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A green cleaning revolution

27 November 2023

Brent Stansfield discusses the factors that are driving the use of natural cleaning products in food production environments.

The natural cleaning industry is seeing some impressive growth, with the UK market alone set to be worth nearly £1 billion by 2030. More food producers are switching to natural cleaning products and are seeing a wide range of benefits, including:

Health and safety: One of the most significant advantages of using natural cleaning products is what they don’t contain – namely harsh chemicals such as chlorine and ammonia which can be harmful if inhaled or if it comes into contact with skin. Plus, they can often be toxic to the environment and disrupt aquatic ecosystems, while also speeding up wear and tear on equipment and surfaces. 

Natural alternatives can significantly reduce the risk of respiratory issues, skin conditions and other health concerns for workers in food production settings. 

Cost-effective solutions: It is a common misconception that eco-friendly products are expensive. Today increasing competition and demand has meant that green cleaning products are competitively priced when compared to their chemical counterparts. This makes them more attractive to the food industry, where costs and profit margins are two of the most important deciding factors. 

Versatility: Green cleaning products are versatile and can often be used across more than one application. This versatility not only simplifies cleaning procedures, but also reduces the need for a wide range of products when one natural and sustainable product will cover all bases. Green cleaning products can be formulated for use in everything from misting solutions and food washes to surface cleaning, eliminating the need for multiple cleaners, for example. 

Food environment efficacy: Environmentally-friendly cleaning products can increase the shelf-life of fresh cut and open structured produce. Alongside this, some green cleaning products can have an impressive lifespan. Once applied, eco-friendly cleaning solutions can provide up to 30 days sanitation in some applications – notably for surface cleaning and in food logistics for the sanitation of delivery vehicles. 

Sustainability: Eco-friendly cleaning products are derived from ethically-sourced and renewable, natural resources - with typical ingredients including citrus, seeds, vegetables and pine oils. Those that utilise waste products have an additional benefit, in that they significantly reduce the quantity of virgin resources required for manufacture, as part of the circular economy.

This means they are not only more sustainable but also fully biodegradable. Green cleaning products will also likely come in fully recyclable or biodegradable packaging, making them even more sustainable. 

Low environmental Impact: The low volatile organic compound (VOC) content of natural cleaners isn’t just a sustainability benefit. It also means they can be used by operators without the need for PPE – helping to reduce risk and cost.  Green cleaning solutions are biodegradable according to standard methods, making them an eco-friendly choice that doesn't harm aquatic species or the overall ecosystem. 

The green cleaning revolution is on the rise, driven by a wide range of benefits, especially in food production environments. Green cleaning products not only eliminate harmful chemicals from the workplace environment, but they can also offer a cost-effective alternative. Alongside that, natural cleaning products have a low environmental impact and are versatile. Choosing natural cleaning isn't just about cleanliness; it's a step towards a safer, greener, and more sustainable future.

Brent Stansfield is the founder of Bio Solutions Group. 


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