Increased optics and the need to reduce waste and increase efficiency have created a demand for more environmentally sustainable and effective facility cleaning and maintenance solutions.
Green Cleaning Trends in 2022
Green cleaning trends and technologies are getting a push from several forces.
The first is increased demands from occupants for improved and sustainable cleaning outcomes that focus on their health and the safety of the natural environment.
This push picked up a significant head of steam during the pandemic as we witnessed the complete failure of conventional facility cleaning and sanitization measures to safeguard occupant health and the damage caused to the local environment as a consequence of poorly conceived methods and practices.
Businesses that fail to meet office worker demand could witness a mass exodus of talent to competitors.
According to a survey of 1,600 U.S. office workers;
While cleaning practices weren’t a major priority for employees pre-Covid, 66% of U.S. workers find it extremely important now.
For 62% of employees, simply seeing sanitation professionals regularly at their workplace would make them feel safer.
To feel safe returning to their offices, employees are stressing the importance of adequate cleaning and sanitizing practices in the workplace.
The vast majority of respondents, 89.9%, believe workplace cleaning protocols are very or somewhat important, with 93.4% of vaccinated and 82.2% of unvaccinated respondents agreeing.
According to respondents (38.3%), improper cleaning at their workplace might even lead to them changing jobs.
66% of employees want better office cleaning practices before returning to work
A second significant force driving sustainable innovations is a new composting law taking effect in California that will roll out gradually over the next two years, ultimately resulting in financial enforcement for compliance failures.
According to ABC7;
For millions of Californians all around the state, 2022 will be the year that forever changes how we deal with waste.
On Jan. 1, a new law came into effect that requires all people and businesses to separate things like leftover food and kitchen scraps from the rest of their trash.
It's a process called composting.
The idea behind it is to keep perishable waste out of places like landfills, and instead turn them into a new recycled material that helps offset climate change.
The new law will roll out gradually and will be implemented at different times over the next two years depending on what city or county you live in.
But by 2024, the state will begin imposing fines on those who fail to do it correctly.
California's new composting law in effect: Here's what you need to know
Presently, the trends resulting from these driving forces have produced:
- Multi-tasking cleaning machines, and;
- Smart-Waste and Recycling systems.
Multi-Tasking Cleaning Machines
Janitorial departments are under increased scrutiny from facility office workers and consumers who now demand high-level cleaning outcomes without mistakes the first time through.
This has led to the emergence of multi-tasking cleaning machines and solutions that:
- Reduce the probability of operator error.
- Increase cleaning efficacy and efficiency.
- Eliminate wasted time and resources--both labor and natural, and;
- Produced measurably superior outcomes when compared to conventional cleaning and sanitization methods.
Examples of these technologies include:
- Hard floor cleaning tools that combine vacuuming and mopping into one device while eliminating buckets, mops, spray bottles, cloths, and product dilution challenges, and;
- Automatically-metered, multi-tool cleaning caddies that combine indoor pressure washing and wet vacs that substantially improve cleaning and sanitation outcomes in hard-to-clean restrooms and kitchens without the need to change out tools or employ multiple operators.
Smart-Waste Management Systems
Smart-waste management systems combine:
- Multi-bin garbage separation--general waste, recyclables, and organic waste.
- Solar-powered compaction, and;
- Waste-level sensors that notify operators it's time to empty the receptacles.
This technology promises to reduce:
- The number of required collections, resulting in lower carbon emissions.
- Pest access.
- Overflows, and;
- Wind-blown litter escaping the bins.
When combined with monitoring software and other recycling technologies, the current belief is that these systems will divert a significant volume of pollution-causing garbage from landfills while reducing the number of operators required to complete the task, resulting in lower operational costs.
Takeaway
Trends and technologies continue to emerge in the custodial industry due to facility occupant demands for improved performance and outcomes and legislative requirements mandating improvements to sustainable operations and waste diversion.
In addition to the initial capital investment in tools, ongoing investments must be made to ensure service provider and operator competencies--a challenge that may prove cost-prohibitive for many organizations.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and sanitization services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial 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
In Palmdale, CA or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756
