Partner Facility Solutions
With the ongoing COVID pandemic, many facilities have had to increase their commercial cleaning needs in order to keep up with the ever-changing recommended practices for cleaning. With this increase in commercial cleaning, the question of the long-term implications of the use of products with excessively hazardous ingredients such as alkyl phenol ethoxylates, phosphorus, and even nitrogen is paramount. These common cleaning product components can spread into the environment in a variety of ways – including waterways. Due to the increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of commercial cleaning practices, many facilities can benefit from using green commercial cleaning services.
We consider things “green,” when they have been curated with the intention of doing minimal – or no – harm to the environment. This means that it has been tested and proven to be less hazardous, and, in an effort to cater to the changing market, many companies will deem their products as “eco-friendly” or “environmentally friendly” without specifying or indicating what qualifies it for that designation. To help consumers actively identify products or services as “green,” the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released two specific designating labels for cleaning products that have been proven to be less hazardous to the environment – the Safer Choice label program and the Design for the Environment label program. These labels help consumers easily identify if the cleaning products are truly “green” or not.
When selecting the right green commercial cleaning services for your facility, it is incredibly important to take note of the types of products and ingredients being used, but also, the kinds of green cleaning practices used. A few tell-tale signs of a “green” commercial cleaner include:
By being conservative with water usage during cleaning practices, you are able to save water which can be especially beneficial in areas that experience droughts. Additionally, by being aware of water use during commercial cleaning, you are also preventing the amount of water runoff damage and pollution is occurring – which is incredibly important as waterway contamination can quickly spread hundreds of miles from the original site. This also ties into product hazard awareness, because when commercial cleaners must use the occasional “heavy duty” hazard filled product to get tough jobs done, it is important that the products are not being washed down drains or directed into water systems. At the same time, it is also important to be aware of how you are cleaning your tools and appliances used to conduct the cleaning in order to avoid runoff contamination.
Using a green commercial cleaner for your facility can benefit both the environment and your workplace immensely. Many cleaning products used in mass amounts tend to have a lot of chemicals that are intended to target large stains, spills, and messes. These products often contain more hazardous materials than are necessary to get the job done. These chemicals can be released into the surrounding area via the air, and may be undetectable visually and odor-wise. The overuse of non-green cleaning products and practices can over time harm those who frequent the facility including employees, guests, and even the cleaning crew themselves. Additionally, these hazardous ingredients, non-green cleaning products are also more likely to damage or corrode surfaces much quicker due to excessive chemicals. Contracting a green commercial cleaning service means that you are reducing the risk of exposure for your employees and guests, but it is also better for the cleaning service employees as well.
As for environmental benefits, contracting a green commercial cleaner for your facility will result in automatic benefits for the surrounding environment. This lowers your company’s environmental impact on air quality and reduces how much you contribute to ozone depletion. At the same time, you are reducing the amount of harm to aquatic species of plants and animals by choosing a green commercial cleaner. Because green commercial cleaners are using products and methods which are certified green, there are fewer hazardous chemicals released into the waterways nearby which can be toxic and cause irritation to both aquatic species and humans who come into contact with the contaminated water.
The bottom line is that a green commercial cleaner can bring your facility many benefits, from air quality control to water conservation savings and protecting the environment, the benefits are endless. Green commercial cleaning services can make a huge difference, especially when it comes to large facilities who require a lot of products to get the job done. The environmental benefits will be on a larger scale as well because making the switch to green cleaners for large, sprawling facilities can make a world of a difference – especially when it comes to industries that by nature emit more pollutants and hazards into the surrounding areas.
With over 30 years in owners combined experience, Partner Facility Solutions has come together to create a company model that believes superior quality service can’t be compromised. Extensive training with intelligent supervision and ownership helps us keep a clear vision of our goals and commitment. Give us a call today for a free consultation and let us be the solution for your facility’s needs. We look forward to forming a partnership with you.
