With 18 thousand certified products, Italy is the first in Europe ahead of Spain and France. Italy is the European country with the most EU Ecolabel certified products: 18,725 compared to 16,280 in Spain and 13,417 in France. Also in terms of licenses, our country is on the podium, in second place, with 564 ahead of France (528) and behind Germany (628). The European Environmental Commission compiles a ranking of the most virtuous countries, which are committed, in the process of global ecological transition, to promote the design, production, marketing and use of products with a lower environmental impact throughout the life cycle.
Vivenda Spa, which specializes in the global service and catering sector, moves and operates in this scenario: by using the EU Ecolabel brand since its inception for cleaning work in hospitals, schools, companies and large buildings, the La Cascina Consortium companies want to contribute to the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050, supporting a more circular economy for an environment free of toxic substances.
Vivenda Spa, a member of the La Cascina Consortium, uses detergents and disinfectants with low environmental impact for its large-scale cleaning services, thereby contributing to maintaining the health of the planet and people.
«The Ecolabel brand – explains Gabriele Scotti, vice president of Vivenda Spa – is a voluntary system created in 1992 to differentiate goods and services that meet high environmental standards throughout their life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to disposal. This promotes a circular economy and reduced environmental impact, taking into account climate change, energy consumption, resource use and waste production.”
In the hygiene sector, the first important step to be taken is the use of detergents and disinfectants with low environmental impact as in the case of biodegradable products, substances that quickly decompose in the environment, thereby reducing water and soil pollution.
«Vivenda Spa – continues Scotti – always chooses products with a recognized EU Ecolabel label or other brands that meet the UNI EN ISO 14024 standard. This certification guarantees that the products comply with strict sustainability standards throughout the life cycle». Special attention was then paid by staff to the use of super concentrated detergents to be diluted on site: the amount of packaging, especially made of plastic, to be produced and disposed of was significantly reduced, while optimizing transport costs. And therefore a reduction in CO2 emissions into the air.
But these measures alone will not be enough to record a significant reduction in environmental impact during working hours, especially considering the large number of surfaces that must be cleaned, polished and sanitized. Vivenda Spa itself sanitizes more than 5 million square meters in Italy. Therefore, in addition to selecting the products to be used, the companies that are members of the La Cascina Consortium have allocated significant investment for the purchase of the latest generation equipment. «Technology plays an important role in making cleaning more efficient and sustainable», emphasizes Gabriele Scotti. «We purchase energy-efficient machines such as washer-dryers and vacuum cleaners that are designed to reduce water and energy consumption». However, for vacuum cleaners, the choice falls on vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters which improve indoor air quality by capturing dust particles and allergens, thereby reducing the need for additional chemical disinfectants. Another trick is the use of microfiber cloths and mops that allow you to clean surfaces effectively with less water and, in many cases, without using chemical detergents. Additionally, because they are reusable, they reduce the production of single-use waste.
However, the contribution of products and machines may increase up to a certain point. «Service management, staff training and careful attention to one’s work are the real keys», says Gabriele Scotti.
This is why it is important, for example, to dose products correctly, thus avoiding waste and the release of excessive amounts of chemicals into the environment. Training operators on best environmental practices, correct product use and waste management is essential to make the entire process more sustainable as well as implementing efficient separate collection and efficient waste disposal systems, especially special or hazardous waste.
«Adopting an “eco-friendly” approach – concludes the vice president of Vivenda Spa – is not just an option
ethical, but also generate significant economic benefits such as reduced purchasing costs for detergents, lower energy and water consumption, and the creation of a more responsible and competitive corporate image.”
