administrator, Author at Cleanhire

5p bag levy sees fewer single use carrier bags

Carrier bags by Monticello (via Shutterstock). — **Less waste:** with fewer carrier bags being taken at the checkout, the 5p levy has resulted in more people reusing previously purchased bags. Image by Monticello (via Shutterstock).

This time one year ago, the 5p bag levy was akin to being the spawn of Satan. For a time, charging for carrier bags seemed like Armageddon for some commentators (though Kwik Save did so from the 1980s till its demise in 2007). Almost to the point it was claimed that oceans would rise; that house prices would fall; and that aeroplanes would fall from the sky. A year on, none of the hysterics happened. We lived our lives normally and adapted to the changes pretty well.

How well did we adjust to the five pence levy? Very well indeed. A survey from Cardiff University has noticed some changes in shoppers’ habits since its imposition. Though similar schemes are successful in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, its success in England was a potentially sterner test. The results are staggering. It was stated that:

90% of shoppers reuse their carrier bags;
Only 7% of shoppers opt for carrier bags at the checkout;
One in two shoppers take their own bags for the carriage of clothing;
Increased support for 5p levy – and similar waste management levies for plastic water bottles.

As a result of the five pence levy, 90% of us shoppers reuse previously purchased carrier bags. Alongside single use bags that are widely available, this has meant reusable jute bags, rucksacks, and longer lasting ‘Bag For Life’ plastic carrier bags. As a consequence, only 7% of shoppers buy a bag each time they visit their local shops. This is a substantial drop from 25% in October 2015.

With clothiers eschewing plastic bags in favour of fashionable paper-based carrier bags, more shoppers have elected to reuse them instead of plumping for new bags. Last October, 10% of those surveyed did just that. Today, this figure stands at 50%.

Professor Wouter Poortinga, who headed the study at Cardiff University said: “Overall, our research has shown that the English carrier bag charge has had a strong and positive impact on people’s attitudes and behaviours and that it successfully disrupted people using plastic bags.

“We’ve seen that the charge has become increasingly popular with the English population since it was introduced, and that it has changed attitudes towards waste policies as well.”

Increased support for five pence levy and similar waste management schemes

In spite of the doomsday predictions from some quarters, 51% of shoppers favoured the 5p levy on the 05 October 2015. Today, this figure has climbed to 62%. Plus, there is increased support for the extension of similar schemes. For example, a levy on plastic water bottles. Or a much needed boost for rinse and return schemes (who remembers returning empty pop bottles to the local off-licence?). Among the suggestions mooted is a deposit scheme for plastic bottles, or a levy on disposable coffee cups.

So far, Starbucks Coffee rewards its customers with a modest discount for using their own mug instead of a disposable one. This is one small step, but advertising it as a discount for individual mugs rather than a levy for disposables is the way to go. So far, for disposable cup recycling, this is only the beginning.

Overview: Carrier Bag Charges

There has been a 5p levy on carrier bags in England since the 05 October 2015. Retail businesses with fewer than 200 employees are exempt from the charge, which should benefit independent shops. Furthermore, free carrier bags can only be dispensed if used to carry fresh food (for example: meat from the local butchers, or a small bag for the carriage of takeaway food including sandwiches).

For more details, GOV.UK has a helpful guide, which includes a video clip.

Clean Hire, 30 September 2016.

Shocking findings on why a coffee mug is best washed at home

Unwashed mug by Anton Watman — **Home is Where Your Mug Should Be Washed:** the University of Arizona’s research recommends washing your works mug at home, in a dishwasher. Image by Anton Watman (via Shutterstock).

The works kitchen or brewing up area is in many cases a good help for many colleagues. It saves on the cost of several Costabucks coffees. Some have microwave ovens which are good for warming up food from home. Some even have dishwashers. Nothing beats being able to use your own mug as well.

