Eco-responsible cleaning

The HUG introduces chemical-free, eco-responsible floor cleaning.

Hygiene and cleanliness are a major issue for patients and visitors. Conventional cleaning products contain substances that may compromise air quality, contribute to the resistance of micro-organisms in the hospital environment and cause environmental damage when discharged into wastewater.

Thanks to the efforts of the HUG's Cleaning and Hygiene Service, a new sustainable cleaning technique was developed for the hospital sites in 2021. Trials were conducted by the HUG teams under the supervision of the Infection Prevention and Control Service (SPCI). By using an innovative microfiber mop and an adapted cleaning technique, it has been possible to completely dispense with chemical-based products. Moreover, the HUG carefully selected their new microfiber mops. They are made of 100% recycled material and last at least for 80 washing cycles:

This eco-responsible technique has been deployed in the so-called low and moderate risk areas of the HUG. This saved more than 5,300 liters of detergent in 2021.

This new method preserves natural resources and contributes to the health and well-being of all, without compromising the quality and safety of cleaning. This is a first for a Swiss hospital.

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30% of the areas to be cleaned are entrusted to carefully selected external companies. They are responsible for maintaining areas that are not dedicated to care, such as administrative areas, corridors and halls.

At the end of 2020, the HUG completely rethought their evaluation criteria in calls for tenders for cleaning services in order to focus on human resources, sustainability and the company's ability to carry out the contract in a sustainable manner.

The selected service providers have therefore also adopted this innovative and more sustainable cleaning technique for the maintenance of the areas entrusted to them within the hospital.