One 113–year-old German-based high-end cleaning systems manufacturer which has made a commitment to sustainability is an example of what constitutes across-the-board sustainability where all the pieces are intended to work together. With a declared goal to develop efficient and durable products whose production, consumption and disposal have as little impact as possible on the environment, the company employs leading efficient manufacturing techniques and uses recyclable materials. It invests two to four years in product development and over five percent of total turnover in R&D (the U.S. spends 2.7 percent of its GDP on R&D).

The company uses Computer Aided Virtual Environment (CAVE) for product development and has developed new processes—one of which ensures fingers leave no prints behind. Finished products are each subjected to long-term tests (10,000 hours for all machines). Sustainability begins by the company certifying its own and suppliers’ management systems according to international sustainability and social standards. Every two years it publishes a sustainability report that includes facts and figures on production facilities and the life cycle elements of each type of cleaning system—from power, water and chemical consumption to recyclability of product materials, CO₂ emissions and waste.

Among the premium products recently introduced are the world’s first dishwasher whose water consumption is just 0.28 cu ft of water per cycle, a laundry washer that reduced water consumption by 20 percent, a wet (as opposed to “dry”) cleaning system that uses no toxic chemicals and a heat pump tumble dryer that consumes half the power of conventional dryers. Paying attention to smaller energy savings, stand-by power consumption is reduced to less than one watt on the entire product line, with many products consuming 0.02 watts when the main power switch is turned off.

Design professionals could be assured that products delivered by the manufacturer in this example reduce environmental footprint and are rugged and reliable. But how do such products meet client requirements and what are the specifics of long term cost savings? An examination of sustainability features of premium cleaning systems followed by specific needs of different markets helps answer those questions.

Commercial Cleaning Systems
While virtually every project has need of cleaning equipment products, many commercial building types have special performance needs that can include sanitization and disinfecting as well as superior cleaning. Laboratory, medical, dental and veterinary facilities, restaurants, recreational centers, day-spas and beauty salons, hospitality and assisted living facilities all have special performance requirements that go far beyond those of the familiar domestic appliance.

Sustainability factors

High-end sustainable products are engineered for energy efficiency and having the smallest possible environmental impact. Factors that contribute to sustainability include:

Factory rated machine life. Cleaning systems manufacturers typically provide information on the factory rated machine life of products in terms of operating hours, which vary according to their application. A machine life of 15,000 operating hours, for example, would translate into a long life of at least 10 years if the washer had heavy usage of six hours on each of the 260 working days a year. If the machine were a commercial dishwasher used six times a day for six days a week, its life would be far longer.

Machine construction. A critical factor in evaluating product life is the materials used for different washer components. The washer chamber of a high quality machine is typically constructed from either Type 304 or Type 316L stainless steel (Type 316L has greater resistance to corrosion); sidewalls and ceiling are made from Type 304; while the floor and door are constructed from Type 316. Laser welded seams outside the washer chamber are preferred over spot-welding where corrosion could occur.

Pump life. Machine pump life is extended if cleaning systems are fitted with multiple sump filters that prevent debris from recirculating. Filters upstream of the circulation pumps protect and extend pump life. For some applications pumps are fitted with a gentle start mechanism, which will also contribute to maximum pump longevity.

Recyclability. Recyclability of materials is one of the most significant features of a green product. Since stainless steel is North America’s number one recycled material and is 100% recyclable, cleaning systems equipment fabricated from stainless steel have a high recyclable rate. One manufacturer with a 90-plus percent recyclable rate on every product clearly marks all plastic components to facilitate recycling.

Minimizing water and chemical cleaning agent usage. Cleaning systems designed for sustainability are engineered to use less chemicals and less water, which means less chemical effluent entering the groundwater. Using less cleaning agents to get items clean can be accomplished by using powerful circulation pumps, high water temperature and low water levels. A typical high-end manufacturer will use flow meters and pressure switches—rather than timing circuits—on all incoming washer lines in order to save water by allowing precise filling.

A built-in water softener too, will enable detergents to work more efficiently and provide better cleaning if the water is hard. It is gentler on the washer and eliminates scaling. Manufacturers can adjust the performance of water softeners according to the hardness of the water, and can deactivate them if the incoming water is already soft.

Energy efficiency and operating cost savings. A direct result of using less water and consequently less heating time to heat that water, is a lower consumption of electricity. Insulation of units further reduces the amount of electricity used. This lowers costs and puts less load on building HVAC systems. Depending on the application, water savings for premium machines can amount to over 30 percent when compared with other products using the same wash program. Lower usage of chemicals and detergents also lowers operating costs.

Sanitization. With increasing incidence of flu epidemics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, plus an expanding regulatory climate, cleaning systems that address sanitization are increasingly valued. One solution is having separate pumps for circulation and drainage, which reduces cross-contamination. Other solutions, depending on the application, include extremely high water temperature rinse cycles.

A premium undercounter laboratory glassware washer features a test port for facilities requiring machine validation. Image courtesy of Miele Professional