The British Cleaning Council and members write monthly columns for both Cleaning and Maintenance and Tomorrow’s Cleaning. You can read recent columns below.
To read the columns as they originally appeared, please visit https://cleaningmag.com/columnists and https://www.tomorrowscleaning.com/back-issues
Join us in stamping out modern slavery
By David Garcia, Chair of the British Cleaning Council. (This column first appeared in Tomorrow’s Cleaning).
The Stamp Out Slavery campaign is a hugely important initiative and we are calling for cleaning sector businesses to join us in supporting it. 
Organisations across the industry need to make themselves aware of their obligations under modern slavery legislation and take steps to prevent it, both within their own organisations and in their supply chains.
In addition to the penalties imposed on service providers, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015) exposes clients to investigation and possible prosecution.
Uniquely, the MSA 2015 creates vicarious liability between a company and those companies and entities which it has engaged to carry out services.
So whether victims of modern slavery are found to be working directly in your company or in its supply chain, it doesn’t matter – you are still liable.
Under the MSA 2015, commercial organisations with a turnover of over £36 million are also liable for preparing an annual slavery and human trafficking statement.
However, this is not just about meeting your legal obligations, it is about showing that the industry as a whole and individual businesses are committed to human rights, sustainability, and operating responsibly.
Modern slavery occurs where someone is forced into working in conditions where they are exploited and their rights are breached, often involving trafficking, coercion or sexual exploitation.
Home Office data showed that, by the end of 2024 in the UK, there were 19,125 potential victims of modern slavery nationwide – the highest number since records began in 2009.
Almost a third of these were children – meaning there were 5,999 potential child victims. Almost a quarter of people affected were British nationals.
It’s easy to believe you can spot the signs of human trafficking and exploitation, when in fact it could be happening under your nose and you might not be aware.
It might be that a sub-contractor or a supplier is using staff who are victims of modern slavery, or someone in the company is exploiting workers without the knowledge of the managers or director. Not knowing about it isn’t good enough.
The risks of modern slavery are much higher in industries such as cleaning and facilities management.
Labour-intensive industries such as ours need more staff so there is more pressure to save costs on labour.
Sectors with complex supply chains, where there is outsourcing to numerous agencies and subcontractors, also make modern slavery harder to detect.
With many cleaning staff speaking English as a second language, that can also be a further barrier to speaking out.
Things you should watch out for include:
· Victims not receiving the minimum wage or paying for clothes or transport.
· They are more likely to suffer harassment and abuse.
· They may often owe money to recruiters and be dependent on them,
· Victims can be denied days off or access to their passports.
If you suspect someone might be a victim of modern slavery, you should contact www.modernslaveryhelpline.org or the www.gla.gov.uk.
The Stamp Out Slavery (SOS) initiative offers companies complementary guidance on self-reviewing their risks and can also conduct independent reviews at a modest cost, providing a quality mark and assurance to prospective clients that all reasonable measures have been implemented to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
In the unlikely event of an investigation by the police or UK Border Force, evidence of awareness and response to modern slavery threats, whether externally or internally created, would be a critical element in determining whether a company had taken all possible steps.
For more information about their services, please contact SOS via the contact form on its website www.stampoutslavery.org/contact
The rise of the bin cleaning industry in today’s UK Economy
By Daniel Coulon, the National Association of Wheeled Bin Washers (NAWBW). (This column first appeared in Cleaning and Maintenance)
In today’s challenging UK economic climate, many industries are facing rising costs, labour shortages, and changing customer expectations. However, one sector quietly 
experiencing strong and sustained growth is the bin cleaning industry. Once considered a luxury service, professional wheelie bin cleaning is now increasingly viewed as an essential part of modern hygiene and waste management.
One major driver behind this growth is heightened awareness around cleanliness and health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, households and businesses alike have become far more conscious of hygiene standards. Bins are a known breeding ground for bacteria, unpleasant odours, and pests, yet they are often overlooked when it comes to routine cleaning. This awareness has led to a surge in demand for regular bin cleaning services across the UK.
Environmental concerns have also played a significant role in the industry’s expansion. Modern bin cleaning companies use specialist equipment that recycles water and limits chemical usage, making services both effective and environmentally responsible. As councils tighten regulations and customers seek greener alternatives, professional bin cleaning offers a sustainable solution that aligns with wider environmental goals.
The bin cleaning industry has also benefited from shifting employment patterns. With redundancy rates fluctuating and traditional job security declining, more people are seeking opportunities to become self-employed. Mobile bin cleaning offers a relatively low-cost route into business ownership, with flexible working hours and scalable growth potential. Franchise models and equipment suppliers have made it easier than ever for new operators to enter the market with professional tools and support.
From a business perspective, commercial premises such as restaurants, care homes, schools, and hospitals now place greater emphasis on cleanliness as part of their duty of care. For many organisations, regular bin cleaning is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a contractual requirement. This has created a reliable and repeat customer base for providers offering high-quality, compliant services.
Despite wider economic pressures, the bin cleaning industry has proven to be resilient. In uncertain times, services that promote hygiene, safety, and environmental responsibility remain in demand. As public awareness continues to rise and regulations become more stringent, growth across the sector shows no signs of slowing.
In summary, the UK bin cleaning industry has evolved from a niche service into a recognised and essential sector. With strong consumer demand, environmental benefits, and business opportunities, it represents one of the few industries thriving in today’s challenging economy.