The Role of Wiping and Cleaning Materials in Corporate Hygiene and Sustainability
August 06, 2024
Cleanliness and hygiene are essential to keeping our communities healthy, especially in public spaces and large corporate environments. One of the fundamental elements of infection control is hand hygiene, as many diseases are spread through hand contact. Experts stress the importance of adopting effective hand hygiene practices to reduce the transmission of bacteria and other harmful pathogens.
In corporate settings, the significance of hand hygiene is even more pronounced, particularly in restrooms. Research has shown that proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of infections, with numerous studies indicating that paper towels are more effective at drying hands thoroughly and reducing contamination compared to other methods. The routine use of tissue paper products, including toilet paper, tissues, kitchen towels, and hand towels – is instrumental in controlling infections and encouraging good hand hygiene practices among the general public.
Ensuring high hygiene standards helps maintain health and minimizes the spread of various bacteria and viruses, such as those causing gastrointestinal issues and respiratory infections like the flu. Tissue paper is therefore indispensable in maintaining hygiene within large corporations, offering advantages such as environmental sustainability and cost-efficiency.
Tissue Paper and Corporate Hygiene
A clean and well-maintained workplace environment is essential for both employee performance and customer perception. The study “Impact of Employees' Workplace Environment on Employees' Performance: A Multi-Mediation Model” highlights how the atmosphere within a company significantly affects employees. Negative perceptions of the workplace can lead to decreased productivity and hinder an institution's growth.
Moreover, in the workspaces, readily available disposable tissues are crucial for maintaining hygiene. These tissues are designed for single use and effective in removing dust, spills, and other unwanted materials. They help prevent the spread of germs by containing coughs and sneezes, as well as wiping down surfaces. Regularly providing disposable tissues throughout the workspace encourages employees to prioritize personal hygiene and keep their surroundings clean.
One critical aspect of maintaining a positive workplace environment is the state of the washrooms. Many people report that they would avoid a business if they encountered dirty or poorly maintained washrooms. Clean washrooms are more than just a matter of hygiene; they reflect a company's commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence. They show respect for everyone who enters the building. By ensuring a positive experience, companies can foster customer loyalty and enhance their reputation.
Tissue paper plays a pivotal role in this context. Research conducted by Ines Moura, PhD, Duncan Ewin, BSc, and Mark Wilcox, MD, published in “Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology”, indicates that jet air dryers significantly increase the risk of microbial spread in hospitals. This finding underscores the importance of using tissue paper as an effective barrier against germs. By providing tissue paper in washrooms, companies can minimize the risk of contamination and promote a healthier environment for both employees and customers. This small yet significant measure not only supports hygiene but also demonstrates a company’s dedication to maintaining a clean and welcoming workplace, ultimately benefiting employee performance and customer satisfaction.
In the catering sector in the Philippines, maintaining comprehensive hygiene is crucial not only for regulatory compliance but also for ensuring the safety and satisfaction of customers. Public health regulations mandate that businesses adhere to stringent cleanliness standards across their entire premises—from kitchens and food preparation areas to dining rooms and washrooms. This all-encompassing approach to hygiene is essential for preventing foodborne illnesses and safeguarding public health.
According to the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines, foodborne diseases remain a significant public health concern, causing a substantial number of illnesses each year. This underscores the critical need for rigorous hygiene practices in food handling and preparation. Tissue papers and wiping cleaning materials are vital tools in achieving these hygiene standards. In kitchens and food preparation areas, regular use of disinfectant wipes ensures that surfaces and equipment are free from contaminants. The Food and Drug Administration Philippines (FDA) advises that food contact surfaces should be sanitized after each use and at the end of each workday.
Benefits of Using Tissue Paper in Corporations
In today's corporate landscape, businesses are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and corporate responsibility in their daily operations. One often-overlooked yet crucial area where these principles can be applied is in the choice of tissue paper used within the workplace. Tissue paper, particularly when sourced responsibly, offers a practical way to support these goals. Corporations have several environmentally friendly choices, such as recycled paper, which helps reduce the strain on natural resources by repurposing post-consumer waste. Biodegradable options break down naturally, minimizing environmental impact and reducing landfill waste, while tissue paper sourced from responsibly managed forests ensures sustainable harvesting practices that preserve biodiversity and support local communities.
Beyond its environmental benefits, paper towels can also contribute to significant cost savings for corporations over time. Maintaining hygiene standards in the workplace is crucial not only for employee health but also for productivity. Tissue paper plays a pivotal role in this by reducing the spread of illnesses like colds and flu, thereby minimizing employee sick days and boosting overall productivity. Compared to other cleaning supplies, tissue paper often proves to be more cost-effective. Its widespread use can reduce the need for more expensive cleaning solutions, leading to lower operational costs and long-term savings for businesses.
Choosing the Right Wiping Materials for Your Corporation
In dynamic work environments, maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness is paramount, and it is equally essential to have reliable suppliers that deliver superior quality products and services.
Kimberly-Clark Professional™ offers a suite of solutions designed to safeguard your operations and personnel, ensuring a safer and more efficient workplace.
The Kimtech™ WetTask™ Meltblown Wipers with Bucket are formulated to be compatible with commonly used disinfectants, making them ideal for comprehensive cleaning and degreasing across various surfaces.
WypAll® L10 Roll Control Wipers are designed for managing spills, surface wiping, and maintaining a hygienic workspace. These versatile wipers are highly effective for cleaning up water, oil spills, and food debris, and for drying hands, offering a superior alternative to conventional paper towels and rags. Certified by HACCP International Food Zone Secondary (FZS), they meet rigorous standards for cleanliness and safety in food preparation areas.
Additionally, Kimberly-Clark aims to globally reduce the use of new fossil-fuel-based plastics by 50% by 2030. This includes improving material efficiency, using renewable or recycled substitutes, introducing reusable products, and recycling plastic waste.
Maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace environment is crucial not only for employee health and productivity. Wiping and cleaning materials like tissue paper play a vital role in achieving these goals, offering practical benefits that extend beyond basic cleanliness. From reducing the spread of infections to supporting sustainability initiatives, tissue paper provides a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution. By choosing tissue paper sourced responsibly or made from recycled materials, businesses can contribute to reducing their environmental footprint and supporting sustainable practices. Moreover, products like Kimberly-Clark Professional's Kimtech™ WetTask™ Meltblown Wipers and WypAll® L10 Roll Control Wipers offer effective solutions for maintaining hygiene standards in corporate settings, ensuring a safer and more efficient workplace. Embracing these practices not only demonstrates a commitment to cleanliness and sustainability but also enhances overall workplace satisfaction and operational efficiency.
References:
- European Tissue Symposium. (n.d.). University of Connecticut study on bacteria spores dispersion from hand dryers. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://europeantissue.com/hygiene/studies/university-connecticut-study-bacteria-spores-dispersion-hand-dryers/
- European Tissue Symposium. (2023, November). _A scientist's view: Hygiene, health and paper products https://europeantissue.com/hygiene/studies/university-connecticut-study-bacteria-spores-dispersion-hand-dryers/
- Kimberly-Clark Professional. (n.d.). Wiping and cleaning. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://www.kcprofessional.com/en-ph/products/wiping-and-cleaning
- Nogrady, T., & Weaver, J. M. (2022). Hand hygiene practices and the role of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in reducing infection transmission in the workplace. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9136218/
- Department of Health. (2014). Food safety. Center for Health Development. https://caro.doh.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/food-safety.pdf
- Food and Drug Administration. (2022). FDA Circular No. 2022-011. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FDA-Circular-No.-2022-011.pdf
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