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CHSA PUBLISHES FACT SHEET BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT


SUSTAINABILITY The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has published a fact sheet designed to help its members make informed, evidence-based decisions on sustainable products, packaging and operations.


The fact sheet forms part of the CHSA’s Roadmap to Sustainability. This is the Association’s long- term initiative designed to provide members and the wider industry with guidance on sustainability.


Environmental claims, used to differentiate one product or service from another, are common and often based on ill-informed assumptions or misconceptions. The Fact Sheet highlights key points when assessing such sustainability claims. They include the importance of evidence, that there are no universal ‘good’


PHS TEACRATE INVESTMENT REDEFINES THE CRATE


WASHING MARKET phs Teacrate, a specialist in crate hire and washing services, has invested in new technology that redefines hygiene and sustainability standards in the UK’s crate market.


The new, next-generation tray and pallet washers set a new benchmark in sustainability for the sector by more than halving water usage during crate washing.


The new bespoke machine only uses six litres of water per hour, compared to the standard 15 litres per hour for older machines, offering huge water savings, it has been designed to deliver the cleanest, and be one of the most sustainable wash and dry processes in the market.


Based at phs Teacrate’s Curdworth facility, the new technology also gives the company unmatched speed and capacity in the crate washing market.


or ‘bad’ materials, many green claims are legally or technically meaningless and considering the full life-cycle is essential.


Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA, explained: “People generally want to opt for the sustainable solution. The challenge is when decisions are based on assumptions. These include products made from recycled materials are always more sustainable than those made from virgin materials, that buying locally always has a lower carbon footprint. They may assume a product certified as ‘eco-friendly’ is sustainable in all aspects.


“The fact sheet encourages buyers and end-users to challenge their assumptions. By doing so they will be able to consider the full life-cycle impacts of products and services and consider multiple environmental indicators. Ultimately it means prioritising genuine environmentally


Made in the UK by experts Unitech, the new tray and pallet washing systems are manufactured from high grade stainless steel, using the latest hygiene technology to provide the highest quality clean, even on the heaviest soiled totes and pallets.


Its unique wash and dry cycle prevents contamination, improves the lifespan of the products and ensures that all products comply with strict hygiene standards.


Victoria Rhodes, Managing Director at phs Teacrate, said: “This is a bold investment in next-generation wash technology that is setting a new standard for hygiene, efficiency and sustainability. Our goal as a business is to always raise the bar and lead the way in sustainable, innovative practices.


“The machine features water recycling systems and the latest energy efficient technology to minimise water and energy consumption, creating the most sustainable wash process available.


“Businesses today demand compliance, speed, efficiency and eco- friendly solutions and our new crate & pallet washing machines are designed to deliver just that. It is taking phs Teacrate and our customers to the next level of best practice.”


www.teacrate.co.uk


maximum eco


CHSA Roadmap to Sustainability MythBusting Fact Sheet


A practical guide to help members make informed, evidence-based decisions on sustainable products, packaging, and operations.


MYTH - Products made from recycled materials are always more sustainable than those made from virgin materials


FACT - The sustainability of a product should always be backed up by data-based evidence. In some applications, the utilization of recycled raw materials may provide the best sustainability results, but it should not be taken for granted. It may be that because recycling requires, for example, a lot of extra chemicals and energy, the life cycle assessment results will be worse than corresponding products made from virgin raw materials. Virgin materials can be more safe, efficient or durable depending on the application. It is always essential to have real data to prove any assumption.


MYTH - Carbon offsetting is just as valuable as reducing emissions at source


FACT - Different types of climate actions are needed. However, the mitigation hierarchy framework is crucial: in simplified terms, companies should start by doing everything they can to reduce their emissions. In parallel, they need to collaborate to reduce emissions in the value chain. Carbon offsetting can be used to compensate for unavoidable emissions. A product cannot be claimed to be carbon neutral if offsetting has been utilized. It is important to note that an organization’s carbon reporting offsetting has to be reported transparently and separately from its emission reductions. Some third parties that report on carbon reduction will not permit carbon offsetting to be in a company’s carbon reduction strategy unless they are for residual emissions, i.e. the small portion of emissions that remain after feasible abatement measures.


MYTH - Biodegradable products automatically break down harmlessly in any environment


FACT - Claims of biodegradability must clearly indicate the product, product component or packaging to which it is applicable. Most materials require specific industrial composting conditions to biodegrade. In landfills or in the natural environment, the required conditions may not be present, and they may fail to break down as intended. It is important to specify the conditions and the test methods and certification schemes that support the biodegradable claim.


For cleaning chemicals, the term ‘biodegradable’ can only apply to the surfactant and not the product itself. In this context it is defined in current legislation (Detergent Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 and corresponding UK post Brexit legislation). It requires that surfactants used in cleaning products must ‘mineralise’ i.e. breakdown to water and carbon dioxide within a defined period after release to a foul sewer.


Given this is a legal requirement for all surfactants in the EU and UK, it is meaningless for any given supplier to declare their product is ‘biodegradable’; if it were not, it would be illegal.


Albany House, 14 Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1BJ T 0800 243919 W chsa.co.uk E secretary@chsa.co.uk


sustainable solutions over headline-driven marketing claims.”


All CHSA members have signed the Association’s Code of Practice, which includes the Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.


www.chsa.co.uk


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