the Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme membership means every member: 

·        Trades ethically and sustainably; 

·        Provides supporting information for claims made; 

·        Provides quality, fit for purpose products; and 

·        Makes sure what’s on the box is what’s in the box. 

Committed to the integrity of the Schemes, the CHSA’s governing Council will expel any Scheme member who, despite being offered the guidance required to correct issues, consistently fails to conform to the relevant Scheme Standard. 

@CHSACleaning 

www.CHSA.co.uk 

Compliance with formal UK Government, European Union and industry-standard regulations is essential if buyers are to be certain product claims are legitimate and proven. Adherence to regulations guarantee safety. They underpin transparency and ensure consistency. They support buyers’ informed decision making by providing a framework for comparison, so a buyer really knows if they are getting the product or solution they need. They also provide accountability, giving buyers a route to recourse if needed.  In short, they underwrite an ethical approach. 

Buyers and end users can also turn to regulations to be certain they are not misled by environmental claims in the rush toward sustainable solutions. 

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association, said: “Buyers and end users need to be able to trust the product and sales and marketing claims. They need to be certain of the balance between efficacy and sustainability and they need to make sure they are using the right product for the job in hand. They are not chemists, however, so may be misled by seductive sales and marketing messaging. 

“Our advice is to talk to your manufacturer and ask for evidence to support their claims. This will come in the form of their technical data sheets, third party verifications and certifications and, importantly, proof of regulatory compliance.”

Gobble-de-gook or undefined phrases to be wary of include: ‘non-renewable chemicals’, ‘chemical-free’, ‘natural’, ‘five times filtered water’, and ‘non-toxic’. ‘Biodegradable’ is also a confusing term. As applied to cleaning products, it is defined in current legislation (Detergent Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 and corresponding UK post Brexit legislation). Something claiming to be ‘organic’ should be certified by, for example, the Soil Association. ‘Net-zero’ claims should be based on the international net-zero standard (https://sciencebasedtargets.org/net-zero) or another reliable third party verified certification.

Every member of the CHSA has signed our rigorous Code of Practice, which demands our members trade ethically. Amongst other stipulations, it requires members to:

• conduct business dealings in an open, honest, fair and proper manner and in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of the UK and EU.
• ensure all public statements made by and on behalf of the Member are decent, honest and truthful.
• ensure no false or exaggerated claims are made verbally, in literature, electronically or in any other way.
• hold and provide evidence on request for product and service claims, particularly with reference to legislation, certifications and accreditations.

The CHSA Code of Practice also includes the Competition & Market’s Authority’s Green Claims Code. Its principles are summarised as:

• Claims must be truthful and accurate.
• Claims must be clear and unambiguous.
• Claims must not omit or hide important relevant information.
• Comparisons must be fair and meaningful.
• Claims must consider the full life cycle of the product or service.
• Claims must be substantiated.

Finally, every member of the CHSA’s Accreditation Scheme for manufacturers of cleaning chemicals has signed the CHSA’s own ethical marketing code.

@CHSACleaning

www.CHSA.co.uk

The CHSA operates Accreditation Schemes for manufacturers of soft tissue, plastic refuse sacks, cotton mops and cleaning chemicals. It also operates Accreditation Schemes for distributors and for general manufacturers. 

By 30 June 2024, 90 audits had been completed. This involved reviewing 22,250 product lines in the Accreditation Scheme for distributors. Across the Schemes for soft tissue, plastic sacks and cotton mops, over 1,153 product labels have been checked and 622 individual products have been tested.  Compliance exceeded 90% across all Accreditation Schemes.  

To meet the Scheme specifications the label must indicate the required information, which includes the manufacturer and the precise specifications of the product within the box. Depending on the product, this involves checking the sheet count, width, duty, weight and or performance of the product. The Inspector also assesses the member’s quality assurance procedures. For distributors he confirms if product is from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer and where it is not, that it conforms to the specification of the relevant scheme.  

Nicky Biggart, Chair of the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes, explained: “We guarantee ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’. Working closely with our inspector to make sure our members meet the required specification underpins our guarantee. This means buyers can trust the CHSA mark wherever they see it, recognising the Accreditation Scheme logo as a guarantee of quality.  

