You may have noticed that the health and environmental effects of global warming are all over the news. As a result, more people are finally embracing the Go Green movement. Many green warriors start the initiative at home. Simply switching to a reusable tumbler and reducing waste is a great start. But becoming more environmentally conscious is just the starting line.
Most people spend the majority of their week in the office. And one of the most underrated green practices is office cleaning. Using toxic cleaning products in most commercial spaces introduces a lot of dangerous chemicals into the environment. That is why eco-friendly cleaning methods and products are the secret weapon to fighting climate change. This article will give you the 411 on how to start sustainable cleaning in your place of work.
What are Eco-Friendly Office Cleaning Services with the Green Seal?
With green/ eco-friendly cleaning, using green products is the standard. Toxic commercial cleaning products are a big no-no. Natural cleaning products like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon extract are the three musketeers of green home cleaning. But, in a commercial setting, you must work with green cleaning services. Eco-friendly cleaning products with a Green Seal certification are the only choice for these professional cleaners. And don’t worry, these cleaning products have the same cleaning power needed to disinfect offices and public buildings. The only difference is that they contain non-toxic ingredients that don’t harm the environment.
Why You Should Consider Green Cleaning Services
The main goal of going green is to help take care of the planet. Committing to going green should not be done to follow a trend but should be seen as an important step toward sustainability and corporate responsibility. Beyond that, there are also business benefits from taking an eco-friendly stand in an office environment.
Set A Green Standard For Other Offices To Follow
Your company’s commitment to sustainable practices will have a ripple effect in the industry you’re in. When done successfully, your green cleaning practices can be adapted by others who otherwise may have thought it was impossible. A franchise business can easily mandate the franchises to comply with green cleaning protocols.
Long-Term Benefits of Eco-Friendly Cleaning Services
Green cleaning is a big change. It involves reviewing every aspect of your usual office cleaning plan and changing the majority of the protocols. But think of the bigger picture. Here are the upsides to choosing green cleaning services:
- Environmental. You end up saving resources like water, paper, and energy. Eco-friendly cleaning products need less water to rinse off. With a generally cleaner and toxic-free work environment, air purifiers last longer with less power.
- Health. Green cleaning methods use non-toxic surface cleaners and require an efficient ventilation system. These essentially purify the air preventing respiratory issues like allergies.
- Economic. Optimizing energy use and reducing waste are green practices that can lead to more efficient operations. The more efficient operations are, the more cost-saving your business becomes.
Go Green: Starting A Green Office Cleaning Plan
Setting up a commercial green cleaning plan can be tough if you don’t know where to start. Here are 3 basic steps to help you develop eco-friendly cleaning practices.
Familiarize Yourself With Green Cleaning Products
Green office cleaning is only possible by using eco-friendly products. These are non-toxic products that cause no harm to human health. It’s important to look for the Green Seal check mark or the (Environment Protection Agency) EPA Safer Choice label. This means that the products are certified green.
What is the big deal about the Green Seal and EPA Safer Choice, you ask? To get these certifications, eco-friendly products are tested for chemicals that can affect humans, animals, and the water system. So when they have the certification, you know that they are 100% safe, eco-friendly, and clean effectively.
Work With Green Cleaners for Deep Carpet Cleaning for Your Business
Not everyone has time to go through all the natural cleaning products on the market. In that case, hiring a green cleaning company is your go-to option. They are already familiar with the best environmentally safe cleaning products. Plus, they usually come with their equipment, saving you money. Green cleaning service providers can offer consultancy to train your current staff or provide janitorial cleaning services.
Green cleaners also provide carpet cleaning services. Did you know that the new carpet smell is toxic? Cleaning them removes volatile organic compounds. These nasty chemicals can cause health problems like asthma, allergies, and cancer. Cleaning carpets using eco-friendly cleaning products helps improve air quality too.
To find the best provider, look for ones that are environmentally certified. They should also follow green cleaning procedures. It’s important to get to know the green cleaning team from the get-go. This is ultimately a partnership, and choosing the right green office cleaning service provider is a big step towards a sustainable office.
Carry Out Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
Planning is one thing, carrying out your plan is another. You should adopt practices and products that minimize environmental impact while maintaining high cleanliness standards. For example, aside from using certified green products, use reusable cleaning materials, like microfiber cloths and mops. This helps reduce waste and saves you money when buying disposable items like paper towels. Make them available in all common areas for easy access.
If you keep your existing cleaning staff, provide them with green cleaning training and check your appliances. Using energy-efficient cleaning equipment and practices can greatly cut down costs on electricity and water consumption. HEPA filters improve indoor air quality and they don’t use up too much energy. Make sure your vacuums have them installed. On the other hand, choose floor scrubbers with a low-flow feature. This reduces water usage without compromising cleanliness.
Make sure you set a cleaning schedule that focuses on high-touch and high-traffic areas. This can help keep things clean without using a lot of resources. Training staff to follow these green cleaning practices ensures consistency and effectiveness. This reinforces the office’s commitment to sustainability. It also develops a healthier work environment for everyone.
Implement Eco-Friendly Practices For A Sustainable Office
You have a concrete plan with a strong cleaning crew as a foundation. Now it’s time to get everyone else in the office on board. Everyone should know your vision and mission in achieving office cleaning sustainability.
Get Your Employees Involved
Your employees are the main source of foot traffic in your office. They should know the basic green practices to make the plan work. Implementing green practices for employees can create a culture of environmental responsibility. It will also enhance sustainability within the workplace. Here are green practices that employees can adopt every day:
- Power Down Devices: When not in use, encourage employees to turn off computers, monitors, and other electronic devices, especially at the end of the day. Using the automatic power-saving settings will also minimize energy use.
