Job shadowing to USA from 16 to 24 November 2024

In November 2024, as part of Puhastusekspert’s learning mobility project, we had the unique opportunity to job shadow Stephan Ashkin, the so-called Father of Green Cleaning, at the Interclean trade show in the USA. This experience allowed us to gain first-hand insight into the latest trends in professional cleaning, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, and sustainable cleaning solutions.

Who is Stephan Ashkin?

Stephan Ashkin is a globally recognized advocate of green cleaning, ESG strategies, and sustainability in the cleaning industry. He is a highly regarded speaker, author, and consultant, whose expertise has significantly shaped the future of professional cleaning. More about his work can be found here 👉 Ashkin Group.

What Did We Learn?

Our participation in the Interclean trade show and job shadowing Stephan Ashkin were supported by the Erasmus+ consortium learning mobility project (No. 2023-1-EE01-KA121-VET-000133792). We attended meetings, observed his work, and even took part in panel discussions ourselves. Here are some of our key takeaways:

🔹 Interclean Las Vegas – A Goldmine of Knowledge
While the exhibition itself lasted 2.5 days, the seminar program extended over 6 full days, running from early morning until late evening. This provided an exceptional learning opportunity, where participants could tailor their own schedules with high-quality seminars.

🔹 ESG is Good Business 
The cleaning industry is increasingly recognizing that sustainability is not just an ethical obligation but also a smart business strategy. Companies that genuinely care about their employees, clients, and the environment while ensuring long-term sustainability are the ones paving the way for the future.

🔹 Europe Leads the Way in ESG
One of the most interesting insights was that the U.S. looks to Europe for guidance on ESG principles and sustainable cleaning practices. European companies are seen as frontrunners in developing and implementing environmentally responsible cleaning solutions.

🔹 Our Expertise is Internationally Valued
While attending meetings and discussions, we realized that Puhastusekspert´ knowledge and experience in results-based and needs-based cleaning are highly valued in the international market. It reinforced our confidence that the principles we promote at Puhastusekspert are aligned with global industry trends.

🔹 Sustainability is the Future of the Cleaning Industry
The cleaning sector is shifting towards more sustainable solutions, driven by research and evidence-based practices. Scientific studies and trials play a crucial role in implementing knowledge-based cleaning, ensuring better results with environmentally friendly and efficient methods.

Attending Interclean and shadowing Stephan Ashkin reaffirmed that we are on the right track by advancing awareness of green cleaning, ESG strategies, and knowledge-based cleaning methods. The experience also highlighted how essential international cooperation and continuous learning are for the future of professional cleaning. 🌍✨

We are truly grateful to Erasmus+ for supporting this learning mobility project and helping us bring back valuable insights that will benefit the cleaning industry in Estonia and beyond.