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WORLD NEWS


New Research Highlights Sustainability Benefits Of


Equipment Rental New research from the European Rental Association (ERA), has highlighted the role of the equipment hire sector in improving sustainability.


It comes as the ERA calls for greater recognition for the role that the equipment rental industry can play in helping companies improve sustainability performance.


To further raise the profile of the industry in the sustainability field, the ERA has chosen a theme of “Sustainability as an Opportunity” for its annual Convention, which is this year in Rome on 3-4 June.


How Do Office Workers Interact With Cleaners?


A Europe-wide move towards daytime cleaning is forcing office workers and cleaning staff to work closer together than ever before.


But how comfortable is this situation for office staff? This is what SCA aimed to discover when commissioning an extensive study into the relationship between office workers and cleaners.


“The role of cleaning staff is shifting from being an invisible force to an integrated part of where they work,” said SCA Senior Product Manager Charlotte Branwhite. “We carried out this study to help facilities service managers understand the challenges of daytime cleaning. Hopefully this will help them to streamline the process of switching over from cleaning at night.”


The changeover from nighttime to 22


The ERA argues that equipment rental has intrinsic benefits with regard to sustainability, which deserve greater recognition. Specifically, rented equipment is used more frequently and efficiently, and professional equipment rental companies are better placed to maintain high-quality servicing and operating standards. These, the ERA claims, lead to improved performance in areas including operations, energy efficiency, waste management, and health and safety.


The new research shows that rental companies increasingly see sustainability performance as a way to increase their value to customers, and distinguish themselves in the market. They are therefore introducing a whole range of initiatives in this area.


For example, the research found that rental companies are insisting that original equipment manufacturers


daytime cleaning has gathered pace over the past few years. Facilities service managers are increasingly recognising the benefits of reducing the number of hours spent heating and lighting their buildings while cleaners fulfill their roles. But the switch brings challenges as the two workforces learn to interact with one another.


The study revealed that workplace staff felt comfortable around some cleaning tasks – but not others. For example, nearly 89% of respondents said they were happy for toilet paper and soap to be replenished during the working day. But six out of ten objected to carpets being vacuumed around them while 57% felt uncomfortable when their desk area or cubicle was cleaned when they were working.


The study also revealed how office workers regarded cleaning teams. Just over 77% said they routinely greeted the cleaners at their workplace, but only half the respondents claimed to know any of the cleaners’ names.


“This seemed to be more due to a lack of communication than a lack of


interest,” added Charlotte. “A total of 49% of employees wanted cleaners to interact with them as co-workers, while only 14% said they preferred cleaners to remain in the background without interfering with their work.”


However, the survey showed that office staff clearly see the value of cleaners’ work. “A strong majority of 84% say workplace cleaning has a direct impact on the quality of their working life,” said Charlotte.


“And


71% feel that cleaning has a positive effect on their company’s profitability.”


A total of 3,056 office workers in the UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Russia and the Netherlands were questioned in the survey, which was commissioned by SCA and carried out by Questback.


www.tomorrowscleaning.com


become trusted, sustainable suppliers, using monitoring technologies and hybrid power systems to reduce energy consumption, using low- emission vehicles and introducing measures to reduce fuel consumption, and improving recycling of waste and equipment.


Michel Petitjean, Secretary General of ERA, said: “Equipment rental is inherently good for sustainability. Equipment rental companies now see an important role for their industry in helping to improve sustainability across industries.


“This is being encouraged by the requirements of their customers, and those of their customers' customers. Companies increasingly apply sustainability criteria to their supply chain.


“It’s vital that more industries and policy makers recognise this important role for our industry, and the valuable work it is doing.”


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