- Use Energy-Efficient Lighting: Natural light is a huge energy saver. Wherever possible, make sure that office lights are turned off when not needed. Switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs will also decrease electricity usage.
- Reduce Paper Use: Promote digital documentation and communication to minimize paper waste. Double-sided printing will also help and use electronic signatures whenever possible.
- Implement Recycling Programs: Set up recycling bins with clear labels for paper, plastics, glass, and other recyclables. Remind employees of the 3 Rs they learned in school and how it is still applicable in the workplace.
- Encourage Carpooling and Public Transit: If the company can afford it, invest in a company shuttle for your employees. You can also suggest carpooling, biking, or using public transportation and offer incentives or subsidies for employees who use these greener commuting options.
- Offer Remote Work Options: Working from home a few days a week doesn’t disrupt operations. Consider a hybrid work setup whenever possible. This can reduce the carbon footprint linked to daily commuting and office energy use.
- Promote Waste-Free Lunches: Let employees bring meals in reusable containers. Make sure to provide energy-efficient heating appliances so they can still enjoy a hot meal at work.
- Reduce Travel for Meetings: Again, recent years have proven that meetings can be done online. Take advantage of video conferencing tools to reduce travel for meetings. This lowers the carbon footprint associated with business travel.
- Implement Eco-Friendly Event Practices: Use e-vites for office events. Encourage employees to bring reusable containers. These can double as takeout containers to eliminate food waste.
- Create Awareness Campaigns: Educate employees about the benefits of green practices. You can run internal campaigns or workshops to educate them, giving them tips on how they can contribute to a more sustainable workplace.
- Lead by Example: Leadership should model green behaviors. This will inspire and motivate employees to adopt similar practices. Give recognition and rewards to employees actively engaged in the sustainability plan.
Make sure to incorporate these eco-friendly practices into your daily office routines to significantly reduce the office’s environmental impact and foster a culture of sustainability among your employees.
Provide Eco-Friendly Office Cleaning Products
Make it easier for employees to follow the sustainability plan by providing them with eco-friendly products in the office. Choosing environmentally friendly products helps your business reduce its ecological footprint. Here are some green products you can provide in the workplace:
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: Replace traditional cleaning products with green alternatives. Again, these are free from harmful chemicals and pollutants. Look for biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners and ensure that they are effective in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. This includes hand soaps and sanitizers in the bathroom and dishwashing liquid and surface cleaners in the kitchen.
Reusable Cleaning Tools: Microfiber materials are more effective at trapping dust and dirt compared to paper towels or cotton cloths. Plus they can be washed and reused multiple times.
Energy-Efficient Appliances: Kitchen appliances like refrigerators and microwaves should be energy-efficient. Meanwhile, cooling systems like Air Conditioners and air purifiers should have efficient filters to reduce energy consumption. Make sure to have them all serviced as necessary to maintain their good working condition.
Eco-Friendly Office Supplies: Look for a supplier that provides biodegradable office supplies. You can also opt for those made from recycled materials. This includes recycled paper, non-toxic pens, and refillable ink cartridges.
Reusable dining and drinkware: You can get rid of single-use plastics by providing reusable alternatives. Give each employee a personal reusable water bottle, coffee mugs, plates, and utensils available in the employee kitchen. Post a set of rules for cleaning up as they go and maintaining a clutter-free dining environment.
Monitoring and Evaluating Green Cleaning Practices
To know if your green office cleaning plan is effective, you need to monitor your progress. This process also helps identify areas that need improvement and maximize the benefits of your eco-friendly cleaning efforts.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Green Commercial Cleaning
Assess improvements in indoor air quality and employee health. Gather feedback from staff using surveys. This will gauge satisfaction with the cleaning practices. Conduct an air quality test and cost analysis before, during, and after green cleaning implementation. This will show whether the plan was successful and reveal potential savings from reduced chemical usage and lower energy consumption.
Continuous Improvement of Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Methods
To maintain the progress being made using eco-friendly cleaning products for your business, regularly review and update your cleaning protocols. You should also keep yourself updated with the latest news and advancements in green cleaning products. This will help you incorporate techniques to ensure your practices remain effective and relevant.
Takeaways on Implementing Eco-Friendly Cleaning
Committing to going green is more than just fulfilling an environmental responsibility. It’s a strategic decision with long-term benefits for businesses, employees, and their families. The plan has 3 main steps: choosing green cleaning products, implementing sustainable practices, and working with certified green cleaning service providers. Through this plan, your business can create a healthier and more environmentally friendly workspace while reducing your carbon footprint. By adopting eco-friendly practices, you can save costs and enhance your brand reputation. The benefits of embracing sustainability outweigh the challenges of planning and getting started. Committing to sustainability allows your office to set a positive example, inspiring change and strengthening your business for the future.
About Elevated Cleaning Services
Elevated Cleaning Services stands at the forefront of America’s commercial cleaning industry, delivering unparalleled sanitation solutions to businesses nationwide. With a commitment to excellence and a team of highly trained professionals, we transform workspaces into pristine environments that promote productivity and well-being. Our state-of-the-art cleaning technologies, eco-friendly products, and personalized service plans guarantee that each client receives top-quality cleanliness tailored to their needs. From busy offices to large industrial facilities, Elevated Cleaning Services raises the cleanliness standard, enabling businesses to concentrate on their core activities while we uphold their spaces to the highest level of hygiene and presentation.
