By Armando Lezama
From the June number 2018
There's no time to start a "green cleaning initiative", just use more environmentally friendly cleaners. Today, it has become a way of life for many organizations to become more environmentally friendly, and the urge to reduce the environmental footprint and its impact on the world is a continuous process.
For principals, supporting an environmental cleanup initiative requires a better understanding of what green cleaning means and how to achieve it. Although there are many facets of ecological cleanliness, the term in its broadest sense refers to an organized effort that protects human health and the environment by reducing toxicity, wastage and exposure to harmful substances. ,
The era of green cleaning is here
According to an article in The Guardian , Stephen Ashkin, managing director of Green Cleaning Network, a nonprofit organization that works with companies to make the cleaning industry more environmentally friendly, estimates that between 30% and 50% of businesses and institutions in the United States are cleaning
The reasons and the benefits are numerous. On the one hand, green cleaning products are less toxic and irritating to building users and cleaners. But it's not just about comfort. It's about productivity.
A 2016 Harvard University study exposed office workers to three different air quality levels within two weeks: a typical building, an ecological building, and an improved green building. At the end of the study, the participants in the ecological building environment reported 61% more cognitive function than the typical construction environment. For the participants in the improved environment of ecological construction (with VOC concentrations of about 50 μg / m3 and 40 cfm outside air per person), the cognitive function score was even higher: 101%.
Green cleaning initiative: 6 tips
Tip # 1: Apply best practices and certified products. When designing a green cleaning program, the wheel does not have to be reinvented. There are many resources available, including:
- US Green Building Council resources include the LEED v4 Building and Maintenance Certification Program and the LEED Reference Manual for Green Building and Maintenance.
- The Green Seal Environmental Certification Program has researched and published a complete set of standards for cleaning products and services.
- The International Well Construction Institute is also an instrument for promoting global health and well-being in buildings.
- There are products certified by EPA's Safe Choice Program, UL's ULOLOGOLOGY, ENVIRODESIC and Green Seal.
- The clean-up guidelines of the International Organization for Standardization are another resource.
Tip # 2: Think about it all Environmental clean-up includes more than the products, consumables and equipment used. It also means taking precautionary measures to reduce the cleaning effort and keep the building environment clean. It is therefore important, for example, to choose entrance mats that prevent particles from ever entering the building.
Tip # 3: Involve and educate the residents and the construction staff. To be successful, a green cleaning program must have the support of the cleaning staff and the building users. Make joint efforts, including communication and written presentations, to explain what the program is, why it matters, and what everyone should do to ensure, for example, compliance with a recycling program. Or if the inmates understand how particles in the air can affect their health and how the program reduces particulate matter, they are more willing to support those efforts.
Tip # 4: Write everything in writing. "Green cleaning" could mean as little as the use of a non-toxic floor cleaner. Specify and document exactly what the term covers and how the program is delivered. Create a green cleaning program guide that includes details: standard operating procedures, training records, maintenance records, recycling trail tracking, tons of total waste, and safety data sheets. For the cleaning staff, create an eco-cleaning process that explains the procedures and explains how to use the device for optimal results.
Tip # 5: Do not forget the training. The use of green products may differ from traditional products. Make sure that the staff has been trained for proper use. Many product providers offer training programs and software to train the staff and ensure the right procedures are followed.
Tip # 6: Always stay innovative. New products and techniques are regularly launched. It is important to find out about and integrate the latest offers, if they meet the criteria of sustainability, efficiency and value of the company. Facility managers may also consider working with equipment suppliers to test new prototypes and products as they evolve to ensure that the institution's syllabus remains relevant and appropriate. Day for best cleaning results.
Green Cleaning in action: Stanford University
Potential customers are increasingly turning to service providers who have a clear idea of what they expect from a green cleaning program. This was the case when my infrastructure service company UG2 was invited to apply for a contract with Stanford University, the private research university of California, recognized for its scientific excellence. Please request information from Stanford when we offer:
- A written green cleaning program and policy based on APPA Cleaning Standards and the USGBC LEED Construction and Maintenance Manual
- A complete description of the green methods to use
- A description of the process for maintaining and updating the program
We were able to gain the company with added value that included:
- Quality control through a cloud system that adapts to Stanford requirements to verify service excellence and proactively manage potential issues
- Weekly and monthly reports, including inspection reports, alerts, quality assurance summaries and proof of compliance
- Dependence on suppliers to provide the Stanford team with state-of-the-art equipment to improve the efficiency and quality of their work
It is no longer troublesome to carry out an ecological cleaning, and the management of the facilities should not be satisfied with worse results. Supporting green cleaning is a great way to make a difference, to ensure a cleaner installation, to protect staff and building users, and reduce waste.
Lezama is Senior Director of Operations for UG2 , an installation company based in Boston, Massachusetts. In this role, he manages the businesses for UG2's businesses and businesses, providing solutions and services to the education, retail, retail, public and healthcare sectors. and life sciences. Lezama began his career with the UNICCO Services Company and was a key member of the surgical team, building an award-winning green cleaning program that enabled LEED-EB Silver certification for multiple sites.
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