Blurring the boundaries brings mutual benefits

Pooling resources, making mergers, exchanging experiences – sometimes it pays to ‘double up’ when it comes to business, because of the undisputed benefits it can bring. As individual industry sectors evolve, similarities and synergies emerge, establishing common needs and ambitions, and encouraging joint working.

We are currently seeing a trend for convergence between the cleaning and recycling and waste management sectors. Until relatively recently, they’ve both been pretty much separate entities, but they are now starting to move closer together in terms of clientele, services and direction.

Both share a common theme in that they deal with the less salubrious side of life – i.e. sorting out other people’s mess and waste! Because their stock in trade is not the most glamorous, public perception has tended to label them as less progressive, dynamic or technologically advanced than other industries. But nothing could be further from the truth!

The recycling and waste management industry has made significant progress as it brings in newer and better technologies to enable even more materials to be sorted and recycled – from confidential document shredding to hazardous waste, textiles, shoes, and electronic/electrical items. Its pioneering ways are helping companies to minimise the impact their actions have on the environment, something that all businesses are keen to do in our ‘greener’ 21^st century. In parallel, the cleaning industry is also seeking more environmentally friendly ways of keeping premises hygienically clean, with research and development time being given to creating new ways of cleaning using less chemicals, water or energy.

The similarities don’t end there, and it will be interesting to watch the partnership between the cleaning and waste and recycling sectors progress. As the cross overs become more apparent – in terms of clients and industry needs – more joint working and sharing of best practice will undoubtedly follow. Both sectors can help the other in areas such as training and specialist knowledge – which could bring benefits in terms of better profits for them, and even better services for customers.