Want a greener career? The cleaning and hygiene industry could be the place to make a difference
If you care about the environment and want your career to contribute to a more sustainable future, the cleaning and hygiene industry may offer more opportunities than you realise.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important across the sector. Cleaning businesses, manufacturers, suppliers and facilities teams are looking at how they can reduce waste, use resources more efficiently, choose more sustainable products and equipment, and help customers achieve their own environmental goals.
That is creating exciting opportunities for people who want to combine a rewarding career with an interest in sustainability.
What does a green career in cleaning look like?
Some roles have sustainability at the heart of the job.
Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) roles can involve developing environmental strategies, measuring progress, reducing carbon emissions and helping organisations meet their sustainability commitments.
Sustainable procurement specialists can help businesses choose cleaning products, machinery, packaging and services with environmental performance in mind. That might mean considering product concentration, reusable packaging, responsible sourcing, energy efficiency or environmental impact across a product’s lifecycle.
Product development and formulation roles offer opportunities for people interested in science and innovation. Manufacturers are continually developing cleaning solutions that balance excellent hygiene performance with goals such as reducing unnecessary chemicals, packaging and waste.
There are already strong examples in the industry. Delphis Eco, for instance, became the first UK cleaning manufacturer to achieve B Corp status and has developed professional cleaning products using plant-derived ingredients alongside bottles made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
For someone interested in chemistry, product development or sustainable manufacturing, that is a great example of how environmental thinking can become part of a cleaning-sector career.
Engineering and technology have a role too
There are also opportunities in equipment, technology and engineering.
Cleaning machinery can be designed to use less energy, water and other resources, while data and smart technology can help teams understand when, where and how cleaning is needed.
Numatic International, the Somerset-based cleaning equipment manufacturer, is one example. The company has introduced recycled plastics into parts of its professional equipment range and continues to develop products with resource efficiency in mind.
That means sustainability careers in cleaning are not limited to environmental management. They can also involve engineering, product design, manufacturing, research and technical innovation.
Sustainability is part of everyday cleaning
You do not need the word 'sustainability' in your job title to make a difference.
Frontline cleaning operatives can help reduce product and water waste by using the correct methods and dosing systems. Supervisors can train teams in more sustainable working practices. Managers can choose equipment, products and processes with environmental performance in mind.
Cleaning businesses themselves are also changing how they operate. Cleanology, for example, has introduced a fully electric vehicle fleet at its London headquarters and has set environmental targets as part of its wider sustainability strategy.
Examples like this show how sustainability can involve people working in operations, procurement, fleet management, contract management and frontline service delivery.
A huge industry with room to grow
The UK cleaning, hygiene and waste industry employs around 1.5 million people, and sustainability is one of the major factors shaping its future.
Careers can be found in cleaning companies themselves and across sectors including healthcare, hospitality, education, manufacturing, engineering and local government.
There are opportunities to start in a frontline position and progress into supervision or management, specialise in a technical area, move into a support function or even start your own business.
For environmentally minded people, that breadth matters. You can build a career specifically around sustainability, or bring sustainable thinking into almost any role you choose.
Build the skills to make a difference
As organisations place greater emphasis on sustainability, people who understand both cleaning and environmental performance can become increasingly valuable.
Training and professional development can help you build the technical knowledge, management skills and industry credentials needed to progress.
The UK Cleaning Career Development Zone brings together information on training and development opportunities from across the cleaning and hygiene industry, helping you explore career paths and identify ways to develop your skills.
If you want a career where everyday decisions can contribute to cleaner, healthier and more sustainable places to live and work, take another look at the cleaning and hygiene industry.
Explore the opportunities and start planning your next step at https://ukcleaning.org.uk/