When Jangro recently announced that each of its 40 outlets had joined the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA), it was just one of many ways in which our Membership of independent janitorial suppliers could actively show its desire to put some professionalism into the washroom business and expose the paper product cheats.
Our profession has been riddled with confusing product explanations and untruthful claims on packaging, literature, websites and verbally in presentations. This applies to paper and washroom products such as chemicals. I am not knocking responsible organisations that clearly label everything, but in particular the paper towel and toilet tissue ‘trade suppliers’ that have for too long sold on vaguerisms and a lack of specific, very basic information.
I believe that some manufacturers are dishonest in what they say and what they don’t say. Many manufacturers state all the good features but have, in my view, been dishonest in not providing the full picture as to what a product does and not do plus its environmental downsides.
In the washroom we have cleaning agents, chemicals, descalers etc – customers must know if they are hazardous in use or when disposed of. We need to be aware as to whether paper products are made of recycled paper or virgin pulp.
The CHSA has for years joined with leading manufacturers of paper tissue, plastic refuse sacks and cotton mops to agree specific product standards in three accreditation schemes. These cover labelling, which in the case of soft tissue has to contain details of the roll length and width, number of sheets on a roll, or number of hand towels and other mandatory pieces of information. This allows reputable manufacturers to work on an even playing field and buyers get precisely what it says on the pack. There continue to be manufacturers and converters supplying ‘Jumbo’ toilet rolls often containing less sheets or smaller rolls – but how do you know if you are comparing apples with apples, if the pack simply describes it as Jumbo roll? Supermarkets state on their shelf strips, the number of sheets per roll, cost per sheet etc, so that consumers can compare brands.
When cost is king, we must look at ‘cost in use’ or cost per metre not cost per roll. Paper manufactures joining the CHSA’s Soft Tissue Accreditation Scheme regularly undergo audits by independent inspectors. Roll lengths, sheet count and number of towels per case are thoroughly checked. End users really need to be aware of which manufacturers subscribe to the accreditation if they are not to be ripped off.
Recently roll lengths on products like Jumbo’s, Mini Jumbo’s and Centrefeed rolls have decreased dramatically. Traditionally Centrefeed rolls, which are widely used in catering industry hand wash facilities, come in 150m lengths for 2ply rolls and 300m for 1ply. Jangro members have received many customer complaints claiming that Centrefeed rolls are much cheaper at the local Cash & Carry. Paying 20% less for a product that contains 25% less paper doesn’t save money, but how is the end user to know?
Some manufacturers deceive customers by not stating roll lengths on products because there is no legal requirement – but the CHSA has found manufacturers blatantly promoting false information. One supplier is now awaiting a Trading Standards prosecution because it claimed that its centrefeed roll contained 150m and was actually below 113.
Contract cleaners supplying products to their customers probably don’t worry much about roll sizes, as they are too busy handling the cleaning. If a supplier changes the roll size unannounced, a contractor could be charging clients for full size rolls when they may be supplying 25% less paper.
Smaller roll sizes are invariably pro-rata more expensive and create more packaging per square metre, which has an environmental effect. The only reliable way you can ensure that you are getting what you believe you are paying for is to make sure that you only buy paper products displaying the CHSA Soft Tissue Accreditation logo.
So, having had my rant, here is my proposal. All trade associations and manufacturer and user groups (contract cleaners, FM companies, chemical manufacturers etc.) insist that manufacturers publish specific information (positive and negative). They must illustrate all the real ‘costs in use’ and the ‘environmental costs’ against a measure from an independent body or trade Association. This data must be used on all packaging, literature, websites, advertising, sales presenters etc.
For more information on this subject or to submit your own views please visit my blog at www.garyfage.wordpress.com
Jangro is the largest network of independently owned janitorial supply companies with 40 branches across the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man. Jangro fully supports the CHSA Soft Tissue Accreditation Scheme.
For a copy of the 2011 Jangro product catalogue containing a wide range of environmentally aware products please contact Jangro on 0845 458 5223, email centraloffice@jangrohq.net or www.jangro.net
