The first thing to ask yourself before checking the process for changing cleaning provider is:
It may sound obvious, but before worrying about the process for changing your cleaning provider what is making you want to change cleaning company? It is important that you fully understand this, to prevent the same issues that you have been experiencing before.
TUPE is the abbreviation for the Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment regulations. This piece of legislation was created to protect employees terms and conditions upon any change of service provision. It is particularity prevalent in the cleaning services sector, and failures to comply with TUPE legislation can result in fines for both your company and the cleaning companies involved of circa £10,000 per employee!
You can learn a lot more about TUPE and cleaning providers in a previous more detailed blog written specifically on the subject by us by clicking here which will open this in a new window, and find official government advice about this legislation by clicking here.
More often than not, companies are reluctant to change company to end up with the same cleaners, who invariably they weren't happy with.
In most cases, we have found that the poor quality is a consequence of a poor management and supervision, with little or no training. This alone can prevent cleaners feeling valued and wanting to take pride in their work. If the cleaners are left with no guidance, no supervision and reviews they might not realise their work is under the expected standards.
"Hi guys. I cannot believe the transformation with our cleaners since you have started - I would never have believed they were the same cleaners!"
GENERAL MANAGER - Brasserie Blanc, West Sussex
We took this contract on in early 2020. There were two cleaners in place who were very good at their job, but demotivated by their previous employer due to again being on minimum wage, and never getting cleaning products they needed to complete their role properly. Below is feedback from the practice group manager:
"Can I just say a big thank you, it is such a relief to have an efficient company looking after our cleaning needs and I know Tracy and Charlie are much happier working for you now. The proof is how little we have to communicate with you!"
PRACTICE MANAGER - Doctors surgery Group, Hampshire
It is highly likely that you are exploring the process for changing cleaning provider based on one of the following common problems, unless this is due to a routine tender process.
Most companies will begin to research the process for changing cleaning provider due to receiving poor cleaning standards. There can be a number of reasons for this. It is true that like most things in life, everyone can't be good at everything. Some people will simply never be able to clean well.
Good training and employee supervision should be able to prevent this issue. Staff need to feel valued, and people that are trained to clean properly will take more pride in their work, and feel more valued.
Another cause for poor cleaning standards can be a company trying to cut corners, and placing cheap, sub-standard cleaning equipment and chemicals on site which aren't fit for purpose.
At Green Fox Cleaning, our cleaners are trained to a nationally recognised standard by our British Institute of Cleaning Science accredited in-house training team.
Another common reason we hear of people researching the process for changing cleaning provider is because they have found out that their cleaners have been skipping time.
They have either found out through alarm systems, CCTV or in some cases, the cleaner blatantly leaving early when staff are on premises.
This can be infuriating to say the least, especially when you come in to work the next morning to find the cleaner hasn't even turned up and you have a dirty premises.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we run an advanced and live time GPS system monitored round the clock by an on-call manager. This will alert to any sites where a cleaner doesn't clock in or out as expected, or if the full clean length is not completed. A live time investigation is made, ensuring any such issues do not arise.
If there is one thing more frustrating than receiving a poor service, it is trying to complain about the service, only to be ignored or not hear back for days on end. We have all experienced this with large companies for sure.
With our focus at Green Fox Cleaning being that of providing a local commercial cleaning service, we respond to all client contact live time, with a dedicated office support team. Can we guarantee there will never be an issue? Of course not. Can be guarantee if there was an issue that we will respond to it promptly and effectively? Absolutely!
Perhaps slightly less common but still in the top three reasons for people researching the process for changing cleaning provider the process for changing cleaning provider is because their cleaning service cost has increased, or they are simply exploring their options. If this is the sole reason, we would always recommend careful consideration before making any changes. There are plenty of cheap cleaning companies out there, but they are cheap for a reason. Having said that, any increases should be reasonable and in keeping with other factors such as increases to the national minimum wage and national living wage.
A good commercial cleaning company is unlikely to be the cheapest, but should offer a great value service. Things such as staff training, 24-hour client support and good cleaning equipment all cost money. If a company seems super cheap - they are almost certainly cheap for a reason.
