Clean Planet the New Face of Green-Washing

Media Release
December 2009

Clean Planet the New Face of Green-Washing

Clean Planet, New Zealand’s first dedicated eco-friendly commercial cleaning company, is giving new meaning to the term green-washing and satisfying businesses’ appetite for environmentally sustainable suppliers.

Founded just 18 months ago, the business has grown exponentially from an initial three franchises to more than 25 throughout Auckland.

The company is now also producing its own innovative locally manufactured commercial green-cleaning products, which have recently achieved independent Environmental-Choice accreditation. Approximately 90% of the products Clean Planet franchisees currently use are produced in the company’s Mangere Bridge factory.

The company’s clients include some of New Zealand’s most demanding workplaces, from blood test provider Labtests to industrial manufacturer Fletcher Steel to retail shopping centre Southmall.

Clean Planet director Mark Houghton Brown says many companies are developing sustainability strategies and look for suppliers to help them ‘walk the talk.’

“There’s huge demand for truly environmentally-friendly services, not just tokenism, and companies are paying attention to what’s going down their sink for both the health of their staff and the health of our environment,” he says.

“Our mission is ultimately quite simple. The cleaning industry is essential, but it has a highly destructive impact on human health and the environment. We want to turn this around, and show there is another way; initially by developing and using naturally-derived, ecologically-benign yet formidably effective formulations which are kind to people and animals and biodegrade rapidly once they have done their job, and then by bearing down holistically on every aspect of the business, so we can help our clients to be green as well as clean.

“The huge response to what we’re doing tells us that we’re on the right track – that more and more people see there is a better way and want to support it,” he says.

Clean Planet aims to significantly reduce its use of chemical based cleaners; the products they use avoid environmentally-damaging chemicals such as bleaches, chlorine based cleaners, EDTA, dyes or phosphates and keep the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to an absolute minimum.

Its cleaning team’s uniforms are made from sustainable textiles; all franchisees drive Euro 4 eco-friendly vehicles; customers are supplied with eco-friendly cleaning products and consumables for use between visits; and its vacuum cleaners have special filters to clean the air, while only Norwex microfibre cloths are used for cleaning.

Where possible, the company uses products with Environmental-Choice certification, this includes its own formulations of new-generation multi-purpose cleaner, toilet clean and dishwashing liquid. It also aims to have as many Clean Planet-produced products as possible certified to this standard.

Alan Cameron, centre manager for Southmall in Manurewa, says his decision to move to Clean Planet fits with a new campaign to update Southmall’s image and reduce the centre’s carbon footprint. “We believe environmental sustainability is important – we all need to be doing something and Clean Planet provided an ideal solution,” he says.

One of the major changes Clean Planet has implemented with Southmall is the use of a new environmentally friendly floor scrubber, which can save thousands of litres of water each year and eliminates the use of chemicals. The technology electrically converts plain tap water to perform like a powerful detergent, with no added chemicals.

“We’re saving up to 40% of water use which all adds up in terms of cost savings,” says Alan. “The service we have received from our franchisee has been absolutely brilliant. It’s obvious our Clean Planet operator has real pride and belief in their work, which is great,” he says.

The next stage in Clean Planet’s evolution will be launching the company’s own range of eco-friendly household cleaning products, which is planned for the coming year. They are also looking to spread their green-cleaning services further afield, with the establishment of the first Clean Planet regional franchisees outside Auckland including Wellington and Christchurch.

The first product in the Clean Planet home range is Clean Planet Hand Clean Gel, a hand sanitiser with skin conditioners that is free from phosphates or EDTA’s and contains no nasty colours or dyes. The products are allergy-friendly and not harmful to children or adult hands. The range is available in Amcal and Unichem Pharmacies nationwide from mid November.

ENDS

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