Consumer demand has driven the need to increase the availability of environmentally friendly cleaning services and products to develop and improve sustainable business practices.
The Benefits of Implementing Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Services to Improve Sustainable Business Practices
Consumer pressure has recently led the construction and home improvement retail giant, The Home Depot, Inc., to request that their suppliers remove the following chemicals from their cleaning products:
- Propyl-paraben.
- Butyl-paraben.
- Diethyl phthalates.
- Dibutyl phthalates.
- Formaldehyde Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs).
- Triclosan Toluene, and;
- Trichloroethylene (TCE).
Source:
Additionally, according to Cleaning and Maintenance Management (cmmonline.com);
The Home Depot also is having its suppliers remove triclosan, formaldehyde, and other chemicals from its carpeting and paint.
These initiatives will help improve indoor air quality in homes and facilities and give cleaners and building managers more choices in green products.
These chemicals are linked to increases in illness and disease after long-term exposure, as well as contributing to indoor air pollution, a significant factor in reduced occupant performance, health, and engagement.
However, merely removing toxic chemicals and their unsustainable manufacturing processes from our homes and offices, as well as the burden they place on our environment, is not enough.
The full implementation of a sustainable plan requires partnering with vendors and product manufacturers who have committed themselves to decrease waste, improving efficiency, reusing or recycling safe products and packaging derived from natural materials and resources, as well as distributing their products in such a manner that reduces or eliminates carbon emissions.
The Environmental Burden of Commercial Cleaning Products
Commercial cleaning, while necessary for the health and safety of our society, places a substantial burden on our shared environment.
As previously noted, many of the currently common consumer and commercial-grade products carry heavy doses of chemicals tied to costly human illness, such as:
- Endocrine damage.
- Neurological issues.
- Genetic and reproductive problems, and;
- Cancer.
The chemicals are dispersed into the air via evaporation and the water system and ground through regular use disposal methods.
While common sewage treatment practices reduce much of the pollution in the water, small amounts of various toxins seep through--endangering local wildlife, the environment in general, and us.
Other products, such as nitrogen and phosphorous can build up and adversely affect water quality.
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The Benefits of Sustainable Business Practices
Sustainable practices which include environmentally friendly cleaning services provide numerous benefits for schools and businesses, including:
- Market Performance.
- Tax Benefits, Financial Incentives, and Government Subsidies.
- Increased Efficiency and Reduced Waste, and;
- Employee Engagement.
Market Performance
Several studies have shown that businesses who invest in addressing climate change and the reduction of carbon emissions outperformed their competitors.
According to Carbon Clear News;
A CDP report identified that businesses that account for climate change see 18% higher return on investment (ROI) than companies that don’t, and a 67% higher ROI than those who fail to disclose their emissions entirely.
Further;
A.T. Kearney compared the economic performance of companies committed to sustainability versus companies conducting business as usual.
In 16 of 18 industries, sustainable companies performed better than their peers and were better insulated from value erosion.
Finally;
A 2007 Goldman Sachs study revealed that companies in six industries considered leaders in environmental social and governance policies have outperformed the general stock market by 25 percent with 72 percent of the companies outperforming their peers since August 2005.
Tax Benefits, Financial Incentives, and Government Subsidies
Several tax benefits and financial incentives are currently in place which encourages and rewards organizations for adopting business practices that are better for the environment, including:
- Deductions for HVAC and utility systems (water, gas, and power) which significantly reduce natural resource consumption.
- An (up to) 30% tax credit for using alternative energy sources, as well as additional credits for many energy efficient vehicles, and;
- Additional incentives for the recycling or reuse of certain equipment and machinery.
Additional government financial incentives are available, including grants for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA), for organizations which actively pursue eco-friendly practices.
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Increased Efficiency and Reduced Waste
In addition to the financial incentives offered by various local, state, and federal governments and organizations, the increased efficiency of utility delivery and use will lower operational expenses.
Combining the efficient delivery of natural resource utilities with modern green cleaning practices will further reduce demands on water, power, and gas while eliminating the introduction of toxic chemicals into the air and water.
The addition of reuse protocols, such as repairing and redistributing electronics, will reduce operational overhead even further by increasing the usable life-span of already purchased equipment, eliminating the need to purchase new additional hardware and preventing the unnecessary and problematic buildup of e-waste in our nation's landfills.
Adding additional recycling efforts, especially where community outreach is involved has also proven to be a positive approach for establishing and building brand reputation with local communities, and will soon become an essential requirement for competitive organizations seeking the attention of the millennial-era workforce.
Employee Engagement
The plague of employee disengagement in the U.S. is appalling, with a staggering >40% of workers reporting as engaged in their jobs.
Studies have shown that employees who were actively engaged in socially responsible activities within their organization, especially when executed as a team effort, were more engaged and productive than their peers.
Additionally, numerous studies have presented evidence establishing a direct correlation between indoor air quality, the availability of natural lighting, the ability of a worker to choose where they work during the day, as well as control the temperature in their immediate environment, and significant increases in student and worker output quality, performance, and health.
The simple fact is that healthier and happier employees translate into increased profits.
Where Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Services Fits In
Eco-friendly cleaning services -- or going green, if you will -- is not the same thing as sustainable business practices, but exists as a core necessity for a complete sustainable program.
Environmentally friendly cleaning:
- Uses non-toxic chemicals and products, often manufactured and distributed according to sustainable practices.
- Significantly reduces water and power usage by implementing state of the art products, such as microfiber.
- Eliminates the evaporation and pollution of the indoor air, as well as damage to the surrounding environment when disposed of, resulting in fewer employee absences or costly illnesses.
- Reduces the cost of shipping and storage due to its non-toxic nature, and;
- Has a high-appeal to modern consumers and emerging workforces.
References & Resources
- How Exactly Do Cleaning Supplies Affect the Environment?
- Benefits of Becoming a Sustainable Business
- Five Benefits of Embracing Sustainability and Green Manufacturing
Takeaway
Adding environmentally friendly cleaning services to your organization's established or emerging sustainable business plan is the perfect way to offset costs associated with new equipment or facilities purchases while improving the productive output of your organization through improved health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Outsourcing these services to an experienced and certified vendor reduces the needed amount of time necessary for full plan adoption, especially when compared to taking on the challenge in-house, often without the proper experience and expertise.
If you would like to learn more about the advantages of environmentally friendly cleaning services and how they can help your organization succeed with sustainable business practices–contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 4373253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