“The audit results for the first half of 2024 give buyers the evidence they need to trust the CHSA Certification Mark.” 

Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s rigorous Code of Practice, which includes the Competition & Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.  

The combination of the Code of Practice and Accreditation Scheme membership means every member: 

• Trades ethically and sustainably
• Provides supporting information for claims made
• Provides quality, fit for purpose products
• Makes sure what’s on the box is what’s in the box. 

Committed to the integrity of the Schemes, the CHSA’s governing Council will expel any Scheme member who, despite being offered the guidance required to correct issues, consistently fails to conform to the relevant Scheme Standard. 

THE PANDEMIC changed a lot of things, in our personal and working lives. The Covid-19 Public Inquiry will identify the impact of the pandemic and the lessons we need to learn. It’s clear, though, one of issue is with us today and it poses a challenge to all who buy and use cleaning chemicals.  

During the pandemic demand for cleaning and hygiene products, in particular cleaning chemicals and hand sanitisers, soared. All sorts of companies with no, or at best tangential expertise, began to produce these products, making extraordinary and unjustifiable claims for their efficacy. We got used to moving at pace and accepting product claims with little or no interrogation. 

Today, the argument in the pandemic that there was little time for verification is playing out in the climate change arena, with some arguing technology is moving so fast there is no time for independent verification or regulation. Pause for a moment and let their argument sink in. The suggestion is that the need for some kind of environmentally sustainable solutions far outstrips the need to know if the solution is indeed environmentally sustainable, if it works or how to use it to be certain it is safe. These companies use gobble-de-gook or undefined phrases like ‘non-renewable chemicals’, ‘chemical-free’, ‘natural’ and ‘non-toxic’ to promote their products.

Regulations, however, matter. They guarantee safety. They underpin transparency and ensure consistency. They provide a framework for comparison, so a buyer really knows if they are getting the product or solution they need. They also provide accountability, giving buyers a route to recourse if needed.  In short, they underwrite an ethical approach. 

If you are buying cleaning chemicals our advice is always to look for independent verification and to make sure the supplier has the relevant regulatory approval. For example, the term ‘biodegradable’ as it is applied to cleaning products, is defined in current legislation (Detergent Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 and corresponding UK post Brexit legislation). Something claiming to be ‘organic’ should be certified by, for example, the Soil Association. ‘Net-zero’ claims should be based on the international net-zero standard (https://sciencebasedtargets.org/net-zero) or another reliable third party verified certification.

Every member of the CHSA has signed our rigorous Code of Practice, which demands our members trade ethically. Amongst other stipulations, it requires members to:

• conduct business dealings in an open, honest, fair and proper manner and in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of the UK and EU.
• ensure all public statements made by and on behalf of the Member are decent, honest and truthful.
• ensure no false or exaggerated claims are made verbally, in literature, electronically or in any other way.
• hold and provide evidence on request for product and service claims, particularly with reference to legislation, certifications and accreditations.

Our Code of Practice also includes the Competition & Market’s Authority’s Green Claims Code. Its principles are summarised as:

• Claims must be truthful and accurate.
• Claims must be clear and unambiguous.
• Claims must not omit or hide important relevant information.
• Comparisons must be fair and meaningful.
• Claims must consider the full life cycle of the product or service.
• Claims must be substantiated.

Finally, every member of the CHSA’s Accreditation Scheme for manufacturers of cleaning chemicals has signed the CHSA’s own ethical marketing code.

Our advice to buyers of cleaning and hygiene chemicals is simple. 

• Be sceptical. If a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• Ask for supporting evidence. Reputable companies will be willing and able to provide data sheets, reports, certificates or other evidence to support the claims
• Buy from a reputable supplier with a track record 
• Specify CHSA Accreditation. Our standards, your guarantee.

Lorcan Mekitarian is chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association

For more information visit​ www.CHSA.co.uk

The CHSA Accreditation Schemes maintain standards in the cleaning and hygiene industry, guaranteeing ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’. As chair of these Schemes, Nicky will work closely with the Independent Inspector to manage the inspection process and make sure members comply with the Scheme standards. Reporting to the CHSA’s Governing Council, Nicky will also lead the evolution of the Schemes to ensure they reflect the changes in the market. 

Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the CHSA said: “We are delighted Nicky has taken on the important role of chair of our Accreditation Schemes. She understands buyers and end users need standards and regulations to be certain they get what they pay for and is committed to both maintaining the integrity of the Schemes and spreading the word about their value. It’s no surprise her election was unanimous.” 

Nicky’s career began at Swallow Hotels, on the company’s graduate programme. She moved to John Deas & Company, the independent distributor that served the hospitality sector before joining Peter Grant Papers (now Northwood Hygiene Products) and then SCA (now Essity). Today she is UK & European sales manager for the professional hygiene division at chemicals manufacturer, Evans Vanodine.   

Explaining her decision to become chair of the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes, Nicky said: “In the cleaning chemical sector we are seeing new entrants suggesting regulations are not necessary and restrict innovation. Without them, however, there is no guarantee the products will work or are safe to use. This trend has strengthened my long-standing commitment to standards. The CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes have made a significant contribution to standards in our industry, and I am delighted to play my role in taking them forward.” 

The CHSA has six Accreditation Schemes: 

• Accredited Manufacturers of soft tissue guarantee the dimensions and count of every product and other required information is as indicated on the label.  
• Accredited Manufacturers of plastic sacks guarantee they are fit for purpose and the dimensions and count and other required information are as indicated on the label.   
• Accredited Manufacturers of cotton mops guarantee the weight, absorbency and, where relevant, the cotton content. They also guarantee the dimensions and count, and other required information are as indicated on the label. The dimensions and count of all ancillary products are also covered by the Scheme.  
• Accredited Manufacturers of cleaning and hygiene chemicals guarantee the product volume and other required information is as specified on the label and fully supported by relevant test data. In addition, they guarantee the containers and plastic bottles holding the chemical products are recyclable.  
• Accredited General Manufacturers have signed the CHSA’s Code of Practice.  
• Accredited Distributors have committed to buy cleaning and hygiene products from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer or product that conforms to the relevant Scheme standard. They also guarantee cleaning and hygiene products not covered by a CHSA Accreditation Scheme for Manufacturers conform to the clear and rigorous commitments within the Code of Practice.    

Every CHSA member has also signed the CHSA’s Code of Practice, which includes the Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code. The combination of the Code of Practice and Accreditation Schemes guarantee CHSA members:   

• Trade ethically and sustainably;  
• Provide quality, fit for purpose products; and  
• Make sure what’s on the box is what’s in the box.  

  For more information visit​ www.chsa.co.uk  

The new Certification Marks clearly state the Accredited product. Buyers will quickly and easily now know if the Accredited products are soft tissue, plastic sacks, cotton mops or cleaning chemicals.  

Membership of the CHSA will be indicated by the new CHSAMember Certification Mark. This Mark indicates the member has signed the Association’s stringent Code of Practice, which includes the Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code. It does not indicate Accreditation of a product category. 

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA explained: “Standards are in the DNA of the CHSA. We have a long track record of improving and maintaining standards in the industry, so buyers and users of cleaning and hygiene products get what they pay for. The introduction of these new Certification Marks for our Accredited Manufacturers is another step forward, clearly stating exactly which product is Accredited.”

The CHSA has five Accredited Manufacturer categories:

• Accredited Manufacturers of soft tissue guarantee the dimensions and count of every product and other required information is as indicated on the label.
• Accredited Manufacturers of plastic sacks guarantee they are fit for purpose and the dimensions and count and other required information are as indicated on the label. 
• Accredited Manufacturers of cotton mops guarantee the weight, absorbency and, where relevant, the cotton content. They also guarantee the dimensions and count, and other required information are as indicated on the label. The dimensions and count of all ancillary products are also covered by the Scheme.
• Accredited Manufacturers of cleaning and hygiene chemicals guarantee the product volume and other required information is as specified on the label and fully supported by relevant test data. In addition, they guarantee the containers and plastic bottles holding the chemical products are recyclable.
• Accredited General Manufacturers, who will have the CHSA Member Certification Mark, have signed the CHSA’s Code of Practice.

