The cleaning industry is evolving rapidly, with an increasing focus on sustainability, health, and efficiency. Industry professionals play a large role in protecting the built environment through the management of indoor air quality (IAQ) and surface cleaning, so making informed facility management decisions has never been more critical.
To address these challenges, ISSA has introduced a community of practice (CoP)—a collaborative platform designed to empower professionals across the cleaning industry. The Safer Choices Forum initiative provides essential resources, expert insights, and networking opportunities to drive safer, more sustainable cleaning solutions.
Defining a community of practice
A CoP is a group of people who share a common concern, problem, or an interest in a topic and collaborate to fulfill individual and group goals. CoPs focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance a domain of professional practice.
ISSA created the Safer Choices Forum CoP to make a connection between cleaning, health, safety, and sustainability. Education is a vital part of building that connection.
Bridging the knowledge gap
The shift toward sustainable and health-conscious facility management requires cleaning professionals to undergo training and continuous education. The Safer Choices Forum CoP will equip industry professionals with evidence-based strategies and collaborative solutions that promote health, efficiency, and sustainability.
The CoP aligns with the top five facility management trends of 2025 detailed in a blog by cleaning product distributor BradyPLUS:
- Sustainability as a business imperative: Organizations are prioritizing safer cleaning products to meet sustainability goals and foster positive customer experiences.
- Health and wellness at the forefront: Cleaning strategies now emphasize enhanced IAQ management, surface cleaning, and floorcare routines with cleaning products that reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, allergens, and pollutants.
- Technology-driven efficiency: Innovations like autonomous cleaning robots and data-driven cleaning schedules optimize resource use and enhance productivity.
- Cost-effective cleaning strategies: Smart solutions such as bulk purchasing, multifunctional equipment, and cleaning processes can maximize budget efficiency while maintaining high cleaning standards.
- Training and workforce development: Ongoing education and training programs ensure that skilled and knowledgeable professionals clean facilities.
Revealing key CoP benefits
The Safer Choices Forum will provide benefits through resources, expert insight, and networking. Its wealth of practical tools to support informed cleaning decisions will include:
- Case studies: Real-world success stories will showcase the impact of sustainable cleaning practices and enhanced IAQ.
- Educational and training content: The cleaning industry is rich in resources but poorly utilized. The CoP’s goal is to document the training of 1 million workers by using
and scaling existing workforce development programs. - Guidelines and standards: The CoP will distribute practical how-to-clean guides for compliance with evolving health and safety regulations, ensuring the support of safer chemical ingredients.
- Cleaning definitions: The forum will help the industry move to standard lexicons that explain cleaning terms, for example, the differences between routine cleaning, deep
cleaning, and terminal cleaning.
The Safer Choices Forum also will create a space for industry experts to discuss best practices and trends in sustainable facility management. As a CoP participant, you will be part of discussions
on the following topics:
- Cutting-edge cleaning technologies: Explore automation, internet of things (IoT)-driven cleaning systems, and artificial intelligence-driven cleaning solutions.
- Best practices for health and safety: Learn how to optimize IAQ, surface cleaning, and water consumption, and how to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
- Regulatory updates and compliance: Stay informed about evolving industry laws and guidelines defined by innovation and sustainability.
Through the power of collaboration, participants can engage with a growing community of cleaning professionals and benefit from peer networking, live events and forums, and knowledge sharing.
Creating a catalyst for change
The Safer Choices Forum is more than an informational hub; it catalyzes industry transformation. A key part of this transformation is the switch to sustainable products. Data from Smithers—a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services—projects that the total value for environmentally friendly cleaning products will reach US$109.7 billion by 2026, with a forecast compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. This contrasts with an overall market growth for all cleaning products of 4.1% to $207.3 billion by 2026.
The Safer Choices Forum CoP will help cleaning product purchasers:
- Identify safer cleaning products: Ecolabels are a tool to help purchasers quickly and easily identify safer products. However, consumers should be careful in interpreting vague claims on products such as “environmentally friendly” or “eco safe.”
- Leverage technology for efficiency: The CoP will create awareness of smart cleaning technologies, such as data-driven cleaning schedules and IoT-enabled cleaning, to optimize resource use and reduce environmental impact.
- Bridge the knowledge gap: One of the primary challenges cleaning professionals face is a lack of knowledge. Another challenge is misunderstanding efficacy. Workers may resist change, and switching to new processes and products involves a learning curve.
Joining the Safer Choices Forum
The future of cleaning is safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Join the movement that’s shaping a healthier world.
Join the Safer Choices Forum today by emailing [email protected] and help redefine cleaning practices for a sustainable future
