Can biotech support the healthcare sector with deeper cleaning and reduced emissions?

The COVID-19 pandemic has once again shown healthcare to be arguably the most important sector. And cleaning and sanitisation within healthcare are absolutely essential. Healthcare therefore uses an exceptionally high volume of cleaning and sanitisation products.

The products used need to be highly effective but what if the range of products used were not only efficient in keeping surfaces clean but also helped the healthcare sector reduce its Co2 emissions at the same time?

How cleaning biotechnology works

Biotech-based cleaning products work by attacking dirt on surfaces. They do this by emulsifying, lifting, dispersing, sequestering, suspending, and decomposing soils. Active agents - known as surfactants - stir up surface activity to help trap and remove dirt. Surfactants can act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, or dispersants.

At BioHygiene, its cleaning products harness the power of microbes, enzymes and natural plant extracts that work deep into surfaces to break down and remove dirt, grime and grease quickly.

The microbes used within the products, specifically bacteria, are present in the spore form. When the bacteria are introduced to suitable conditions, the spores germinate, and the bacteria begin to grow, colonising the application area.

Enzymes are added directly to its formulations where they are referred to as ‘free enzymes’. They work the same way as bacterial enzymes, providing immediate action by breaking down organic matter and eliminating odours. Free enzymes are used in conjunction with bacteria to provide an initial kick-start of activity until the microbial population is established and the bacteria start to do their work.

Residual cleaning

Residual cleaning is an advantage of biotech cleaning that can particularly benefit hospitals and the healthcare sector. Whereas many traditional and non-biotech products simply clean when applied, biotech formulas continue to clean long after the standard cleaning process has finished.

Microbes break down organic matter and continue to ‘feed’ so long as there is a food source. They colonise an area, creating what’s known as a biofilm, and continue to work long after application, keeping odours at bay for longer. This means that the product doesn’t need to be applied as often, resulting in much-needed cost savings for the healthcare sector, as well as leading to a cut in CO2e.

CO2e reductions

There are many ways using certain products can help contribute to a reduction in CO2e. Where and how raw materials are sourced, the need to use less product and the type of packaging used can all have a substantial impact.

BioHygiene uses a combination of ecotec and biotech ingredients including plant extracts, microbes, enzymes, and fermentation extracts, all with favourable ecotoxicity profiles and low health hazards. Extraction of raw materials is carried out in Europe, reducing transport-related CO2e from sourcing ingredients. The eco-solvents used are made entirely from renewable, biobased resources that replace and reduce conventional solvents and hazardous chemicals and achieve a neutral or positive CO2e impact. Additionally, a long-lasting cleaning action enables customers to use less product. Fewer bottles are used, reducing overall plastic waste. For instance, the plastic bottles used to package its range use 100% post-consumer resin (PCR), saving a further 85% CO2e.

Clearly, if the products are sourced from the right place, with the right ethics, it is plausible that switching to something biotech-based can help keep surfaces cleaner for longer whilst keeping CO2e lower.

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