If you make a rash jump to a cheap cleaning company, it is likely that as soon as the contract ends, you will be refreshing your memory on the correct the process for changing cleaning provider and starting the process again. Learn more about the balance of price versus value by clicking here.
Sadly we are seeing more and more commercial cleaning companies closing down in these challenging times of coronavirus and the knock on effect being experienced by many companies.
If this is the case and there were cleaners in situ, be aware that TUPE as detailed above will still be applicable.
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding in relation to the process for changing cleaning provider. The process doesn't have to be daunting, but just needs careful consideration surrounding the reasons why you making the decision.
While there are many cleaning companies getting it wrong and racking up far too many mistakes, there are companies getting it right, day after day.
To find out how Green Fox Cleaning can assist improving the appearance of your premises, please click here to get in touch and request a free, no obligation quote.
You can read a previous blog of ours about key questions to ask a potential new cleaning company also by clicking here.
Green cleaning in the most simple of explanations means cleaning in a way that’s not just safe for people and safe for the environment, but that’s also sustainable in the long term. It refers to the use of cleaning methods and products with environmentally friendly ingredients and procedures which are designed to preserve human health and environmental quality.
The aim of this change in cleaning is showing a commitment to making the world a better place for not only us now, but for many generations to come.
In this day and age where we all want to do more to help save the planet and be more environmentally friendly, it should be no surprise at all that more and more businesses are seeking to engage the cleaning services of commercial cleaning companies that embrace green cleaning as part of their daily working process.
Cleaning sustainability just means cleaning in a way that we could keep on doing, day after day after day — and most importantly, without draining the planet’s resources to the point that future generations couldn’t do the same. Sounds simple, right?
The reality is that a complete change with all companies moving to cleaning in a more green way won’t be a quick fix. It requires a change in mindset for companies that do not already embrace this – it is often the case that environmentally friendly products may be slightly more expensive, and this discourages some companies from using them as much as we would like to think they would.
At Green Fox cleaning, the inclusion of the word green in our title should give assurance to our clients that we are passionate about green cleaning, and we are an environmentally conscious company.
A few of our processes and practices that work towards green cleaning include the following:
The usage of dosage systems for daily use cleaning products, reducing our plastic usage by up to 99% in these key daily use products
Only engaging the services of carefully selected cleaning supply companies that share our environmentally friendly approach.
The placement of local cleaning operatives at all sites, to significantly reduce our corporate carbon footprint.
Though often overlooked, the cleaning products that are selected and used at your business premises may well be affecting the health of your employees, the cleaning staff, and visitors to your office if you are not already engaging a commercial cleaning company committed to green cleaning. The chemicals found in common cleaning products can have many negative impacts, including contributing to asthma, cancer, and increased birth defects.
Furniture polish is usually made of petroleum distillates and solvents, both of which are hazardous to health. At the very least, they're both poisonous, so why keep them around when there are plenty of earth-friendly ways to polish your wood items and sanitise them fully?
A good commercial cleaning company that is committed to green cleaning should be able to hold a significantly lower range of products compared to those that don’t. As an example, at Green Fox Cleaning we will typically place no more than three or four different products at most sites (subject to specialist cleaning requirements of course!), but we have lost count of how many times we have seen cleaning cupboards containing 20 or more products – just think how much more effect on the environment the production, collection and stocking of these products has on the environment – not very green!
To find out more about how Green Fox Cleaning can deliver green cleaning to to your premises, simply click here to learn more about how we can help improve the appearance of your business with ours, with a total commitment and focus to delivering green cleaning.
You can learn more about this subject from Wikipedia by clicking here.
Why should you hire a professional cleaning company for commercial cleaning services? This article will give 7 great reasons! If you decide to hire a commercial cleaning company, this decision can bring great benefits to your business.
Why should you hire a professional cleaning company? Whatever service your business provides, you provide it because you are an expert in that field and have the skill and knowledge to deliver what your clients expect. Cleaning is no different in this respect – cleaners at a good commercial cleaning company are highly trained in how to clean floors, dust, sanitise and much more.
