ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Technology is taking an increasingly prominent role in cleaning. But how far can it help companies to achieve their sustainability goals such as cutting emissions, saving energy, reducing water use and minimising chemical usage? Ann Laffeaty considers the point at which sustainability and technology might meet.

TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING at a rapid pace in the cleaning sector. Scarcely a day goes by without a report of a new AI-assisted robot equipped with even more intelligent cleaning capabilities, or a toilet that is able to assess the weight, height, health and hydration levels of its user.

However, as flooding becomes more commonplace the world over and as wildfires rage out of control, the need to protect the planet has never felt more urgent. So in an ideal scenario, technological innovations would combine with sustainable features in order to achieve a ‘smart green clean’.

But how far is this actually happening? Is technology advancing at the expense of sustainability, or can the two disciplines go hand in hand?

Technological solutions such as robots, sensor systems and automated machines all offer the potential for increased sustainability in cleaning, according to Kärcher’s product manager for robotics Alina Seitter. “However, each solution needs to be to individually assessed because their sustainability impact will vary significantly depending on their design, application, and usage patterns,” she says.

“For example, robots can contribute to water and energy savings through adjustable cleaning modes, optimised route planning and efficient brush motors. And precise and controlled dispensing systems will ensure the correct amount of cleaning agent is used, minimising waste and reducing environmental impact.”

Improving sustainability is a key aim of most smart solutions, she says. “However, this is often intertwined with enhancing efficiency and in many cases, improvements in efficiency will directly translate to sustainability gains. For example, optimising cleaning routes not only saves time and labour costs but also reduces energy consumption and emissions.”

Ergonomics play a major part in sustainability, according to Seitter. “The fact robots can take over the more physically demanding tasks helps to reduce strain and fatigue levels on the part of the cleaning staff. But while smart solutions are able to contribute to sustainable outcomes, sustainability is not inherent simply because those solutions make life easier for the cleaner. The design and implementation of the technology is crucial.”

Revolutionised cleaning

Kärcher’s cleaning robots are said to reduce water and energy consumption while also minimising chemical usage. They are equipped with sustainable Li-ion batteries and provide transparency on water and power consumption via a web portal.

Technology has revolutionised the way in which commercial cleaning operations are carried out today, says service provider Cleanology marketing director Kate Lovell. “By leveraging technological advancements FM managers are able to optimise cleaning processes, monitor performance and create safer and healthier environments,” she said. “Technology is therefore enhancing efficiency, productivity and service quality.”

The cleaning industry can have a massive impact on the environment, according to Lovell. “For example, we use fuel to transport our staff members from site to site and once they are there, our operatives use cleaning solutions, products and equipment in the course of their work.”

The use of sensor technology has been a game-changer. “This is not just for Cleanology but for the commercial cleaning sector as a whole,” said Lovell. “By determining which floors of a building are occupied and which are not, companies are able to significantly reduce the number of hours required for cleaning. And this also cuts down on the time it takes for people to open a door and look inside to determine what to clean.”

She says passive infrared sensors can also be employed to measure usage in each toilet area. “And customers can give instant feedback or log issues and access real-time data via their mobile phones or download it to their desktop. Every stage of the work can be monitored with cleaners tapping their keyrings after cleaning has taken place.”

Cleanology focuses its efforts on areas where the greatest environmental impact may be achieved, according to Lovell. Its Cleancopter platform is said to reduce reliance on paper by allowing its teams to manage tasks online while its Cleantelligent system optimises cleaning schedules based on real-time building usage data.

Robots, sensors and automated machines can all be sustainable if they are designed and used correctly, says service provider La Lucente marketing and communications manager Silvia Pugliese. “Today’s technological solutions contribute to reducing emissions, saving energy, managing water and improving efficiency in the use of chemicals. “For example, intelligent sensors and energy monitoring systems allow consumption to be optimised and adapt to needs in real time.”

Energy consumption may also be reduced with the use of intelligent lighting and heating systems. “These will automatically adjust to the presence of people and weather conditions,” said Pugliese. “And the automation of processes and the optimisation of energy consumption can directly contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions. For example, more efficient management of machines and equipment using sensors that detect the best time to start and stop machinery reduces idle periods and the emissions associated with unnecessary consumption.”

Improving sustainability is one of the fundamental goals of intelligent solutions - but not the only one, believes Pugliese. “Efficiency is at the heart of smart technology which aims to reduce waste, lower operating costs and improve performance. However, efficiency is often synonymous with reducing resource use, which also implies an environmental benefit.”

La Lucente is constantly sourcing innovations that meet specific sustainability and efficiency criteria. The company has adopted Fimap’s Performance range which includes Long Range water recycling technology, said to reduce water and detergent consumption by 66 per cent. Also from Fimap is a fleet management system claimed to optimise the use of resources by allowing real-time monitoring of machine usage and activities.

Today’s technological solutions have made significant strides in terms of sustainability, according to Essity’s sustainability communications director Renee Remijnse. “These innovations are designed to optimise resource use, reduce waste and enhance operational efficiency,” she said. “By integrating advanced technologies we can achieve more precise cleaning and hygiene practices and these contribute to overall sustainability goals.”

Hand in hand

Many of today’s smart solutions are engineered to cut emissions by optimising routes and reducing unnecessary movements, she claims. “They also save energy through efficient power management while also reducing water use by employing precise dispensing mechanisms,” said Remijnse. “Additionally, automated machines can minimise chemical usage by ensuring the correct amount is used every time, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact.”

Improving sustainability is a key aim of smart solutions, she adds “However, it goes hand in hand with enhancing efficiency. These solutions are designed to achieve both objectives simultaneously:
by making processes more efficient we inherently reduce resource consumption and waste, which directly contributes to sustainability.

“It is this dual focus on efficiency and sustainability that makes these new technologies so valuable.”
Sustainability covers human factors as well as environments. “Smart solutions can enhance work satisfaction for cleaners by streamlining tasks and reducing unnecessary work,” said Remijnse. “For example, data-driven cleaning software uses real-time data to optimise cleaning schedules, allowing cleaners to focus on high-priority areas. The result is a more efficient workflow, less physical strain and greater job satisfaction.”

Remijnse believes smart solutions can help to streamline tasks. “By minimising the need for repetitive and labour-intensive tasks, technologies not only improve the well-being of cleaning staff but also ensure consistent and optimal use of resources,” she said.

Essity’s Tork Vision Cleaning uses real-time data to optimise cleaning operations. This helps to reduce the number of unnecessary cleaning checks - saving both time and resources.

But can technology actually work against sustainability goals in some circumstances?

Yes, if they are not optimally designed or utilised says La Lucente’s Silvia Pugliese. “One major drawback is that connected devices and automated systems often require more energy to operate and depend on complex hardware such as sensors, microchips and electronic circuits,” she said.

“These require resources to produce, transport and dispose of them. Smart technologies can also lead to faster obsolescence of devices which results in more frequent product replacement and increases the amount of e-waste generated.”

High-tech devices may use more energy than manual tools if they are left unnecessarily switched on, says Cleanology’s Kate Lovell. “This may also occur if they are not optimised for minimal energy use. And the software in some smart cleaning equipment may rely on cloud connectivity or IoT in order to work, and they may become obsolete while their mechanical counterparts are still going strong.”

Some smart solutions may have higher initial energy requirements than manual ones due to embedded computers, sensors and complex operating systems, says Kärcher’s Alina Seitter. “It is therefore important to conduct a comprehensive life cycle assessment to evaluate the overall sustainability of a smart solution compared with simpler alternatives.”