But – and this is a massive but – the University of Arizona has revealed a study that would chill Britain’s tea lovers to the bone. With the communal nature of the office or site kitchen, the chances of bacteria are far greater. You may be better off eating your sandwiches off the floor after one of Clean Hire’s industrial vacuums have put in a shift.

The report was created by Charles Gerba, a professor of environmental microbiology at University of Arizona. He said that washing up sponges are a magnet for bacteria, owing to the amount of mugs that have been cleaned. Instead of one mug, the same sponge may have been used on twenty of them.

Though a little inconvenient, he suggests getting your favourite coffee mug washed at home. If available, in a dishwasher. There are two figures alone, which are a good enough reason for carting your mug on the 1754 train from St. Helens Junction (other National Rail stations are available of course). Firstly, 90% – yes a staggering 90% – of cups in the control group harboured dangerous germs like e Coli and salmonella.

Secondly, 20% of mugs contained traces of faecal matter. This due to some colleagues who may have refrained from washing their hands after using the toilet.

So, the moral of the story is: whilst at home, wash your office mug in the dishwasher. You could consider using paper cups, but tea in a styrofoam or paper cup can never beat a proper mug.

Clean Hire, 19 September 2016

How a central vacuum cleaner, underneath the former West Side Line in New York City aims to keep the city’s much-loved elevated park in tip-top condition.

High Line Corridor NYC image

A revolutionary system of pneumatic tubes is set to improve the cleanliness of one of New York City’s most popular open spaces. Pneumatic tubes, akin to a giant central vacuum cleaner, will be used to keep the High Line linear park clean. It is part of a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions in NYC by 80%, by 2050.

All of the tubes will be placed underneath the park’s elevated walkway, which is 1.5 mile in length from The West Village to 34th Street. The city’s proposed network of tubes is inspired by a similar system on Roosevelt Island and is championed by ClosedLoops, who have overseen the project’s development since 2010.

At pedestrian level, there will be a trio of bins every few yards. One bin will be used for the disposal of food waste (half-eaten burgers and sandwiches) with a second one for recyclable refuse, and a third one for non-recyclable rubbish. These will be connected to a pneumatic tube. There will be a separate pneumatic tube for restaurant food waste and a branch from Chelsea Market.

Like an enormous central vacuum cleaner, the allegorical vacuum bags will be the system’s anaerobic digestion facilities. The waste is containerised and sent by rail for recycling. Its railhead is a few yards from the northern end of High Line park (which is the junction of 34th Street and 12th Avenue).

As part of its environmental strategy, the giant central vacuum cleaner will see fewer dustcarts along the High Line park. The idea’s nothing new; it is reminiscent of similar practices In the UK with local authority housing estates. Known as the Garchey system, the waste disposal unit of a sink would be an outlet for disposing refuse.

This was implemented in the now-demolished Quarry Hill Flats in Leeds, and at the soon to be fully-refurbished Park Hill Estate in Sheffield. As waste consumption increased due to consumer spending, its limitations were evident. New York’s scheme aims to improve on previous practices and we think they could be on to a winner.

Clean Hire, 14 September 2016.

Norwegian study states how lung conditions like COPD are caused by cleaning chemicals

Cleaning Chemicals Image — **Bad news for lung functioning:** some cleaning chemicals can irritate the respiratory system, with professional cleaners most likely to be affected. Image by Iakov Filimonov (via Shutterstock).

If you wish to duck out of the household chores, this week’s story should give you a valid reason. In a Norwegian study, it was revealed that certain cleaning chemicals could trigger respiratory diseases like COPD. From a survey of 5,000 women over a 20-year period, it was revealed that:

Professional cleaners saw a 17% decline in lung function compared the average woman;
Lung function dropped by 14% over the 20-year period with women who did most of the household chores.

Cleaning chemicals like ammonia can irritate the airwaves and other substances that are likely to cause an allergic reaction. Due to the increased potency of today’s cleaning products, they are more likely to cause respiratory disorders like COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema.