Cleaning is considered much more of a science now. Green Fox Cleaning are members of the British Institute of Cleaning Science, and their in-house accredited trainers deliver this nationally recognised standard to our fantastic workforce.
If you are cleaning in-house, chances are you probably have some basic sprays and toilet cleaners for your cleaning. Selection of the best cleaning products will vary sector by sector, and the most effective products will not be found on supermarket shelves.
Why should you hire a professional cleaning company? At Green Fox Cleaning, we have tried and tested hundreds of products. We now have a concise range of highly effective, environmentally friendly cleaning products which massively reduce our plastic usage.
Chances are at some point in your life, you have worked in an office or other venue that didn’t employ contract cleaners. Bins overflow, there is no toilet roll when you need it, and debris is obvious on both floors and desks. Nobody enjoys working in an unclean environment.
Why should you hire a professional cleaning company? Another truth is that most people simply don’t enjoy cleaning. If you ask your staff to clean before or after their shift, it will be affective their morale – whether they admit it or not.
A clean environment with regular sanitisation services will reduce the number of staff sick days per year also. When your premises is clean, it will reduce the risk of bacteria and viruses in the workplace. This will save money on sick days paid, and delays in completing work.
Why should you hire a professional cleaning company? With the ongoing risk of Covid-19 spreading, regular sanitisation with the correct cleaning products to high touch points such as door handles and light switches is essential, and requires specialist knowledge.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we can offer 24-hour response to any suspected cases of Covid-19 at your workplace using the latest chemicals and equipment, minimising any downtime. Click here to learn more about this specialist service.
Staff absence, performance issues and the like should be a thing of the past. A clear agreed schedule should be agreed between you and a potential cleaning company, so there is no confusion over what is expected from every single clean.
A good commercial cleaning company should complete regular audits and ensure that the process ultimately runs invisibly, to your total satisfaction. They should also have measures and processes in place to make sure you never miss a clean.
Why should you hire a professional cleaning company? At Green Fox Cleaning, every single clean is GPS tracked and monitored round the clock by an on-call manager. This means you be assured you will never come in to a missed clean.
Most businesses want cleaning completed outside business hours, with the exception of some sanitisation and other cleaning services. A good cleaning company should work round the clock, with the cleaning fairies working their magic after your finish, and before you arrive the next day.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we work 24/7 for our clients, with a 24-hour client support line, meaning we are there when our clients need us the most.
The most noticeable overall benefit to your business will be the physical transformation.
You will be surprised at just how much of a difference a good commercial cleaning company can make to the look of your business. Your business will be gleaming and will become a very welcoming environment. With the selection of a good commercial cleaning company, you should be 100% satisfied with the look of your business after every single clean. A professional cleaning routine like this leaves a great impression every single time.
Did you know – 83% of visitors won’t return to your premises if your washroom is dirty!
| No need to manage cleaning staff for performance issues |
| The cost is fixed and known - no unexpected sick pay |
| Regular inspections to ensure standards are maintained |
| Automatic cover in the event of sickness or holiday |
| The most effective chemicals and machinery are used |
| No need to monitor cleaning equipment stock levels |
| The above is all true if you hire a good commercial cleaning company |
If this has got you thinking that you need to look at hiring a cleaning company, click here to read our blog about the most important questions to ask a new commercial cleaning company before making your decision.
Why should you hire a professional cleaning company? We hope the above has answered this question for you now. Good luck in whatever decision you make!
The purpose of this blog is to help you selecting the UK's best office vacuum cleaner UK market.
Selecting the best vacuum cleaner for your office, school, retirement living premises or any other sector is not always a straightforward decision. The purpose of this article is to give some guidance to help you make the best choice.
There are three main types of vacuum cleaner that you are likely to be considering if purchasing to use in-house. A good commercial cleaning company will have access to other options including backpack vacuums, but the following three types are the ones for you to realistically consider.
| Is the vacuum being used out of hours? Do trailing cables matter or not? |
| How big is the area being vacuumed? |
| How far is it between plug sockets if you are using a cabled vacuum? |
| How far is it between plug sockets if you are using a cabled vacuum? |
| What sort of area needs vacuuming – are there small areas where a larger vacuum may not be able to access? |
| Your budget |
The easiest way to quickly describe a tub vacuum cleaner is by saying Henry vacuum cleaner.
