Establishing and maintaining an environmentally friendly office or classroom is rapidly becoming mandatory for schools and businesses who wish to remain competitive with the emerging workforce and student body.
Creating Environmentally Friendly Offices and Classrooms
When it comes to running and managing a forward-thinking business or school, every day is Earth Day, and your organization's cleaning program should be leading the way in regards to innovation, sustainable action, and environmentally friendly practices, including:
- Environmentally conscious products and packaging.
- Partnerships with like-minded vendors.
- Biophilic design.
- Equipment that minimizes the use of natural resources, and;
- Cleaning routines and office arrangements that take advantage of natural air and sunlight.
Environmentally Friendly Products and Packaging
Environmentally friendly products and packaging are chemicals, containers, boxes, and shipping materials that are typically biodegradable, recyclable, and safe for the planet and its natural resources.
Often, these products are shipped in concentrated form and can be stored for much longer and take up less space than their conventional toxic chemical counterparts which must be shipped pre-diluted in bulky plastic containers--all of which is hazardous to our safety and the long-term health of the planet.
Two of the most popular and highly regarded locations to research alternatives to toxic chemical cleaning products are:
- The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safer Choice list, and;
- The Environmental Working Group's (EWG) list.
Partnering with vendors who are dedicated to the same kind of environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices will simplify the process and ensure that the packaging and shipping materials are manufactured in a safe manner from repurposed or recycled materials.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design and architecture is an increasingly popular method for constructing and decorating buildings with a focus on bringing nature indoors to help occupants who spend far too much of their lives indoors regain a balance with nature.
Studies have shown that exposure to indoor environments which emphasize live natural settings improves occupant wellbeing, satisfaction, and productivity, and has been correlated to improved health and decrease absenteeism.
The live plants also naturally filter the air of dust, allergens, and other airborne particles that can lead to asthma or flu-like symptoms, decrease productivity, and lead to expensive healthcare costs and absences.
Energy & Resource Savings
Advanced cleaning technologies, such as microfiber, which maximizes water use while minimizing or eliminating the need for gas to heat water, or robotic floor scrubbers, which recycle their tanks and use a fraction of the water, time, and electricity required to complete a similar job when compared to conventional manually driven scrubbers, are just two examples of resource-saving technologies currently available on the market.
Another simple innovation that can reduce expenses, time-to-task completion, and storage costs are modern chemical management systems (CMS), which come in two popular forms.
- Pre-measured pods, which you are likely familiar with, and;
- Automated systems which are connected to a water supply and concentrated chemical mix, which automatically mixes and dilutes the cleaning product to an ideal level and eliminates guesswork, wasted water, potentially hazardous exposure, and improper dilution.
When combined with changes in cleaning routines, such as the implementation of daytime cleaning, energy costs and consumption can be significantly reduced.
Additionally, there are numerous documented advantages to allowing workers and students to pick where they wish to work--most often by large windows that provide natural lighting and views of nature--can significantly improve morale, wellbeing, and productive output.
References & Resources
- Green Tips for the Office
- How To Create An Environmentally Friendly Office
- 5 Ways to Create an Environmentally Friendly Office
- Guide to an Environmentally-Friendly Office
- 30 Easy Ways to Go Green in the Office
Takeaway
With the proper application of modern cleaning practices and chemicals combined with natural lighting and increased airflow filtered with live indoor plants, any organization can drastically improve the health and productivity of their workforce and student body for a minimal cost that has been shown to create a substantial return on investment.
Navigating the confusing and, unfortunately, often misleading world of green cleaning products and technologies can be challenging without the necessary experience.
Outsourcing your organization's requirements is a proven method for rapid onboarding these beneficial services at a significantly reduced cost, especially when compared to the complexities and challenges associated with managing and retaining an in-house facilities maintenance and custodial team.
If you would like to learn more about the business and production boosting advantages of establishing and maintaining an environmentally friendly office or classroom or would like to discuss your organization's cleaning and infection prevention and control needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
