Evidence shows that environmentally friendly cleaning procedures and products provide multiple benefits to buildings and their occupants. No wonder a growing number of facilities in the United States expect their janitorial companies to use "green" cleaning processes and environmentally friendly cleaning products. In order to meet this demand, astute commercial cleaning providers continually educate their janitorial staff on the most effective ways to perform their jobs while protecting the environment. You can use their expertise to implement your own program, making your building or facility a healthier place.
Before delving into the benefits of environmentally friendly cleaning, let's discuss what green cleaning entails. The federal government's Executive Order 13101 ("Greening the Government…"), executed in 1998, defined "environmentally preferable" products and services as those that "have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose." Today, green cleaning programs employ practices that promote health, safety and social consciousness, and include the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products certified by organizations such as Green Seal.
Why the Demand for Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products and Services?
1. Becoming LEED certified is good business.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a program that has recently gained momentum in building practices throughout the United States. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, it establishes standards for sustainable buildings. It also strives to promote integrated, whole-building design practices and recognizes environmental leadership in the building industry.
LEED certified buildings enjoy government incentives, marketing benefits and increased property value. Buildings that apply for certification earn LEED points for using environmentally friendly cleaning products and practices.
If you don't become LEED certified, you could soon face tough competition. The number of buildings constructed to LEED standards, as well as those gaining LEED-EBOM (Existing Building: Operations & Maintenance) certification, continues to grow. As of February 2009, more than 2000 projects have received LEED certification, with nearly 18,000 more registered to become certified.
2. Environmentally friendly cleaning creates healthier surroundings.
Environmentally friendly cleaning products help improve indoor air quality and reduce the health problems that traditional products cause. Building occupants, visitors and janitorial staff experience fewer incidents of skin, eye and respiratory irritations or burns; allergies; multiple-chemical sensitivities; headaches; nausea or other gastrointestinal ailments; poisoning; cancer; reproductive hazards and/or damage to internal organs.
3. Healthier environments increase productivity and marketability.
Healthier employees mean happier employees. Statistics show increased worker satisfaction, improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity and efficiency.
Employees and customers appreciate knowing that green practices and environmentally friendly cleaning products are used in the building. Going green helps you market your business as a socially conscious one.
4. Green cleaning helps the earth.
Implementing a green program can reduce the negative effect your cleaning and sanitary operations have on the environment. Using environmentally friendly cleaning products in the right manner helps decrease air pollution, water pollution, ozone depletion and global climate change. Green practices also promote recycling, reduce the use of raw materials and minimize toxic products requiring disposal.
5. Environmentally friendly cleaning reduces costs.
Janitorial companies who are well-trained on environmentally friendly cleaning practices and products can positively impact the facility's budget. An effective program can reduce costs to building management, tenants, and/or the janitorial company, including costs associated with sick leave, health care, productivity loss and litigation. In addition, environmentally friendly cleaning practitioners use energy-efficient equipment (e.g., vacuum cleaners) and perform preventative maintenance to reduce future expenses.
The actual cost of environmentally friendly cleaning products has become more competitive with the price of conventional counterparts, especially when other factors are considered in determining the true cost. For example, a conventional product that is extremely high in alkaline could burn a janitor, which would result in additional medical and sick leave costs, and these increased operating costs may be passed on to the facility.
6. Going green increases the safety of the building and protects property values.
While the crux of using environmentally friendly cleaning products is about reducing health risks -- for humans and other living things -- the process provides other benefits to the facility. Green procedures, including proper use, storage and disposal of materials, actually reduce the likelihood and frequency of fires, explosions, spills and splashes. Environmentally friendly cleaning products are less hazardous and reduce the risk that janitors, the facility or an occupant will be harmed by the product.
An expert green cleaning company also trains their staff to use correctly diluted products and the right product for each job. This means, for example, that stains on carpets or upholstery are treated with the mildest, effective cleaner, thereby prolonging the life of expensive furnishings and reducing exposure to harsher chemicals.
In addition, green programs focus on preventative practices that are environmentally friendly. Cleaning products can be used less frequently if the building stays cleaner to begin with, and well-maintained equipment is safer and works more efficiently.
If you desire to make your building more green, finding the right janitorial company will prove vital. Make sure that they don't just boast of using environmentally friendly cleaning products; their entire approach to your facility should be considered. The field of green cleaning continues to expand, and with the right partner, you can expect greater financial rewards and a happier, healthier environment for all.
No comments:
Post a Comment