A tub vacuum as the title suggests, has a main tub base, and a pipe that leads to a separate pipe with the head on it. Smaller and lighter than upright vacuums, tub vacuum cleaners are great when storage is limited.
The long hose is also beneficial if you have a lot of stairs to vacuum at your premises, meaning you can leave the tub on the landing, and complete the task with the hose.
Most tub vacuums will require a bag and this must be checked regularly to ensure it isn’t overfilled. There any many eco-friendly bags now that are made from paper, with no plastic part at all. Having a bag is also beneficial if you suffer dust allergies, compared to stick vacuums or bagless vacuums, where the dust is held in a canister and has to be manually emptied.
Most tub vacuums are corded, so you should ensure that your workplace has enough plug sockets to service the vacuum you are selecting. Cord lengths of vacuums can vary by as much as four metres. The cable length of a standard Henry Vacuum is 10 metres.
For most offices, it is hard to beat a Henry Vacuum from a balance of performance and cost. We think that a Henry is a solid contender when it comes to selecting the best office vacuum cleaner UK
For larger premises, more consideration is required around the next two options also.
Upright vacuums typically offer a larger head that a tub vacuum. This enables them to cover more surface area and reduce vacuuming time needed. Powerful brushes help to beat the carpet pile to improve results and larger capacities reduce the frequency of bag changes.
Upright vacuums are considered the most reliable type of vacuum cleaner, with some models known to last 15-20 years. This alone makes them a strong contender for the best office vacuum cleaner UK due to the lifespan of them.
The design of an upright means that it has to be built with strong materials as it has to withstand a lot of punishment when cleaning.
Cable length of the vacuum should always be a consideration as above in the tub vacuum.
Stick vacuum cleaners are the more recent addition to the range, with Dyson being the most well-known brand, due largely to their extensive advertising.
Battery powered stick vacuum cleaners are flexible and fast, making them extremely agile. You can take it into places where corded vacuums can’t reach or are inconvenient to use. No searching for an outlet or dragging out heavy, invasive extension cords. You just grab and go.
They are normally (not always) bagless, and naturally have a smaller chamber for holding dust and dirt as sucked up, so always ensure the vacuum has sufficient capacity for the requirement of your workplace.
Something to consider is that you would need a suitable location for a charging point to be mounted. Many premises do not have a dedicated cleaning cupboard with a spare plug socket. The best office vacuum cleaner UK without a charge point if cordless becomes the worst vacuum cleaner!
Stick vacuums are generally the least robust and need to be handled carefully. Balance them against a table, let them fall and they may stop working! Due to their bagless chambers they also have a filter that will need cleaning more often.
A good stick vacuum will normally be the most expensive. As an example, we have placed four of the latest Dyson V11 stick vacuums at a large office block that we clean daily with multiple cleaning operatives. The outlay for these four vacuums was circa £2,000 compared to circa £400 if we had placed four Henry Vacuums, but the stick vacuums allow much better, quicker vacuuming of large call centre areas and achieve a better result. We focus on placing the best option at every site to achieve the best result, rather than the cheapest option.
The Dyson V11 gives a digital display showing how much running time is left for the user, automatically varies the power depending on the floor type, and has exceptional suction power for a cordless unit.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we have tried and tested many vacuums, with manufacturers often approaching us to try their latest models, with many claiming they have the best office vacuum cleaner UK. We operate all three of the above styles, as well as other vacuums such as backpack vacuums, in areas of heavy footfall. We provide vacuum cleaners as part of our regular cleaning services at all premises, and will always place the most effective one for your premises.
Ultimately, what you consider the best office vacuum cleaner UK will come down largely to the above points.
We place the best vacuum cleaner and all other products at every premises. To find out more about our office cleaning services, click here to learn more about our office cleaning service. We would be delighted to provide a free, no obligation quote.
