• INCLEAN Editor

What’s the real value of “clean”?

4 December, 2024

A recent webinar demonstrated the role a new ISSA toolkit can play in helping businesses understand the importance of cleaning to their bottom line.

Words: Myke Bartlett

If you want to put a value on the idea of “clean”, take a look at the impact cleaning has on the economy. During a recent webinar on ISSA’s Value of Clean toolkit, ISSA’s chief global membership officer Rosie Rangel said the global cleaning services market was valued at USD $392 billion in 2023, a figure projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 percent.

“By the time we hit 2030, that $392 billion is going to be well beyond $600 billion,” Rangel said.

Hosted in September, the webinar was designed to offer an in-depth overview of ISSA’s updated “Value of Clean” toolkit, a resource aimed at equipping businesses with data and insights into the economic, health and social benefits of maintaining a clean environment. Alongside Alicia Morgan, ISSA Oceania’s membership coordinator, Rangel demonstrated that, while cleaning is often overlooked, it is a critical part of any business’s performance and organisational well-being.

Rangel began described the toolkit as “a beacon” for ISSA members, intended to offer guidance and tools to help shine a light on cleaning’s often undervalued role in the workplace. The toolkit also acts as a “compass” for facility managers, guiding them in making operational decisions that promote health, safety and productivity.

“The toolkit empowers leaders to create environments that promote health, safety and morale. As a resource, it goes beyond standard cleaning, equipping facility managers with the insights to drive not just employee satisfaction but also financial gains.”

A central theme of the webinar was explaining how cleaning practices can directly influence a business’s profitability. Morgan gave a striking example of the way in which cleanliness and maintenance can play an important role in reducing costs associated with work-related injuries and illnesses.

“One direct cost of not maintaining a facility or a workspace is work-related injury and illness,” Morgan said.

“More than half a million Aussies sustain a work-related injury or illness each year at an estimated cost of AUD $6.21 billion a year.”

Investing in cleanliness can prevent costly disruptions, improve productivity and reduce absenteeism, she said.

“This is a story we’re eager to share with facilities and contractors alike. Cleaning isn’t just about budgets and staff—it’s integral to the bottom line.”

The Value of Clean toolkit has evolved over time to better reflect the changing needs of workplaces and the cleaning industry. Originally launched in 2012 and updated in 2020, the latest iteration incorporates new data and insights post-COVID-19, including a focus on healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), sustainability, and indoor air quality.

The inclusion of HAIs reflects growing awareness of infection control measures, especially in healthcare and high-traffic facilities. Indoor air quality has also become a priority, given its influence on worker health and productivity.

Cleanliness is also an investment in workforce morale and resilience. Morgan noted that poor air quality and substandard cleanliness can lead to significant costs related to presenteeism and mental health. UK data suggests that presenteeism related to poor mental health accounts for 46% of total workplace costs, amounting to approximately £24 billion ($48 billion).

“If the numbers in Australia are even half that, then there is a great return on investment in maintaining a clean environment, one by getting your staff back in the office, and two, by preventing the spread of germs to ensure that everyone is enjoying their time as well as being more productive,” Morgan said.

The revised toolkit also acknowledges the increasing importance of sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in the cleaning industry. Rangel said the focus on diversity was another “growing trend,” reflecting that businesses are increasingly measured by their environmental and social impact.

“Environmental impact includes energy consumption, waste and water management and whole of supply approach,” she said.

“Social factors focus on employee treatment and diversity, while governance emphasises leadership transparency and accountability.”

The toolkit is not only a guide for cleaning practices but also on how to align these practices with broader ESG objectives—a priority for many companies aiming to meet shareholder and consumer expectations.

Wrapping up, Morgan said she wanted businesses to see the toolkit as a dynamic and evolving resource that reflected current research and industry trends.

“Resources like this used to be updated every four to eight years. We are updating this toolkit every year, with an increasing global focus,” Morgan said.

“That schedule means the Value of Clean toolkit will stay relevant and help businesses stay informed about best practices and developments that shape the cleaning industry’s impact on health, safety and sustainability.”

In an era where cleanliness has taken on heightened importance due to health and environmental concerns, ISSA’s Value of Clean toolkit serves as a crucial guide. For businesses, it is a reminder that investing in cleaning not only helps prevent illness and reduce costs but also supports employee well-being, while aligning with sustainability goals. In short, maintaining clean, safe and sustainable environments is an essential part of every successful business operation.

ISSA members can access the Value of Clean toolkit and report complimentary. Want to learn more about how this resource can benefit your business? www.issa.com/oceania