International Women's Day: Challenging What's Possible

March 8, 2021  |  By: WAXIE Editorial Staff

The Jan/San and cleaning industries have historically been considered male dominated, especially in certain career paths and leadership positions. Yet over the last several years there's been a lot more awareness and a paradigm shift as both companies and the industry professionals are making strides to provide tools, access to resources, and mentorship opportunities for women to build meaningful careers.

In 2015, the Hygieia Network (an ISSA charity) paved the way for women in the industry to connect with and support one another, as well as have access to the resources to advance professionally in their careers. WAXIE has been a huge supporter of the Hygieia Network and many of our staff are members. But there's still quite a way to go.

As we've done the last two years, we would like to acknowledge some of the hard working women across WAXIE who are challenging the status quo of what's possible—from operations to leadership roles. This year though, we're including a few words from their coworkers who nominated them for this recognition.

Topics: company news

Meet the Newest Member of Your Cleaning Team: The Nilfisk SC50 Autonomous Floor Scrubber

Guest Blog By: Nilfisk  |  February 18, 2021

In the wake of COVID-19, cleaning teams face more pressure than ever to clean quickly and effectively. Beyond the basics of ensuring facilities are cleaned to the desired standard, cleaners are quite literally tasked with ensuring the health and safety of everyone who enters a facility.

At the same time, workforce challenges continue. Cleaning teams often work at a staffing rate of only 70-75% and the employee turnover rate can be as high as 200%.

These factors combined have led more organizations to embrace autonomous cleaning solutions as a way to stretch their cleaning dollar further.

Topics: flooring, machines & equipment, facility maintenance

Improve ventilation? Improve the air instead.

Guest Blog By: AeraMax Professional from Fellowes Brands  |  February 4, 2021

Understanding Aerosolized Transmission

COVID-19 has changed the way managers think about office facilities; as workers shifted to working from home because of various state mandates, these managers have wrestled with ways of keeping staff safe once employees eventually return to the workplace. Some advocate unrealistic measures, like blocking off huge swaths of an office building, or attempting to create traffic flow patterns by taping off access to areas. Some look to eliminate conference rooms or common areas. But others look to significantly reduce risks by addressing the source of aerosol transmission of pathogens and viruses—indoor air.

Topics: Indoor Air Quality, workplace wellness, COVID-19

More Trends in the Cleaning Industry in 2021: Cleaning for Health

By: Briana Smith & Caitlin Dimalanta  |  January 22, 2021

Part two-of-two series examining what topics will drive the cleaning industry in 2021 and the impact of the pandemic.

• Part One: 5 Trends in the Cleaning Industry in 2021
• Part Two: More Trends in the Cleaning Industry in 2021: Cleaning for Health

The pandemic has left an indelible mark on the world and the cleaning industry. It has also brought about a renewed focus on the overall value of cleaning. 

In part one of our two part series we reviewed the continued strain on our supply chain and the challenges of reopening businesses while managing outbreak risks. 

The other trends on the horizon highlight an emphasis on getting back to the basics with cleaning best practices, up and coming technology and furthering the momentum towards developing and sustaining healthy buildings and indoor spaces to improve the health and wellness of people within them.

Topics: Hand Hygiene, workplace wellness, Sustainability, IoT, industry news, COVID-19, Supply Chain

5 Trends in the Cleaning Industry in 2021

By: Briana Smith & Caitlin Dimalanta  |   January 19, 2021

Part one-of-two series examining what topics will drive the cleaning industry in 2021 and the impact of the pandemic.

• Part One: 5 Trends in the Cleaning Industry in 2021
• Part Two: More Trends in the Cleaning Industry in 2021: Cleaning for Health

Who would’ve thought this time last year that 2020 was going to change the world the way it has?

Managing outbreaks was on the radar after the 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic and 2018 the Hepatitis A multi-state outbreak, but no one was quite prepared for the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic when it started spreading across the globe.

Supply chains were immediately strained, toilet paper became scarce, and stay-at-home orders were announced in various states causing businesses and consumers to scramble for essential supplies. The cleaning industry was thrown into the spotlight overnight as custodial and environmental services (EVS) teams were at the forefront in combatting the spread as essential workers.

Topics: Hand Hygiene, workplace wellness, Sustainability, IoT, industry news, COVID-19, Supply Chain

The Forgotten Cleaning Step: Interim Maintenance

By: Briana Smith  |  December 18, 2020

Winter break is typically the time of year that many custodial staffs have some time to do some extra cleaning with so many people out of the building or off campus for several weeks on holiday.

While it may be tempting to spend the time on restorative or deep cleaning procedures, you’re better off holding off until after all of the inclement winter and spring weather has passed. A combination of ice melt, excess water from snow and rain, and mud being dragged in really does a number on a facility’s flooring!

Instead, it’s better to focus on interim cleaning procedures, which allow you to clean more extensively than daily routine but is less intensive and time consuming than deep cleaning.

Topics: carpet, Hard Floor Care, flooring, cleaning tips

Zero Waste & Waste Diversion: A Guide to a Greener and Healthier Future

By: Caitlin Dimalanta  |  December 3, 2020

In 2018 the EPA reported a total of 292.4 million tons of trash collected, translating to roughly 4.9 pounds per person on a daily basis in the United States alone. Approximately 32 percent of this trash was either recycled or composted. This waste diversion statistic is an impressive feat. However, the trash being generated year by year is steadily increasing along with environmental and economical impacts.

These impacts can range anywhere from reduced oxygen levels of diverse habitats to toxicological threats to our wildlife through ingestion and entanglement. On top of the ecological effects, the cost of mismanaged waste can be substantial. In a 2012 an EPA study recorded that West Coast communities of the United States spend more than $520 million dollars annually to prevent trash from littering the ocean.

Topics: Zero Waste, facility maintenance, Waste Diversion

Staying Compliant with the California’s Healthy Schools Act During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By: Caitlin Dimalanta  |  November 19, 2020

As California schools begin to safely reopen in-person amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the process of cleaning and the ability to remain compliant with the Healthy Schools Act (HSA) are more important than ever. Enacted in 2000, the HSA put in place right-to-know requirements such as notification, posting, and recordkeeping for pesticides used at California public schools and public child day care facilities. Killing the virus on high touch surfaces while ensuring the protection of students from harmful chemicals is paramount.

Click here to read more on the requirements of the HSA.

Topics: disinfecting, Healthy Schools, COVID-19

NETWORK® Honors WAXIE Sanitary Supply with Member of the Year Award

WAXIE Wins Industry Recognition Award for the Fifth Time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS PROVIDED BY: WAXIE Sanitary Supply
October 29, 2020

SAN DIEGO, CA October 29, 2020 – NETWORK^® Services Company has honored WAXIE Sanitary Supply with the Member of the Year Award in recognition of WAXIE’s successful collaboration on policies, programs and vendor relationships within NETWORK.

Alan Tomblin, President of NETWORK, presented Charles Wax, WAXIE’s Chairman of the Board, and David Wax, immediate past Chairman of the Network Services Board of Directors, with this prestigious award during their annual trade show which took place virtually on October 26, 2020.

Topics: press release, industry news