ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

ECJ's US reporter Ron Segura looks back at the various cleaning industry events taking place in Chicago last month.

Chicago was the hotspot for all parts of the cleaning industry last month. The focal point was the annual ISSA/INTERCLEAN, which was also attended by members of Building Service Contractors International (BSCAI), Association of Residential Cleaners International (ARCSI), and International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA). Here are some comments from show visitors:

Dick Ollek, president of Consultants in Cleaning: “When I was a BSC I was always going to keep up-to-date for my company. Now I am a consultant, I have many companies relying on me to keep up-to-date and advise them on the latest products, procedures, technology, and processes.
"This one co-located event of BSCAI and ISSA/INTERCLEAN provides the opportunity to get the most current information in the shortest amount of time and it’s all in one place."

Elizabeth Meehan, small business owner: "I had a wonderful time and plan to attend with more co-workers in Vegas next year. I was truly impressed by how large it was, loved the breakout sessions, loved the trade show floor - ISSA knows how to run a show!"

Rick VanderKoy, owner of Secure Clean and environmental services consultant: "I like new ideas and problem-solving/money saving solutions. I would not have expected diamond pads could be used on vinyl composition tile for example.

"The microfibre cloth supplier to Costco was an exhibitor and will sell me directly the same towels in four colours cheaper than Costco - free shipping with an order. I cannot afford NOT to attend.
Meanwhile, the Healthy Schools Campaign also released the fourth edition of its Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.

“It’s incredible to see how much the movement for green cleaning in schools has grown since we launched the first guide in 2006,” said Rochelle Davis, executive editor of the guide and president and ceo of Healthy Schools Campaign.

"We’ve seen huge strides in policy, in the marketplace and on the ground in schools as more and more leaders embrace cleaning for health while protecting the environment. We are proud to be part of making this change and are proud of the team that has come together to support it."

Ten states now require green cleaning in schools and the federal government now recognises green cleaning as a priority with the recently released EPA state school environmental health guidelines. The marketplace for green cleaning has also shifted, with industry leaders offering an ever-increasing range of effective and cost-comparable green options.

Coming up next month is the US Green Building Council's annual convention - Green Build 2012 in San Francisco!