-Rebecca Reed

Clean Planet is a nationwide health and sustainability focused cleaning and life services franchisor, established in 2008 by a passionate bunch of New Zealanders who recognised the need for healthier, greener cleaning solutions.

It is also the first cleaning company to come up with their own locally formulated and manufactured range of sustainably sourced, health-focused products.

Chief Executive Tony Pattison says the founders decided they wanted to develop, formulate, and manufacture their own range of cleaning products from the beginning so they knew what works and what doesn’t.

“We wanted to establish an ethical cleaning company that is kinder to both people’s health and the health of the planet. Since then, we’ve been getting rid of toxic cleaning chemicals in Kiwi homes and workplaces by using our own brand of cleaning products we formulated to achieve this.

Our range of healthier, environmentally kinder cleaning products do not contain chemical culprits such as bleaches, EDTA and phosphates, yet work for domestic and commercial cleaners just as effectively as conventional cleaners.”

Clean Planet outsources the manufacturing to local business AWS Group who operate out of a factory in Penrose, Auckland, only a few minutes away from Clean Planet’s Head Office.

The company manufactures a core range of 10 cleaning and santising products for Clean Planet which they then supply to their 240 franchisees to use nationwide.

“We have a strong relationship with AWS Group, they have excellent facilities and are BioGro and Organic certified which aligns with our brand values and goals.”

Once manufactured their products are then packaged to Clean Planet’s warehouse nearby in Penrose where they package it up and ship it out to their franchisees.

“We are proud to have introduced recycled packaging for several of our products made out of recycled milk bottles. I believe our sustainability and wellbeing activities give us that point of difference in the marketplace. We are always looking at ways to refine our products to ensure sustainability is being met – whether its packaging, labelling or use of raw materials in our products.”

Pattison says the formula developed by the founders in 2008 remains largely unchanged although some of the formulations have developed overtime as some raw materials become unavailable or because of a better or more sustainable alternative.

Alongside manufacturing BioGro certified Organic products, Clean Planet is also the first and still the only cleaning company to be a Sensitive Choice approved partner, meaning their products and services can benefit asthma and allergy sufferers.

“Our products contain no toxic ingredients, and these ingredients are sustainably sourced. They will leave no harmful residues when used correctly, and our Sensitive Choice certification means they are judged by a panel of experts to assist consumers in managing asthma and allergies and empower them to identify asthma and allergy-aware and eco-friendly products and services.”

Tony is proud to be leading a business that promotes NZ Inc, manufacturing on home turf and supporting the local economy.

“There are several benefits of manufacturing locally – the supply chains are shortened for one and we have an excellent relationship with the AWS group who are located just 5 minutes away from us. Because of the close proximity we can catch up over coffee to forward plan or discuss any concerns.”

Pattison says their success is a result of the strength in their relationships and the control of their products.

“We control our own destiny by owning our formulations and manufacturing locally. I believe people want to support NZ made products and we feel we are doing good for the country by keeping profits onshore and creating local employment. At the same time, we work hard to deliver services that better our customers’ health and well-being. We do this through greener processes, safer methods, and a focus on giving back to our local communities.

The future’s looking bright for Clean Planet with plans underway to extend their range of products even further.

“There’s potential to look at retail and selling directly to the consumer. We think we have a really good product and the ability to extend it to a greater degree so watch this space!