Let us place the Best office vacuum cleaner UK at your premises, or whatever sector you operate within.
How to choose a new cleaning company for your business can seem a daunting decision. There are many questions that you will want to ask a new commercial cleaning company, to ensure you make the right selection.
Companies change cleaning companies for a number of reasons. The usual one is that the service or cleaning standard isn't what they had hoped for, so they are now on the look out for a good commercial cleaning company to replace their existing contractor.
Here are what we consider the most important questions to ask, to make an informed selection when looking at how to choose a new cleaning company for your business:
When hiring a commercial cleaning company for your business you will want to make sure that they can provide all the services required for your premises. A certain company might seem like a good fit, but then you find out they are unable to offer additional services such as window cleaning or the supply of consumables.
If you are looking for a complete cleaning solution, then you will end up having to hire additional companies, which may well be a hassle monetarily and practically. It is best practice to confirm that the company you plan to hire can address all the unique cleaning needs for your specific type of facility.
Another consideration when deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business is how responsive the company can be towards emergencies. For example in the event of a suspect Covid outbreak, do they have the specialist chemicals and machinery to tackle this, and can you contact them outside these hours.
Green Fox Cleaning offer a wide range of services, to meet clients needs for all daily cleaning services, as well as emergency response services such as Covid-19 response cleans with a 24-hour client support line. Learn more about these services by clicking here.
A reliable and trustworthy cleaning company knows how to do whatever job is needed in an efficient and effective manner with their own supplies. Commercial cleaning companies generally hold a much higher standard of cleaning and therefore use more advanced, efficient, and high-quality cleaning implements.
A cleaning company that brings their own cleaning equipment is fantastic because it saves you the cost of buying cleaning supplies while giving your building access to a superior cleaning. Specialist machinery may also be beneficial depending on the type of floors at your premises to achieve the best results.
When deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business, be wary of companies that seem unable / unwilling to provide products.
At Green Fox Cleaning, our tried and tested product selection allows us to provide environmentally products that are highly efficient with heavily reduced plastic usage, as well as full COSHH safety information.
More and more often, commercial cleaning companies are popping up, who either sub-contract out their contracts, or use self-employed cleaners.
This allows them to offer a cheaper service as they do not have to budget holiday pack, sick pay pension etc, however they have no control over the cleaners. If they decide they don't want to work today, they don't have to. They can also leave the role with no notice, causing disruption to your cleaning regime. The line between employment and self-employment can be a fine one - for example anyone self employed should not be wearing a company uniform.
When deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business - make sure staff are looked after, as this will indirectly benefit you.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we directly employ our staff, pay them fairly and always above the minimum wage (unlike many of our competitors). This gives us great retention rates and motivated staff, dedicated at every site. You can learn more about our employees by clicking here. Don't be afraid to ask a company what they pay their cleaning operatives.
Time and time again, we heard of clients coming in to a dirty office, school or even doctors surgery in the morning, to find their cleaning contractor has failed to turn up the night before as scheduled. The knock on effect of this is both obvious and significant and is a serious consideration when deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business
At Green Fox Cleaning, we operate an advanced GPS employee tracking system that is monitored round the clock by an on-call manager. In the event of an employee failing to clock in (or out) as expected, the manager is alerted live time and will investigate, be that 3am or 3pm. In the event of the cleaner failing to attend, a manager or supervisor will attend to complete the clean, ensuring you never come in to a dirty premises!
This also gives you confidence that you are getting the time you are paying for, as we often hear of time being skipped by other companies.
A main benefit of outsourcing your cleaning apart from removing the staff management and covering sickness, performance issues etc is that you should be able to almost forget about the cleaning, with standards monitored and maintained at all times.
An important question to ask is what type of quality assurance measures the company has in place so you can learn how the company manages the quality of work done by their employees.
If a company is not carrying out regular inspections at a minimum, you may want to consider hiring another company when deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business
At Green Fox Cleaning, our approach of providing an unrivalled local commercial cleaning service means that we are close enough to provide regular site inspections and audits. These will largely be completed out of hours during or after the cleaning session, to minimise any disruption to our clients. Daytime audits will be completed where preferred or where more appropriate, for example retirement living premies.
