Political, geopolitical, security, social, and economic crises have shaped global reality in recent years. Yet above them all stands a crisis that transcends borders, continents, and oceans: the climate crisis, defined by countries around the world and their leaders as the most tangible modern threat to humanity as a whole. This crisis stems from the accelerated warming of the planet and the destructive excess of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere.

The COVID-19 crisis was not only a health event. It was a defining moment that disrupted routines, exposed systemic gaps, and tested the ability of countries, organizations, and businesses to cope with a reality that changes rapidly. Beyond the immediate response to illness, the crisis raised deeper questions about how we manage risk, maintain operational continuity, and treat the everyday infrastructures that enable normal life.

In recent years, it has become clear that cleaning is not a marginal or purely operational act. It is a foundational component of public health, personal safety, and the ability of the economy to keep functioning. Large-scale health crises, led by the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed a deep gap between public discourse about hygiene and the reality on the ground.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus placed cleaning at the center of public and professional attention. Beyond general guidelines such as social distancing and personal hygiene, it became clear that cleaning plays a critical role in preventing infection and protecting public health, especially in shared spaces and workplaces.

The cleaning industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation in the current decade. What was long perceived as a marginal, operational function has become an essential service that directly impacts public health, the operational continuity of organizations, and the resilience of the economy. The decade that began in 2020 presents cleaning companies with a new, complex reality that demands a different way of thinking.

In recent years, the concept of sustainability has become common in public and business discourse. For some organizations, it is seen as a trend. For others, it is a values-based statement. For Tavas, sustainability is a practical, managerial, and business necessity. It stems from the reality in which we operate and from our responsibility toward employees, clients, and the public environment.

Four months after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appeared that Israel had succeeded in containing the first wave. However, with the return to routine life, a significant deterioration in infection rates became evident, with daily case numbers reaching the thousands.

The three directives that became the slogan of the period, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and hygiene, have eroded over time and, according to professional assessments, do not provide a sufficient response to fully halt the spread of the pandemic. In this context, there is a need to refine one of the core directives: no longer general “hygiene,” but rather systematic and intensified cleaning and disinfection in workplaces and public spaces.

In recent years, awareness has grown that the climate crisis is not a theoretical discussion, but a reality that already affects our lives, public health, and social and economic stability. As a company leading cleaning services on a national scale, Tavas views sustainability as an inseparable part of its organizational responsibility and is committed to translating values into action on the ground.

Tavas continues to set a new standard in Israel’s cleaning industry and has won first place in the 2025 National Innovation Index.

The history of cleaning and hygiene has accompanied humanity since ancient times, from early water sources and biblical laws to battles against epidemics. Even today, modern hospital studies highlight the direct connection between cleanliness and public health.

A lack of legal framework and governmental synergy has resulted in a chaotic and harmful employment environment for asylum seekers, enabling political and social capital to be built at their expense.

Educational institutions and higher education facilities require consistent, professional and readily available cleaning routines to maintain a pleasant and safe learning environment. Cleaning companies provide comprehensive solutions, from replacement personnel to advanced equipment and cleaning materials.

Chain organizations — including retail stores, restaurants, offices and production facilities — require professional, reliable and continuous cleaning services throughout the year. A qualified provider must have advanced equipment, skilled personnel and strong operational management to ensure consistent cleanliness and uninterrupted performance, even under pressure.

Outsourcing cleaning services optimizes resource allocation, guarantees a high level of professional execution, and enables the organization to concentrate on its core business functions.

Adv. Ilan Shimoni explains how regulation and collective agreements fundamentally transformed Israel's cleaning industry — and why outsourcing can, in fact, be the path to protecting workers’ rights.