EU Ecolabel awarded to Austrian cleaning company for the first time
The Linz-based cleaning service provider "Die Reinigungsfront GmbH" has undergone an extensive certification process by TÜV Nord Austria GmbH and the VKI (Association for Consumer Information) and was the first Austrian cleaning company to be awarded the EU Ecolabel for its "The Green Front" department.
The two managing directors Michael Pellosch and Robert Auberger have been running a traditional commercial cleaning company, "Reinigungsfront GmbH", since 2012. The topic of sustainability increasingly came into focus. In order to tackle sustainability and environmental protection seriously and systematically, a separate department was founded in the company, "The Green Front". The Green Front is a holistic concept and strives for sustainable building cleaning at all levels. The focus is on certified organic cleaning agents. These are highly concentrated enzyme cleaners that deprive bacteria of their food source.
Extensive requirements
An extensive list of criteria had to be met on the way to certification. The "Green Front" has been working on this since the middle of last year. In addition to the core element, namely cleaning with biotechnological cleaning agents, concepts for waste separation, plastic avoidance and energy saving had to be created and implemented.
Biotech cleaning agents as the basis for success
The biotechnologically produced cleaning agents, licensed by a Canadian company and manufactured in Europe, are highly concentrated and deprive bacteria of their food sources. If these microorganisms, which are produced in highly specialized laboratories, remain on the surface, they combat any soiling that occurs later. This effect lasts for several days and ensures a fresh appearance in the long term. The biotechnological cleaners dissolve residue-free and odorless.
"A major advantage of these enzyme cleaners is that they are gentler on the skin and respiratory tract than conventional products," says Michael Pellosch, Managing Director of Reinigungsfront. This is good for the team, but also good for the customers, who get their premises cleaned in a way that is gentle on their health.
Mix of measures
However, the EU Ecolabel not only requires the use of ecological cleaning agents, but also a serious mix of measures. The auditor Renate Schmid from TÜV Nord Austria also audited the dosing equipment, the use of microfiber products, regular staff training, waste management and the basic principles of environmental management.
All products are delivered in highly compressed form and the cleaning bottles are refilled. In addition, microfiber is used on suitable surfaces and the waste bags are made from biodegradable corn starch. "We regularly train our teams to make the most of every opportunity for environmentally friendly use," explains Managing Director Robert Auberger, who is also pleased with the reduced sickness rate among his employees. He sees the switch to biological cleaning agents as an important factor in this.
But energy-efficient vacuum cleaners and washing machines are also standard. The company also underlines the seriousness of its efforts by purchasing 100% green electricity and aiming to switch to e-mobility in the long term.
Sustainability is the order of the day
"In times of climate change, environmentally friendly cleaning is not a luxury, but the order of the day," say Michael Pellosch and Robert Auberger, the two managing directors of "der Reinigungsfront". Sustainability has been on their minds for a long time and they hope to convince many existing and potential customers of their environmentally certified cleaning service. Satisfied customers include the Mrs. Sporty Clubs Urfahr and Leonding.