Why No Green Cleaning Program?

While it has been discussed for years in the professional cleaning industry, it is surprising how many facilities have still not adopted a green cleaning program. For many, especially smaller businesses and facilities, it very simply may not be an issue. There focus is day-to-day operations, putting green and sustainable issues on the back burner if it is 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 in a 35-story building in Chicago, IL (US). Several what could be considered sustainable steps have been incorporated here such as turning heating and air-conditioning on exactly at 6 a.m. and off exactly at 6 p.m., but most likely that is being done to cut costs, not necessarily to reduce the use of natural resources.

Similarly, at one time, the custodial crew started their work here at 5 p.m. However, now they start an hour earlier. The goal is to shut down the entire building an hour earlier, to once again cut costs most likely but not necessarily meet green or sustainable objectives. But the time is coming when a green and sustainable strategy will be implemented here, most likely as a result of tenant demand and to attract more tenants and better tenants.

So how will this building, and others just 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 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 departs 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 of cleaning supplies, that could end the program as well.

However, if top management is behind program, it stays no matter who is with the company or who departs. And should costs go up a bit, with a top-down decision, the company will accept it along with any other challenge that might arise. With the 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. 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 is often subjective but cleaning is subjective. Someone might find a facility looks great and another person finds several issues. 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 process is so slow that people do not notice it. And evaluation with fresh eyes from a consultant can prove very worthwhile.

Development. With our analysis out of the way, establish a “green-team” to move the program forward. One of their first jobs is to explain to custodial workers as well as building users what a green cleaning strategy is being implemented. Always try and bring building users into the process. After all, they are using the building eight to ten hours a day, they have a right to know what is happening especially if the goal is to protect their health.

Additionally and based on our analysis, it may be determined that custodial training may be called for.   Its 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. An astute distributor or a cleaning consultant can prove invaluable when making this transition. However, here are two tips on implementing it. In most cases, it is best to either use or try to exchange any remaining traditional cleaning solutions or products. Simply discarding them is costly and wasteful. Also, try and make product selections as part of system. For instance, on a purchase requisition, do not simply request microfiber cleaning cloths and a green all-purpose cleaning.
Instead, request a specific microfiber product to be used with a specific green cleaner, indicating 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 costs and not quality. We want to try and avoid this situation by indicating in our purchase request that certain items are designed to work together as a system to ensure quality chemicals and tools are selected.

Implementation. This 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 it to operate the facility in a greener and more sustainable manner. This 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 the custodial workers are adhering to the best practices training they have received and are using the new environmentally preferable cleaning products properly. It also involves feedback from all workers, administrators, and building users and also an opportunity to address challenges that have materialized.

However, it does something else. The follow-up is a time for the cleaning workers and administrators to take a fresh look at their facility. Remember how we mentioned earlier that cleaning has a tendency to decline gradually, almost without notice. The follow-up is an opportunity to help prevent this from occurring and, if it should, addressing it before it becomes the facility norm.

Ron Segura is president of Segura Associates. His company works with large organizations to streamline their cleaning and building operations as well as promote sustainability and healthier cleaning strategies so that facilities function more effectively and efficiently and realize a cost savings. He can be reached through his company website at https://www.seguraassociates.com.