If you ask the company what they know about TUPE and they stare blankly, be very wary. TUPE relates to the transfer of undertakings and protection of employment regulations 2006. If you have cleaners in place either employed in-house or via another company, they may have a legal right to remain in post with any new company. Fines are typically £10,000 per employee for any breaches of this employment law! Learn more about TUPE by clicking here.
When deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business - make sure they understand this hot topic.
At Green Fox Cleaning, our dedicated HR team are experienced in handling the TUPE process where it may apply, and giving clear advice around this subject.
Even if a cleaning company is affordable, efficient, and meets all your needs, a fundamental scheduling conflict can mar the entire experience. For example, for industries that stay open later into the evening, like restaurants and pubs, a cleaning company that only provides services during regular workday hours is not going to be a feasible option.
Likewise, companies that close over the weekend may not be suitable for your needs, if you require a cleaning service seven days a week. The decision of how to choose a new cleaning company for your business needs consideration to ensure the company can operate exactly when you need them.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide a personalised service to each and every client to meet their needs and expectations.
No-one wants to think of accidents happening, but the reality is they do. Windows break, people trip and fall. When accidents happen, it is important to know that you will not be held liable for damages.
You should always check what levels of public liability insurance the company hold, and request for copies of them. This simple check could save you a headache further down the line if a serious accident was to occur.
A key consideration of how to choose a new cleaning company for your business - make sure they are properly insured.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we hold both public liability insurance and employers liability insurance to a value of £5 million each.
Before selecting a cleaning company and considering how to choose a new cleaning company for your business, you want to make sure they are experienced in your sector. A cleaning company that only clean a few small offices are unlikely to be suitable if your premises is a large office block needing a cleaning team every night, or a school or medical practice, where different vetting and cleaning processes are required. Another key question when deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business - ensure they are experienced in your sector.
Green cleaning is great for the environment as well as your employees. If having a lighter environmental footprint is something that is important to you, then you may want to consider asking about the company’s green cleaning protocols and use when deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business. Also ask to see the company's environmental policy - if they look blankly at you this may well suggest they are not too hot on this area. How to choose a new cleaning company for your business should have a real focus on this - as the operations of the commercial cleaning company could reflect on your company - good or bad.
At Green Fox Cleaning we have a clear environmental policy, and use eco-friendly products to massively reduce plastic wastage. Our local service and local staff also massively reduces our company carbon footprint compared to some national companies with limited or no local support.
We also offer other environmental workplace improvements to our clients such as centralised bin systems - click here to learn more about this. Having access to extra services may be beneficial when deciding how to choose a new cleaning company for your business, to streamline the process.
There are of course, many more questions that you may wish to ask when making your own choice on how to choose a new cleaning company for your business
If you feel that Green Fox Cleaning can help improve the appearance of your business with ours, click here to request a free, no obligation quote from your local office.
The process around how to choose a new cleaning company for your business is hopefully a little clearer for you now!
Centralised bin systems are a great addition to any workplace, and demonstrate commitment to reducing plastic wastage as caused by individual desk bins.
They also help employee wellbeing, as it encourages employees to walk a short distance to the bin, thus reducing discomfort from being in a fixed seating position all day.
Quite simply, centralised bin systems are groups of bins to cover generally rubbish and recycling. They are placed at strategic points in premises. One centralised bin system of one rubbish and one recycling bin will typically serve 10-20 employees and remove the need for 10-20 individual desk bins and associated bin liners.
There are numerous benefits to the implementation of a centralised bin system. Here are just a few of the benefits:
Google has made several conscious efforts to improve their corporate social responsibility across the company. One of the most impactful changes Google implemented was the removal of desk bins from individual employee desks in their London office. By removing the bins, Google saw a 50% rise in recycling rates across their office. This simple move helped Google meets its green initiative goals.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we have access to various centralised bin options that we have supplied successfully to clients. We have received excellent feedback from these clients since they have been implemented.
