ISSA launches initiative to lead the future of safe and sustainable cleaning.

Articles > ISSA launches initiative to lead the future of safe and sustainable cleaning.

ISSA launches initiative to lead the future of safe and sustainable cleaning.

March 27, 2025 |By Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner

ISSA is the largest trade association in the world for the cleaning industry.

The cleaning industry is essential and is evolving rapidly, with an increasing focus on sustainability, health, and efficiency.

The industry is responsible for protecting the built environment through managing indoor air quality, surface cleaning, and water safety.

Therefore, making informed facility management decisions has never been more critical.

To address these challenges, ISSA has introduced a "Community of Practice"-a collaborative platform designed to empower professionals across the cleaning industry. This initiative provides essential resources, expert insights, and networking opportunities to drive safer, more sustainable cleaning solutions.

Whether you're a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, purchaser, or person who cleans, the Safer Choices Forum helps you stay ahead of industry trends, optimize cleaning practices, and contribute to a healthier built environment.

What is a Community of Practice?

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern, a set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals. Communities of practice focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance a domain of professional practice. Interaction on an ongoing basis is an integral part of this.

Why is ISSA doing this?

• To facilitate ongoing networking, communications, and commercial opportunities for our members.
• To recognize and certify the many current training courses based on knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and "provide a patch to wear on your sleeve" for those who have been trained.
• To provide everyone with the highest quality, industry-specific, relevant information.
• To ensure our members are the accepted resource for knowledge and standards regarding professional business practices.
• To make the scientific connection between cleaning, health, safety, and sustainability.
• To establish a global cleaning community across the entire value chain.

Bridging the knowledge gap matters

The shift toward sustainable and health-conscious facility management is transforming the cleaning industry. Training and continuous education are required to strengthen knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs).

The Community of Practice for Safer Choices will equip industry professionals with evidence-based strategies and collaborative solutions that promote health, efficiency, and sustainability.

The Community of Practice aligns with the latest facility management trends shaping the future of cleaning as outlined in an article by Michelle Press, corporate communications director at BradyPLUS:

• Sustainability as a business imperative: Organizations are prioritizing safer cleaning products and processes to meet sustainability goals.
• Health and wellness at the forefront: Cleaning strategies now emphasize enhanced indoor air quality management, surface cleaning, and floorcare routines with cleaning products that reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, allergens, and pollutants.
• Technology-driven efficiency: Innovations like autonomous cleaning robots, IoT monitoring systems, and data-driven cleaning schedules optimize resource use and enhance productivity.
• Cost-effective cleaning strategies: Implementing smart solutions, such as bulk purchasing, multi-functional equipment, and cleaning processes that maximize budget efficiency while maintaining high cleaning standards.
• The human element of training and workforce development: Ongoing education and training programs ensure facilities are cleaned by skilled and knowledgeable professional workers, as a clean and well-maintained environment fosters positive customer experiences.

Key features of the Community of Practice

1. Comprehensive resources: tools, case studies, and educational content

The forum will offer a wealth of practical tools to support informed cleaning decisions, including:

• Case studies: Real-world success stories showcasing the before-and-after impact of sustainable and safe cleaning practices and enhanced indoor air quality.
• Educational and training content: The cleaning industry is rich in resources but poor in utilization. Our goal is to document the training of one million workers by utilizing and scaling existing workforce development programs.
• Guidelines and standards: Distribute practical how-to-clean guides for compliance with evolving health and safety regulations, ensuring the support of safer chemical ingredients and responsible formulation.
• Defining how we clean: Helping the industry move to standard lexicons on what is, for example, "routine cleaning," "deep cleaning," or "terminal cleaning."

1. Expert insights: Learn from industry leaders

We need a forum for industry experts to discuss best practices and trends in sustainable facility management. This would help us gain access to actionable insights from top industry professionals, covering topics such as:

• Cutting-edge cleaning technologies: Explore automation, IoT-driven cleaning systems, and AI-driven cleaning solutions that enhance efficiency.
• Best practices for health and safety: Learn from experts about optimizing air quality, surface cleaning, water consumption, and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.
• Regulatory updates and compliance: Stay informed about evolving industry laws and guidelines defined by innovation, sustainability, and our unwavering commitment to health.

1. Networking and community collaboration

Engage with a growing community of cleaning professionals and benefit from:

• Peer networking: Connect with industry leaders, share insights, and learn from real-world experiences.
• Live events and forums: Participate in Q&A sessions, expert panels, and interactive discussions and receive updates from ISSA members on innovations shaping the cleaning industry.
• Knowledge sharing: Contribute expertise and success stories to help shape the future of the industry and ensure ISSA members receive due credit and recognition for the work they do.

What is the purpose of a Community of Practice?

The Community of Practice forum is more than an informational hub; it's a catalyst for industry transformation. By bringing together key stakeholders, this initiative fosters an environment where innovation, shared knowledge, and best practices drive meaningful change.

Here's why safer, informed decisions for cleaning solutions are crucial:

• Prioritizing sustainability: Data published in the Smithers study The Future of Sustainable Cleaning Products to 2026 projects that the total value for environmentally friendly cleaning products will reach $109.7 billion by 2026, with a forecast compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. This contrasts with an overall market growth for all cleaning products of 4.1% to $207.3 billion by 2026.
• Identifying safer cleaning products: Ecolabels are a tool to help purchasers quickly and easily identify safer products. However, it is vital for consumers to be careful in interpreting vague or generic claims on products such as "environmentally friendly," "eco-safe," or "green."
• Leveraging technology for efficiency: Create awareness of smart cleaning technologies, such as data-driven cleaning schedules and IoT-enabled cleaning, in order to optimize resource use and reduce environmental impact.
• Bridging the knowledge gap: One of the primary challenges we face is a lack of knowledge. Misunderstanding efficacy is another challenge. Workers may resist change. Switching to new processes and products involves a learning curve.
• Apprenticeship programs: Sharing training outlines as a minimum standard for work processes and related instruction from, for example, the U.K. government's Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship and the U.S. New York State Housekeeping (Commercial, Residential, Industrial) apprenticeship.

Join the Community of Practice Safer Choices forum today!

The future of cleaning is safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Be part of the movement that's shaping a healthier world. Get involved today-by emailing [email protected] and ask to join and help redefine cleaning practices.

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner is a senior director at ISSA and manages the Making Safer Choices program, developing collaborative partnerships with members, universities, and ISSA. As an infection prevention expert and university professor, he works to develop protocols and education for the global cleaning industry to empower facilities, businesses, and cleaning professionals to create safe and healthy environments.

References

Smithers, Sustainable cleaning products market to surge to $110 billion in 2025, https://www.smithers.com/resources/
2021/feb/sustainable-cleaning-market-surge-110-billion

EPA Sustainable Marketplace. Identifying greener cleaning products, https://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts/
identifying-greener-cleaning-products

Press, M., corporate communications director at BradyPLUS. Top 5 facility management trends for 2025,

https://blog.bradyplus.com/top-5-facility-management-trends-for-2025

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). Cleaning hygiene operative apprenticeship, U.K. government, https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/st0843-v1-1

New York State Department of Labor. (2022). Housekeeper (commercial, residential, industrial) apprenticeship,

https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/06/housekeeper-commercial-residential-industrial-time.pdf

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