While green cleaning has been discussed for years in the professional cleaning industry, it is surprising how many facilities still have not adopted a green cleaning program. For many, especially smaller businesses and facilities, it very simply may not be an issue that has been raised. Their focus is on day-to-day operations, which puts green and sustainable issues on the back burner if considered at all.
However, even larger facilities, including very large multi-tenant locations, may not have begun a green cleaning program. For instance, I am writing this article from a 35-story building in Chicago, Illinois (US). Several what could be considered sustainable steps have been incorporated here, such as turning heating and air-conditioning on at exactly 6 a.m. and off at exactly 6 p.m. Also, having the cleaning crew come in one hour earlier so that the building can essentially shut down an hour earlier each day, etc. But most likely that is being done to cut costs, not necessarily with sustainability in mind.
But the time is coming when a green cleaning and sustainability strategy will be implemented here. And as has happened before, most likely this will be as a result of tenant demand and the management’s desire to attract more and better tenants.
So how will this building, and others like it here and in Europe, make this transition? While there are several steps in the process, invariably it all comes down to the following:
Top-down decision. Instituting a green and sustainable program in an office building or any other type of facility must be a top-down decision. This means that the top executives in the company must be behind the program. Let’s use a smaller business located in its own facility as an example. While the office manager may want to begin a green cleaning program, for instance, without support from upper management, it very likely will fail. What if this office manager takes another job? In many cases, the green cleaning program will depart with her. What if she runs into issues such as costs? While cost competitive, many environmentally preferable cleaning solutions do have a slightly higher price tag. If “the boss” is not interested in paying more for cleaning supplies, that could end the program as well.
However, if top management is behind the program, it stays no matter who is with the company or who departs. And should costs go up a bit with a green cleaning program, with a top-down decision, the company will work through this along with any other challenges that might arise. With a green and sustainable direction supported by top management, the program will likely survive and be implemented.
Analysis. Let’s assume we have a top-down decision to go green. The next step, at least as far as green cleaning is involved, is to analyze where things stand right now in the current cleaning program. What products are being used to clean the facility? If an in-house crew, when was the last time they attended a custodial training program? How effective is the cleaning being performed now? This last question invariably elicits a subjective response from the people involved in the cleaning operation. One person might find that a facility is being cleaned very effectively, while another person finds several issues. To get a more objective answer, take APT* readings of restrooms and commonly touched surfaces: ask building users or a cleaning consultant to evaluate how effectively the facility is being cleaned. Very often when cleaning and maintenance start to go downhill, the decline is so slow that the people involved do not even notice. An evaluation from a consultant with fresh eyes can prove very worthwhile.
Development. Once the analysis is completed, the next step is to establish a “green team” to move the program forward. One of the team’s first jobs is to explain to custodial workers as well as building users why a green cleaning strategy is being implemented. Always try to bring building users into the process. After all, they are using the building eight to ten hours a day, and they have a right to know what is happening, especially if one of the goals of the program is to protect their health.
Additionally, based on the analysis, it may be determined that custodial training is necessary. It’s often a good idea to begin this “best practices” training before the actual implementation of the program.
Product purchasing. Of course, environmentally preferable cleaning chemicals and equipment will be necessary. A cleaning consultant can prove invaluable when making this transition. However, here are two tips on switching to green cleaning products. First, in most cases, it is best to either use up or try to exchange any remaining traditional cleaning solutions or products. Simply discarding them is costly and wasteful. Second, when selecting green cleaning products, consider how they work together as part of a green cleaning system.
For instance, on a purchase requisition, do not simply request 1) microfiber cleaning cloths and 2) a green all-purpose cleaning solution. Instead, request a specific microfiber product to be used with a specific green cleaner, indicating that the two products are designed to work together. What often happens when requisitions are made on an item-by-item basis, purchasing will source the pricing and select a product based on cost alone, not necessarily considering quality. You want to try to avoid this situation by indicating on your purchase request that certain items are designed to work together as a system in order to ensure that quality chemicals and tools are selected.
Implementation. Implementing the green cleaning program is often a very big step, and so I recommend that custodial workers, building users, and administrators all have a “kick-off” party. Explain to all attending that the goal from this day forward is to operate the facility in a greener and more sustainable manner and that doing so will help protect the health of the cleaning workers as well as all users of the facility.
Follow-up. Having a green and sustainable strategy in place is an ongoing process. It does not just start and that’s the end of it. One of the best parts of a green cleaning program is that it often entails ongoing education and training. This helps ensure that custodial workers are adhering to best practices and are using the new environmentally preferable cleaning products properly. The follow-up also involves obtaining feedback from all workers, administrators, and building users, presenting an opportunity to address challenges that have materialized.
However, the follow-up does something else. It gives the cleaning workers and administrators a chance to take a fresh look at their facility. Remember how we mentioned earlier that cleaning has a tendency to decline gradually, almost without notice? Continued follow-up allows the opportunity to help prevent this from occurring and, if it should, addressing it before it becomes the facility’s norm.
Segura & Associates cleaning consulting company founded by Ron Segura. Ron has over 45 years of experience in all segments of the professional cleaning and building operation with ten of those years spent as Manager of Janitorial /Document Services for Walt Disney Pictures and Television. Segura & Associates consults with clients, helping them operate their facilities in a healthier, more sustainable, and efficient manner. He can be reached via his website at https://www.seguraassociates.com.
Adenosine Triphosphate Bioluminescence; a high ATP reading of surfaces is a red flag that there may be harmful germs and bacteria on a surface