The below image shows our preferred bin option to supply to clients. They are used in our own Head Office premises. These bins have a great 70 litre capacity, and are made from 100% recycled plastic.
We also provide recycled plastic bin liners, showing your commitment to the environment even more.
To find out more Green Fox Cleaning about how we can help provide centralised bin options for your workplace, and/or cleaning services - simply click here to contact us for a free, no obligation quote.
Centralised bin systems can make a real difference to your workplace. We hope this article has given you a good understanding of the reasons why.
The benefits of workplace recycling are something that is more than likely not considered as often, nor as seriously as it should be. This is despite the fact that sustainability and recycling are apparently a priority in the minds of organisations both large and small - with 95% of businesses claiming to take this matter seriously in a recent survey.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the recycling rate has increased from just 7 percent in 1960 to the current rate of over 35 percent. While we have come a long way since 1960, we have a lot of room for improvement. As the climate crisis rages on with little hope on the horizon, every person and workplace not only in the United Kingdom, but in the world, can do their part by getting educated about recycling and putting implementation programs in place.
Recycling is the collection and processing of materials that are not considered rubbish, but those that could be processed and turned into new useable materials. Some materials that are considered recyclable include plastics, metal cans, aluminum, paper, cardboard, paperboard, glass and organic material from municipal solid waste.
On the flip side, there are many items that cannot be recycled that sometimes make their way into recycling containers, which causes issues for the community. Some materials that cannot be recycled include food waste, plastic bags and hazardous waste.
Use your internal communications such as newsletters, email, and office posters to first introduce your new recycling scheme – make sure to use persuasive and engaging language to create a buzz around the idea.
Make sure that your employees know that they will be making a real difference to the environment by doing their bit. You should introduce the new scheme a week or so before it is officially introduced and then once again on the day.
There are many benefits to recycling besides the few that you may already have considered. These include keeping local communities clean and lightening the environmental footprint of businesses. One major benefit of recycling is that it helps create local jobs, and wages that are often spent back into the local economy.
Other significant benefits of recycling include:
Job seekers are attracted to organisations with sustainable practices. A recent survey found that just over 65% of people want to work for an organisation with a powerful social conscience. Incorporating greener practices such as office recycling can therefore help to increase customer growth by attracting and retaining a greater number of people when it comes to hiring, growing your reputation amongst those seeking to work for a greener organisation.
Sustainability is often an influential factor for customers. A recent survey showed that over 70% of the UK participants would like more information on the environmental friendliness of brands, so make sure your commitment to recycling is known by prospective customers.
Being vocal about your company recycling efforts could win you loyalty from both new and old customers.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we offer support to our clients to improve their environmental policies, and reduce their wastage through various methods and processes, including the introduction of centralised office recycling bin systems. Click here to learn more about our centralised bin options.
Further government advice around waste removal can be found by clicking here. Office recycling is something that really does need to be taken more seriously, and we hope this article has shown the benefits it can bring also.
What do commercial cleaning companies charge UK?How long is a piece of string? Ok, so that comment is a little tongue in cheek, but there are many factors that will determine the charges made by a commercial cleaning company in the UK.
A few of the key factors that will determine what do commercial cleaning companies charge UK? will include the following:
| Protecting the cleaning operative and keeping them safe |
| Providing a clean and safe environment to the client |
| Preserving assets, and prolonging the life of equipment through proper care and understanding |
| Promoting sustainability |
| Producing best practice - cleaning efficiently is a skill in itself |
As the below image shows, you will largely get what you pay for. The left image shows a Green Fox Cleaning employee cleaning a veterinary practice using advanced floor cleaning equipment, and the right shows another company that can do it for a couple of pounds an hour less.
Ok so we may have exaggerated slightly, but you must consider the value of a cleaning service rather than price alone, as the person on the right will take twice as long, and may end up costing most!
Click here to learn more about price versus value when selecting a good commercial cleaning company and considering what do commercial cleaning companies charge UK?
