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Hive Cleaning creating a Buzz!

Thursday, 6 May 2021

A commercial cleaning company has changed its approach to cleaning products as part of a drive to be more eco-friendly, ditching harsh chemicals and plastic bottles for a new, sustainable cleaning system. Tomorrow’s FM finds out more.


Hive Cleaning is an industry leader when it comes to sustainable cleaning, operating under a clear set of sustainability and ethical values comprising extraordinary levels of service, immaculate cleaning, motivated staff and the use of innovative green technologies that offer environmental protection.

It is now using the Toucan Eco cleaning system, a new cleaning system that allows Hive’s team to make up quantities of a highly effective cleaning disinfectant solution on demand using nothing more than salt, water and electricity.
 
For Hive Cleaning’s MD, Louis Beaumont, the Toucan Eco meets all the company’s requirements as a conscious business while also meeting consumer demand for increased cleaning.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the cleaning industry and the need for improved surface sanitising,” Beaumont said. “There has been a big increase in chemicals being used to achieve this and as part of our continuous approach to environmental stewardship we wanted to find a better solution.”

Marc Kemp, MD of Futures Supplies, introduced the business to Toucan Eco. He said: “With Hive’s green credentials, Toucan Eco was a natural solution for the business to consider. Not only is it proven to kill 99.99% of germs, including enveloped viruses, it reduces the use of chemicals and single-use plastic waste. It also minimises your distribution and manufacturing footprint.”

The Toucan Eco uses tap water and normal salt and, using a special form of electrolysis called electrochemical activation, creates a multipurpose disinfectant cleaning solution which is certified to EN antiviral and antibacterial tests to wipe out more than 99.99% of germs.

Its active compounds are hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and a very low concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). This creates a powerful, eco-friendly and safe solution that reduces the need for over 80% of synthetic chemical cleaners and the single-use plastic bottles they come in. The solution can be used to spray, wipe or mop any surface, and when you run out you simply make more. Any leftover solution turns back into salt water after seven days and can be safely poured away. Toucan Eco is being used to replace Hive’s antiviral sanitising and multi-surface products and is applied using refillable trigger sprays and microfibre cloths to all surfaces, including glass.


“The efficacy of the product was not called into doubt,” explained Louis. “Its technical specification and sanitising abilities are clearly proven by the EN 1276, EN 13697, EN 14476 and EN 16777 certifications. Its neutral pH and gentle action mean it is safe on all surfaces and fabrics. Our staff love it. Not only does it clean well and provides sparkling results, but it’s also safer to use and reduces our chemical miles.”

“We are now in a position to rollout Toucan Eco across another 10 offices in April, followed by another 30 sites which will grow to 75% to 80% of the company’s portfolio by the end of the year. Toucan Eco will help further reduce our already small carbon footprint (2.2tCo2e), create zero chemical miles, and continue to demonstrate our environmental leadership within the cleaning sector. It will also contribute towards significant savings, while reducing plastic use and the transportation of chemicals. “For cleaners looking for new, sustainable ways to provide their services, I believe that Toucan Eco is a revolutionary way we can do more to reduce our industry’s impact on the planet,” he concluded.

www.toucaneco.co.uk.Â