The CHSA also has an Accreditation Scheme for distributors of cleaning and hygiene products. All distributor members:

• Have committed to buy cleaning and hygiene products from a CHSA Accredited Manufacturer or product that conforms to the relevant Scheme standard. They also guarantee cleaning and hygiene products not covered by a CHSA Accreditation Scheme for Manufacturers conform to the clear and rigorous commitments within the Code of Practice.  

The integrity of the CHSA’s Accreditation Schemes is underpinned by Independent Inspection. A quality assurance professional audits CHSA members at least annually, confirming compliance to the Scheme. 

The combination of the Code of Practice, signed by every member, and Accreditation Schemes guarantee CHSAmembers: 

• Trade ethically and sustainably;
• Provide quality, fit for purpose products; and
• Make sure what’s on the box is what’s in the box.

www.chsa.co.uk

Working towards a sustainable future is incredibly challenging because identifying the most sustainable option is not easy. The CHSA report, titled Sustainability and the Cleaning Industry helps. It answers to three important and wide ranging questions: 

1. What are the major carbon-reduction initiatives and changes taking place in the industry? 
2. What types of initiative or approach should be specified in tenders? 
3. What should buyers be aware of or avoid and how do they identify greenwashing claims?  

The major carbon-reduction Initiatives 

The key philosophy underpinning the approach here is the is the move towards the circular economy of ‘re-use, re-manufacture, repair, recycle’, and away from the linear approach of ‘take, make, use, throw’. Making this transition requires systemic change that optimizes material and energy streams to support the best environmental performance. Achieving this change requires significant investment and a clear commitment at every level of the business. 

Manufacturers committed to environmental sustainability will design-in recyclability at the end of the product’s life cycle. Care will also be taken in the materials used in the manufacturing process. Adhering to the adage that less is more for product and packaging, sustainable manufactures aim to minimize the use of materials. However, there is often a balance between the use of re-cycled and fresh raw materials as the efficacy of the product and packaging and the overall environmental impact needs to considered. For example, manufacturing a soft tissue product with re-cycled fibre may produce an inferior quality and a lot of waste during production. 

The two big areas of focus for transport and distribution are the vehicles themselves and delivery efficiency. Investment in expensive electric vehicles may be the attention-catching headline but the cumulative return on improving delivery efficiency can be significant. Investing in route planning software to reduce transport miles and working with customers to help them accept large, less frequent and less urgent deliveries is valuable. 

In relation to corporate environmental impact, many manufacturing processes are energy intensive. Adopting renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power and investing in technologies and processes that improve energy efficiency offer an alternative. 

Initiatives to specify in tenders 

To identify the most sustainable solution, buyers need to develop a consistent approach for responsible supplier assessment. The first step is to require a sustainability strategy, which includes a life cycle assessment of carbon emissions, quantified and measured independently where possible. To evaluate the strategy, our advice is that buyers ask for information on the resources their potential suppliers are committing to sustainability. It will indicate their seriousness. Seeking independent certifications is also important. For example FSC or PEFC address responsible forestry, sustainable sourcing and chain of custody. EcoVardis, CDP and Sedex are tools that monitor your supply chain’s sustainability. Finally, it’s important to instigate quality assurance checks post award of the tender. They should include site visits and relevant audits. 

Identify and avoid greenwashing claims 

To avoid being caught out by greenwashing claims, buyers need to be informed. This means knowing about and understanding legislative developments. It also means understanding the truth of terms like ‘biodegradeable’, ‘compostable’, ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘natural’. Buyers must also consider the whole lifecycle and instead of taking product and service sustainability claims at face value, buyers need to challenge them, asking for evidence. In particular, beware absolute claims. It is impossible to have, for example, zero environmental impact or be 100% sustainable and no plastic sack is made from 100% recycled material. Greenwashing claims also often focus on one aspect of the product’s lifecycle while ignoring others such as transport, disposal or the use of hazardous materials.  

Lorcan Mekitarian is chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association

The full report as well as more information and resources are available on the CHSA website: https://chsa.co.uk/roadmap-to-sustainability/.