MIAMI—ABCO Cleaning Products, a leading provider of sustainable cleaning tools, won two 2023 ISSA Innovation Awards for its Natura Yarn Wet and Dry Mops—the Environmental & Sustainability award and the Distributor’s Choice award. “For over 40 years, we’ve been dedicated to providing innovative and sustainable products that help people maintain clean and healthy facilities, sustainably,” said Carlos Albir, Jr., Director of Operations, ABCO Cleaning Products. “Winning not one, but two ISSA Show Innovation Awards, was an incredible moment for our team during this year’s ISSA Show.” The mops are produced using sustainable manufacturing processes at ABCO’s plant in Choloma, Honduras and are...

NATIONAL REPORT—Minimizing the spread of germs should be top-of-mind for facility managers, especially this time of year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 11 percent of the U.S. comes down with the flu each year. Businesses can help facility occupants stay safe from infections, like influenza or the common cold, by taking the time to analyze and enhance their cleaning programs. Upticks in infections lead to increased absences in schools, offices and other businesses, resulting in lost productivity. Outbreaks can also negatively affect the public’s perception of a business. Implementing cleaning and hygiene best...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Scandic has reached a sustainability milestone by recertifying all of its previously ecolabeled hotels according to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s new, tougher environmental requirements. More than 88 percent of Scandic’s hotels are ecolabeled and the company is continuing its efforts to ensure that all hotels are certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is the official environmental certification in the Nordic countries. It updates its requirements approximately every four years, and the most recent update in 2023 included higher environmental goals. To continue to be certified, Scandic’s ecolabeled hotels have now undergone a rigorous recertification process...

PHILADELPHIA—Tork, an Essity brand, exhibited at ISSA Show North America 2023, the leading resource for information, education, innovation, networking, and commercial opportunities within the worldwide cleaning industry, in Las Vegas. At ISSA Show North America 2023, Tork carbon neutral dispensers were nominated for the ISSA Innovation Awards, a program recognizing the latest advancements in the cleaning industry and were recognized as an honoree for the Environment & Sustainability Award. As of October 2023, a select range of existing Tork brand innovative dispensers in North America are carbon neutral certified. Carbon emissions have already been reduced by using purchased renewable electricity...

Here in Florida, I know too well the sound and fury of the gas-powered lawn mower and other gas-powered lawn equipment. Fortunately, we have hit the dry season, and it will be quiet for a while. In a new report entitled, “Lawn Care Goes Electric,” the authors address the problems associated with gas-powered mowers and other equipment and highlight the advantages of their electric counterparts. Be sure to give the report a read. In the report’s Executive Summary, the authors get right to the problem of gas-powered mowers. “The inefficient engines in gasoline-powered lawn equipment can emit as much pollution...

NORTHBROOK, ILL.—UMF|PerfectCLEAN introduces QUICKfoam>10, a game-changing product developed to transform the fight against biofilm in drains. QUICKfoam>10 is a 10-gallon, battery-powered foaming unit that generates high-density Klorese disinfectant foam to treat any size drain. Klorese is the only chemistry with a neutral pH that is EPA-registered to kill bacteria in biofilm and meets the legal requirements of EPA regulation 40 CFR 403 for sanitary sewer disposal, meaning it is safe to pour down the drain. Biofilm is a protective slime that makes pathogens highly resistant to disinfectants. QUICKfoam>10 foams away bacteria in biofilm safely, efficiently, and thoroughly. “The pathogens that cause preventable healthcare-associated infections (pHAIs), many...

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, ILL.—PathoSans, a leading provider of sustainable and socially-responsible cleaning and disinfecting solutions, has teamed up with Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino to provide a healthier environment for guests and staff. Westgate Las Vegas, an iconic Las Vegas property known for its legendary entertainment and spacious guestrooms, is using PathoSans sustainable and socially responsible cleaning solutions to clean guestrooms efficiently, safely, and sustainably. “People would rave about the cleanliness of guestrooms, and we would explain how we use safe and effective products with PathoSans,” said Deborrah Ong, Vice President of Hotel Operations for Westgate Las Vegas. “Clean has no smell....

I never knew laundry dryer lint could create so much havoc, but it makes a lot of sense and if you have an on-premise laundry, you understand better than I do. The lint dust easily spreads, causing a cleaning and indoor air quality issue. Each lint screen needs to be cleaned daily or more and if the lint is exhausted on your rooftop or other problematic spot it can be sucked right back in by your HVAC system. Hardened lint on HVAC coils is not what you want to see. If lint is not removed in a timely manner, it...

RIPON, WIS.—Alliance Laundry Systems, a global leader in commercial laundry equipment, announces the introduction of a revolutionary dryer feature that eliminates the problems caused by lint. ProCapture uses patent-pending cyclone technology to capture 98 percent* of dryer lint—a significant increase over the lint screens used in most commercial tumble dryers. The technology brings a variety of advantages to laundromats and on-premises laundries, including reduced service and maintenance costs on everything from HVAC systems to water heaters, and other electronics/components. “ProCapture is more than just a tumble dryer feature. As anyone in the laundry industry knows, lint causes a number of issues...

NORTHBROOK, ILL.—Nominations are open for UMF|PerfectCLEAN’s fifth annual National Guest Room Attendant (GRA) Excellence Award. UMF|PerfectCLEAN developed the award to recognize the hotel housekeepers—GRAs—who ensure hotels and lodges across the country are clean and safe for guests. GRAs have faced many challenges in 2023 as hotel occupancy rates approach pre-pandemic levels, guests demand cleanliness and hygiene, and staffing shortages abound. The award provides hotel general managers, room directors, and housekeeping managers with an opportunity to recognize the staff members who commit themselves to the highest standards of excellence. Nominations for the National GRA Excellence Award are open through December 15, 2023. “This year...