What do commercial cleaning companies charge UK? What should you expect to pay, or what do you want to pay? As the above information has explained, services and their associated prices will vary considerably. We wary of companies that are very cheap however, as someone will suffer. Whether that is you as the client, or an "off the books" worker being paid below the minimum wage. At Green Fox Cleaning, we value our employees and will always pay above the minimum wage.
As a very rough guide, commercial cleaning services will typically range anywhere between £13 - £22 per hour plus VAT dependant on the above factors to include the supply of basic cleaning products and equipment, more if more specialist equipment is required, and less if the client is providing all cleaning products to the company.
To get a free and no obligation quote for your cleaning needs, click here.
What do commercial cleaning companies charge UK? Hopefully you now feel better informed to make the best decision for your business.
The purpose of this article is to give you some great office cleaning tips.
Keeping your office clean should never be a hassle. It doesn’t matter whether you clean daily, weekly or monthly, or you outsource your cleaning to a local commercial cleaning company. Your working space should always be kept clean and safe for everyone.
By adapting the following simple changes, it should make the cleaning of your office a much ore straightforward and efficient process for all involved.
It sounds obvious, but the more items on a desk, the longer and harder it is to clean. Try and neatly pile paperwork where possible prior to cleaning, and minimise other items on your desk. This will also reduce the risk of bacteria or viruses hanging around on surfaces or objects that may not be cleaned as thoroughly as they perhaps should be, such as pen pots.
Vacuuming and mopping floors should be the last part of any office clean. Whilst it may seem a great idea to do it quickly at the start to get it out of the way, any dust or items dislodged will fall to the floor, meaning you will have to repeat the process and spend longer cleaning.
Start with your high dusting, then shelves, ledges and desks, and floors last of all.
Bins should be emptied on a regular basis to prevent the risk of bad smells, and should be cleaned inside and out on a regular basis to remove any spills and keep them as clean as possible. Use centralised bin systems where possible to reduce bin bag wastage and overall time on this task.
If you don't use an office cleaning company, you may well not know what the best cleaning products to clean your office are. Learn more about selecting the best cleaning products to clean your office at this link.
Having a clean office is great, but make sure you don't forget other areas such as toilets, kitchens and reception areas which are equally as important. Your whole venue needs to look great and be clean to keep everyone safe, and give a positive impression to visitors.
Don't forget - a cleaner workplace WILL result in fewer work days lost through sickness.
To learn more about how Green Fox Cleaning can assist with your office cleaning needs, click here to learn more and get in touch to request a free, no obligation quote. Whether you employ in-house, have a company you aren't happy with or don't yet have cleaners, we can help.
Learn more about where the office concept first originated from at this link.
At Green Fox Cleaning, we often get asked where the name come from? So we thought it would be good to share this story.
When our company originally formed in 2016, it was given the name "Workplace Cleaning." At that time we wanted something simple, and doing exactly what the name suggested.
As we continued growing, we decided that this name really wasn't strong enough as a brand, with our plans to expand across the country, opening local offices to deliver an unrivalled commercial cleaning service. It also became apparent quickly that Workplace Cleaning being a descriptive term couldn't be trademarked, and trying to grow a nationally recognised brand without protection was a non-starter.
The company directors Paul and Daniel Barrett began the painstaking process of considering new names and brand ideas, working late into more nights than they care to recall, and putting various options to trusted advisory parties.
The winning name after much consideration was, of course, Green Fox Cleaning.
Below are the original and new logos, as the image of the company was transformed in early 2019:
The Green Fox Cleaning name was decided on the following key areas surrounding our business model:
A major focus on our business approach is that of being conscious company. Just a few of our operating methods to consider the environment include:
We considered all sorts of other names to add to the green element, and decided on fox for the simple reason that our cleaning services operate round the clock, and often at night. Foxes are largely nocturnal. With Paul and Daniel being animal lovers, the new company name was always likely to feature an animal of some sort.
Other animal names were considered, but just didn't have the same "ring" when said out loud as Green Fox, or the same link. Paul and Daniel have always had pet cats, but Green Cat just didn't sound right!
So there you have it, that is how Green Fox was born. To learn more about our company, our vision and how we value our staff, visit this link.
