Industry Brief: 2023 Trends Report on the Cleaning Industry

Industry Brief | 2023 Cleaning Industry Development Trends Report

This report was released in March of this year to coincide with the UK Cleaning Show. Its main content introduces the development trends and key challenges facing the cleaning and waste management industries in the UK, as well as proposed solutions. Some of the insights and data presented in the report offer valuable inspiration for China’s cleaning product suppliers and manufacturers as well.

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The shortage of workers in the cleaning industry has been a long-standing issue, and there are many reasons for it. Although each year many newcomers enter the cleaning industry, at the same time, a large number of experienced, seasoned employees are leaving the sector. Jim Melvin, Chairman of the British Cleaning Contractors Association (BCC), said: (The UK’s) employment figures are now the best they’ve been since 1974, yet many business owners are facing the challenge that the number of job vacancies far exceeds the number of people applying for those positions. Lorcan Mekitarian, Chairman of the British Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), pointed out: Due to the impact of Brexit and COVID-19, the shortage of cleaning and sanitation workers has become the biggest challenge since 2022, leading to a significant push for automated cleaning systems and robots.
The Five Key Measures to Attract Newcomers to the Cleaning Industry:
1. Offer better employment conditions—not just wages, but also benefits and social security, among other things.

2. Invest more resources in ongoing employee training and career development.

3. Introduce a more flexible working mechanism and, whenever conditions permit, carry out cleaning during daylight hours as much as possible.

4. Enhance the use of technology, such as machines.

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5. We should focus on changing society’s perception of the cleaning industry, and the entire industry must work together to enhance its image and status.

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In response to the challenges mentioned above, new skills training and retraining in the cleaning industry are crucial.

The four-point recommendations from the cross-party parliamentary group on cleaning and hygiene in the UK Parliament:

1. Consider as soon as possible including cleaners in the Skilled Work Visa program.

2. Develop standardized qualifications for the cleaning (profession) to enhance the number, quality, and career prospects of individuals entering the cleaning industry.

3. Increase the training budget for cleaning staff at listed companies and private enterprises.

4. The government should strongly support the cleaning and sanitation industry’s efforts to improve its image and status.

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Over the past decade, the digital transformation of the cleaning industry has witnessed the adoption of groundbreaking and revolutionary technologies. Automation has become mainstream, enabling cleaning contractors to boost operational efficiency and allocate personnel more effectively. Moreover, the growing use of collaborative robots—coupled with sensors, the Internet of Things, and new battery technologies—marks a significant step forward for the cleaning industry in leveraging technology. Data-driven dynamic cleaning, the evolving advancements in robotic and automated cleaning, geofencing and sensor technologies, as well as smart building technologies and related concepts, are increasingly attracting attention and recognition from cleaning professionals. The deep integration of these new technologies is transforming cleaning companies into entities that increasingly resemble tech firms—a development that undoubtedly paves the way for the cleaning industry’s future. Over the next five years (through 2027), collaborative or service robots are expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 24.6%. It is important to note that service robots facilitate human-robot interaction and collaboration, rather than completely replacing human labor.

There are also differing views on just how significant the actual impact of technological advancements has been on the cleaning industry. Some argue that, at present, cleaning robots have only enhanced the image of a few large cleaning companies; their trial usage is far from sufficient, and they haven't yet been able to identify potential hidden risks.

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How can we understand the concept of a sustainable ecological environment and explore new paths for development? In 2022, CHSA introduced a “Roadmap for Sustainable Development,” which is underpinned by five key pillars: products, packaging, transportation, social values, and the environmental impact of enterprises. Low-carbon or even zero-carbon emissions are among the factors that European clean product suppliers consider when sourcing cleaning supplies.

The six elements that influence sustainable development:

Unfortunately, we can cite numerous examples of cleaning and sanitation workers being overlooked. Many people view the cleaning industry as one that requires low skills, low educational attainment, and even low intellectual capacity. Due to the nature of cleaning work, jobs in this industry are often regarded as “dirty work” that is considered undignified. Although the entire industry is working hard to change society’s mistaken perceptions about cleanliness, it must be acknowledged that shifting public opinion can sometimes be exceedingly difficult.

There are many ways to challenge the existing biases people hold about cleaning work. First, we must firmly emphasize that cleaners are frontline workers. Second, we should change the way we refer to them—cleaning professionals are not merely “housekeepers”; they are sanitation technicians. Third, the entire cleaning industry should unite and start with ourselves, working together to dismantle society’s biases against cleaning professionals. After all, this industry encompasses a wide range of roles: whether you’re in a cleaning company, manufacturing equipment or cleaning products, maintaining restrooms, or emptying trash bins—everyone involved in this field is part of the sanitation industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the sanitation industry. 15 Cleaners gained brief public recognition during the height of the pandemic, as all sectors of society urgently needed their services to clean, disinfect, and maintain healthy living environments. However, as the pandemic began to subside and fade, cleaning once again fell into obscurity, and cleaners again became invisible in society—largely overlooked by the general public. Outsiders tend to view cleaning as a non-essential sector and cleaners as merely support staff rather than frontline workers. There’s no doubt that the efforts of cleaners and their invaluable contributions to society are absolutely essential! Society must recognize this fact, and the government should actively promote, commend, and honor their work.

Despite the significant challenges posed by economic pressures, the outlook for the cleaning industry remains positive and optimistic. The cleaning industry has fully demonstrated its resilience and adaptability. Looking ahead, cleaning professionals are full of confidence and hope.