Emerging trends in commercial janitorial services rely on green technologies that conserve natural resources and focus heavily on sustainable practices, specifically, water conservation and sustainability.
Green Janitorial Services & Water Sustainability Practices
Water, the second most vital resource on our planet, is under a constant onslaught of wasteful use and pollution.
Water is a finite resource—even though about 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water, less than 1 percent is available for human use.
WaterSense Statistics & Facts - Why Save Water?
Progressive businesses and consumers recognize this pattern and are taking action now to preserve our future.
Simple, cost-effective technologies, such as grey and recycled water, foaming soap, microfiber, and certified green cleaning products have been proven to provide financial, ecological, and health benefits for everyone.
The Difference Between Recycled and Greywater
Greywater is typically collected from rain runoff, sinks & showers, washing machines, and dishwashers, and reused in a secondary process, such as:
- External facade and window cleaning.
- Irrigation, and;
- Toilet flushing or sewage flow.
Recycled water is Greywater that has been treated and may be potable after treatment and testing.
The financial and ecological benefits to these systems can be tremendous.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- Americans, on average, use 100 gallons of water per day, at home;
- Costing an estimated $500 per year in water bills and sewage treatment;
- Which can be lowered by approximately 30%, with the installation of water-efficient fixtures and appliances;
- Saving an estimated $170 per year per household.
Source:
- Water Sense
Using biodegradable, ecologically-safe, sustainable, green cleaning products will reduce the cost of water filtration, as well as the risk of introducing toxic chemicals from conventional cleaning products into food, or the environment, and damaging the water table while simplifying the potability process.
The Role of Green Cleaning Products in Recycled and Greywater Use
Unfortunately, not all green cleaning products are considered sustainable.
To achieve the goal of true sustainability, a product must be manufactured under sustainable practices and methods, lending weight to the argument that it is particularly beneficial to retain the services of an experienced janitorial services provider with established vendor channels to assist your organization with product purchasing and guidelines.
By only flushing waste water mixed with sustainable green cleaning chemicals, you reduce the total cost of ownership and time to realize a return on your investment by eliminating the need for high-end filtration systems to ensure that greywater is safe for reuse in irrigation.
Professional Tips for Greywater Systems
An unfortunate number of greywater systems fail to realize their full potential for a number of reasons.
To avoid the costly, and potentially hazardous, installation of a poorly performing system, follow these professional guidelines.
- Keep the design simple and aligned with your home or businesses specific needs.
- Install a system that does not require a pump.
- Do not store greywater for more than 24-hours.
- Do not ignore legitimate public health concerns.
- Check your local laws, and acquire the proper permits, before installing.
- Only pretreat water that will be used as potable, or that is to be directed towards public sewage systems unless you are concerned about the makeup of the pipes involved in the delivery process.
- Never direct greywater into natural water flows.
- Avoid using greywater to water vegetables, and focus on ornamental foliage instead.
- Do not spray directly onto the lawn. Use a drip system, instead.
- Consult with an experienced professional before moving forward with any DIY installation.
For More Information:
Green Cleaning Tips for Sustainable Water Use
One of the most cost-effective and affordable ways to reduce water use is to switch to liquid foaming soap dispensers.
A recent study published by GOJO Industries, Inc. found that;
9.7% less water was used washing hands with foam soap versus liquid soap with a confidence level of 97%.
Effects of Foam Hand Soap on Water Consumed During Typical Hand Washing
Additionally, while microfiber may not be sustainable, due to its synthetic manufacturing process, it has proven more environmentally conscious in application than conventional cloth or cotton systems.
According to CleanLink;
When used properly, microfiber systems can clean floors 45 percent better than traditional string mops, while reducing water and chemical consumption by up to 90 percent.
The article goes on further to state;
Traditional cotton mops are bargain priced, at a few dollars per head, but will last no more than 50 machine laundering cycles before needing to be replaced.
References & Resources
- How to reuse grey water in the home and yard
- About Greywater Reuse
- Reuse Gray Water And Rainwater For Irrigation Or Toilet Flushing
- Greening How We Clean
Takeaway
Water is a vital and diminishing resource that must be protected.
As external pressures mount, organizations wishing to attract the emerging talent pool, as well as informed and educated customer demographics, must align their business with water conservation and recycling, as well as other sustainable practices.
Installing waste and rainwater capture tanks, in combination with energy/water-efficient appliances and fixtures, will significantly reduce water waste and associated costs.
Not all green cleaning products are sustainable, which is why it vital that any organization concerned with genuinely sustainable business practices consult with an experienced and qualified professional regarding their product purchasing needs.
If you would like to learn more about the advantages of green janitorial services and water sustainability for your school or business, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