The study was conducted by Oistein Svanes, from the University of Bergen in Norway. His response to the findings: “Cleaning your home is a regular activity, and that’s why this concerns so many people.

“We need to start being much more aware of the chemicals we’re releasing into the air we breathe when we use things like cleaning spray.”

Dr. Gareth Walters, of the West Midlands NHS Regional Occupational Lung Disease Service, said: “It is a concern because it’s the first evidence that there’s some long-term damage to lungs due to exposure to cleaning agents.”

With concerns over MRSA and superbugs, domestic cleaning chemicals are using the same substances of their industrial equivalents. Though these make for more effective cleaning, the smaller space of a family home have made the chemicals bad for asthma sufferers.

Possible allergy triggers

Be aware of the following cleaning chemicals:

Methylisothiazolinone (MI/MIT): you will find this chemical in kitchen and floor sprays. Some beauty products also contain MI/MIT.
Benzalkonium chloride (Quaternary Ammonium Compound): popular as a disinfectant in household cleaners (for floors and hard surfaces).
Chlorine-based agents (Sodium Hypochlorite): used as the active
ingredient in bleach.
Isothiazolinones: these are used in some washing-up liquids and laundry washing liquids.

Some scents within cleaning agents (for example, limonene) can also trigger allergies.

As with any cleaning chemicals – home or industrial – make sure your room is well ventilated. Some extra protection, like gloves and a face mask, could be a good idea. Also, consider purchasing products where the cleaning agent can be applied with a cloth, instead of aerosol-based products.

Clean Hire, 31 August 2016.

See how Sierra Blair-Coyle scales a 33 storey skyscraper – with two vacuum cleaners

Songdo Two Vacuum Cleaners Blog Post Image

On both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, you may have seen the Oreck adverts with David Oreck. In each of his adverts and product demonstrations, Mr Oreck uses the vacuum cleaner’s suction abilities as a selling point. For his vacuum cleaners, he uses a tenpin bowling ball as a demonstration prop, differentiating his cleaners from the Dysons, Kirbys and Electroluxes of this world.

If you never got to see the ads on British television (they were usually on UK Living between a rerun of Crosswits), you may be more familiar with The Wrong Trousers. In Nick Park’s follow-up to A Grand Day Out, Wallace invents a pair of Techno Trousers. They have suction controlled feet. With some modifications, they were controlled by Feathers McGraw, a rogue penguin. Asleep, Wallace was ushered to a museum, where he was accessory to a plan to steal a diamond.

Twenty-three years after BBC One’s premiere of The Wrong Trousers, we see real life mirroring art (well, almost). Using two vacuum cleaners, we see Wallace’s climbing feat mirrored by Sierra Blair-Coyle. With the aid of fall arrest equipment, she scales a 33 storey skyscraper in Songdo, South Korea.

The method of this madness? It is part of an advertising campaign by LG for their CordZero Climber range of vacuum cleaners. The selling point is similar to David Oreck’s: the cleaner’s suction abilities. Interestingly, the CordZero’s motor is 28% smaller, 24% lighter, and 13% more efficient than its competition’s vacuum motors. This clip below shows Ms. Blair-Coyle scaling the tower block.

“We wanted to demonstrate that today’s vacuum cleaners include sophisticated technologies that can undertake extraordinary challenges and thanks to Sierra, I think the message came through loud and clear.”

Who needs bowling balls to sell vacuum cleaners? We think LG have pulled off a cracking stunt.

Clean Hire, 19 August 2016.

Meet the Canadian window cleaner duo behind Saskatoon’s kilted window cleaning service

Saskatoon skyline window cleaner post image — **The Saskatoon skyline:** Also the preserve of the Lesser Spotted Kilted Window Cleaner. Image by Scott Prokop (via Shutterstock).

They are men, they’re men in kilts. Yes, window cleaners in kilts. Plus they do a host of other things like pressure washing, carpet cleaning and gutter cleaning. Since 2002, parts of Canada and the USA have had their windows cleaned by kilted window cleaners.

