Reconditioning Cleaning Machines: Our Strategy for Sustainable Development

In a world where protecting natural resources is increasingly important, everyone has a role to play. From recycling waste and choosing lower-emission transport options to supporting local businesses, individual actions can make a meaningful difference. At the same time, organisations are expected to contribute to a more sustainable future by reducing their environmental impact and embracing responsible business practices.

The Benefits of Corporate Sustainability

Corporate sustainability builds on the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), encompassing not only ethical business conduct but also the social, environmental, cultural and economic impacts of a company’s activities. Today, consumers are paying closer attention to businesses that integrate sustainability into their long-term strategy.

According to an IFOP survey conducted in 2020, 82% of French people stated that they support sustainable development that protects the environment, even if it comes at the expense of economic growth. This is significantly higher than the European average of 74%.

In addition, a 2020 Harris Interactive survey found that 89% of French people believe businesses should play a major role in advancing sustainable development.

The Circular Economy and European Policy

The circular economy is a model of production and consumption designed to maximise the value of resources and minimise waste. Unlike the traditional linear model of “produce, consume, dispose”, a circular approach keeps materials and products in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair and refurbishment.

The European Union has placed significant emphasis on the transition to a circular economy. This commitment was formalised through legislation introduced in 2018 and implemented in France in January 2020. Central to this approach is the waste hierarchy, which ranks waste management methods according to their environmental impact.

At the top of the hierarchy is waste prevention, followed closely by reuse, which seeks to extend the life of products before they become waste. Further down are recycling and energy recovery, while disposal remains the least favourable option and should only be considered as a last resort.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Safetykleen, we have always been committed to reducing the environmental impact of parts cleaning. Historically, the industry has relied on traditional solvent cleaning systems, which can be highly polluting and present health and safety risks.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of aqueous cleaning solutions designed to reduce dependence on solvents and deliver a more environmentally responsible alternative. However, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond the products we provide.

During scheduled service visits, our operators carry out complete fluid replacement, preventative maintenance and product replenishment to ensure optimum machine performance. This proactive approach helps customers minimise maintenance-related downtime, improve productivity and extend the operational lifespan of their equipment.

Should a technical issue arise, we provide a replacement machine to ensure uninterrupted service and minimise disruption to our customers’ operations.

To further reduce environmental impact, our technical warehouse teams receive specialist training that enables them to perform repairs locally, avoiding the need to transport machines to our UK refurbishment centre wherever possible.

In addition, all cleaning and ultrasonic machines reaching the end of their service life are refurbished and returned to use wherever feasible, in line with the principles of the waste hierarchy and circular economy.

How Does Machine Refurbishment Work?

Refurbishment is a key part of maintaining both the performance and longevity of our equipment fleet.

At our refurbishment centre, specialist technicians manage the entire process. Each machine is fully dismantled and thoroughly cleaned. Internal components are inspected, repaired or replaced as required before the machine is reassembled and subjected to rigorous testing.

In approximately two days, a machine can be transformed from end-of-life equipment into a fully operational unit. Mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems are restored to excellent working condition. In most cases, any visible signs of previous use are limited to minor cosmetic marks on the exterior casing.

Optimising Resources Through Refurbishment

Machine refurbishment is an integral part of the way we operate. Each year, we refurbish almost 5,000 cleaning machines. On average, this prevents around 70kg of waste per machine from entering the waste stream, depending on the model.

By extending the life of our equipment, we reduce the demand for raw materials required to manufacture new machines and help lower the associated carbon emissions. This approach delivers significant environmental benefits while also enabling Safetykleen to maximise the value of existing assets and reduce disposal requirements.

The result is a practical, sustainable solution that benefits both the environment and our business: a true win-win.