Sustainable cleaning is essentially about cleaning to maintain and improve health and well being in a way that is ever more resource-efficient and safe for people and for the environment, as well as being sustainable economically.

 

We should also be aware that green cleaning now involves more than just using products that are more protective of the environment. It also means using products that help promote sustainability. This can be from the way the product is made—using natural and renewable resources—to the way it is packaged—using recycled materials and larger containers to reduce the amount of paper and plastic necessary for packaging—as well as the fuel used for transportation.

 

While the goal of being sustainable involves using less paper, water, and fuel and few, if any, natural resources and materials, a better understanding is needed of the broader depth of the word.

 

We have a process to measure the amounts of energy, water, and resources we use to run our businesses. This provides an initial benchmark, and online “dashboard” computer systems can be used to collect and analyze this information.

 

Users enter information regarding how much electricity, fuel, water, and other resources are being used. The information allows the system to establish a benchmark and to track ongoing usage. Therefore, managers know exactly when, where, and how these resources are used in their businesses’ operations and the potential impact on the environment.

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These are the few steps we are taking to become more sustainable:

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• We use green cleaning chemicals. These are made of renewable resources and are packaged in recycled and recyclable materials.

• We have developed fair and equitable employment practices. These practices, along with proper training, are the “people” component of sustainability. A benefit for Star Facility Services is that we can reduce turnover and absenteeism, resulting in a major cost savings.

• We process all product orders and requests using online services to reduce the need for paper.

• We update cleaning equipment. Newer equipment is usually more energy and water efficient than are older machines.

• We also employ more interim cleaning methods. This applies mostly to floor and carpet care; properly performed, interim cleaning methods can reduce frequency of floor refinishing/carpet restoration, which helps save energy, water, and chemical.

• We use low-flow equipment. Our extractors and floor machines are designed with more advanced low-flow technologies that use less water and chemical compared to older machines.

• Our cleaning equipment are highly efficient and properly maintained.

• We have incorporated reporting/ measuring system to analyze green and sustainable business operations.

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