The company, Men in Kilts, was formed in 2002 when Nicholas Brand, an exiled Scotsman living in Vancouver decided to add a kilt to a window cleaner. Gradually, the business grew. Their first franchise was in Victoria, British Columbia. The business really took off when they entered a partnership with a Calgary-based window cleaners.

Today, the company has gone beyond its window cleaning roots and have added other services to their roster. Gutters, sidings, and driveways are cleaned by the kilted crusaders. Some franchises also offer blind and carpet cleaning, moss and snow removal, and lawn care. For time-pressed households, Happy Holidays become Happier Holidays, as Men in Kilts can install your Christmas lights. No more National Lampoon style cack-handedness.

Two recent converts to Men in Kilts are Mark Brosinsky and Sergey Zametalin. This June saw the twosome, and Ardiena Schatz, set up Men in Kilts’ Saskatoon franchise. Both Mark and Sergey are seen on the streets of Saskatoon with kilts and “No Peeking” T-Shirts.

Mark wanted a break from the stultifying corporate world. His interest in Men in Kilts marked a career change for the window cleaner. Sergey emigrated to Canada to join his family this March. He was drawn to the idea of kilted cleaning by a billboard sign. The looks that Mark and Sergey received from the public was amazing, to say the least. Ardiena Schatz has previously worked in the gas and oil industries, so her knowledge of working at height comes in handy.

So, where next for the Men in Kilts? New York? Chicago? St. Helens or Wigan even? The site of kilted cleaners in Peasley Cross would be a sight to behold. Onwards and upwards we say.

Clean Hire, 11 August 2016.

5p plastic bag charges see a drastic drop in single use carrier bag usage

A clean street, especially one cleaned by one of our hired industrial cleaners, brings us great joy. In the last year, you would have noticed a few things in our towns and cities. Most tangibly, fewer plastic bags littering the pavements. It has become the in-thing to buy a ‘bag for life’ and uses the same bag for months or years. Some people plump for canvas tote bags that are fashionable and functional. Continue reading “English Plastic Bag Use Plunges 85%”

A compendium of window cleaner centred mishaps

Window Cleaner Emoji image by Christos Georghiou (via Shutterstock).

We have only just passed the halfway point of 2016, and this year is probably the most tumultuous in living memory. Iconic singers have passed away. There has been a lot of bad feeling on these shores and overseas. As for laughter, somewhat lacking. Hence our latest post, which is entitled “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Window Cleaner.” Continue reading “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Window Cleaner”

A look at the Bristol-based company who uses vegan-friendly cleaning products

Bristol Temple Meads station by Ariadna De Raadt (via Shutterstock). — Bristol Temple Meads station. Image by Ariadna De Raadt (via Shutterstock).

Households and businesses alike have expressed concerns about the environmental impact of their cleaning products. They wonder if the bleach or multi-purpose cleaner they have used will pollute the seas or give off noxious fumes. In a previous post of ours, we mentioned how S.C. Johnson have decided to disclose all the ‘ingredients’ in their products. Recently, we have learned about a cleaning company who have opted for vegan-friendly products. If you live in Bristol, Bath or Cardiff, a company known as Gleem does just that.

Continue reading “Why Gleem Goes for a Vegan-Friendly Clean”

A selection of suction sycophants: in other words, vacuum cleaner enthusiasts and popular cultural icons

Suction sycophant image by Ljupco Smokovski (via Shutterstock). — Image by Ljupco Smokovski (via Shutterstock).

We at Clean Hire not only hire a number of industrial vacuum cleaners. We are also passionate about vacuum cleaners and other cleaning products. It is our life, our raison d’etre – our reason for being in plain English terms. Needless to say, we salute like-minded people with a great interest in vacuum cleaners. Suction sycophants if you prefer.

For our latest post, we salute four suction sycophants. Some people are fans of vacuum cleaners in the same way some of us like steam trains, photography, and American comics. Continue reading “Dedicated Followers of Suction”