A green business that has gotten a great deal of attention of late is
the green cleaning service. Some of the attractions to the business
include relatively low financial and technological barriers to entry,
as well as a large and growing appeal for homeowner and commercial
clients. While many service-oriented businesses have seen troubling
declines in the soft economy, green cleaning gives business owner a
potential edge over the crowded field of cleaning and janitorial
businesses.
The Consumer Appeal Of the Green
Cleaning Service:
According to the federal government, on average Americans spend about
90 percent of their days indoors. EPA studies indicate that human
exposure to air pollutants indoors can be 2-5 times, and occasionally
up to 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. Sources of all that indoor
air pollution include petrochemical off-gassing from the materials,
paint, and adhesives we use to build our homes and offices, natural
contaminants from radon, molds and mildew, process pollutants from fax
and copy machines, combustion contaminants from HVAC systems, dust, and
cleaning chemicals. The resulting chemical and particulate brew that we
breathe every day has been blamed for allergies, lethargy, sinus
infections, inability to concentrate, nose bleeds, poor work
performance, respiratory infections, asthma, and even some cancers.
A cleaning service that focuses on using cleaning products and
processes to eliminate as many of the indoor environmental contaminants
in a structure as possible has a wide appeal for a growing number of
potential clients.
The LEED Green Building
Connection:
The US Green Building Council
(USGBC) administers
the national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
building rating system. The number of LEED rated commercial and public
buildings is growing exponentially each year. Each green building is a
strong potential client for a green cleaning service. In fact, under
the LEED for New Construction v.2.2 rating system, many certified
buildings actually gain credit under the Innovations and Design rating
category by specifying that they will employ environmentally sensitive
cleaning programs once the building is occupied. LEED 2009, which is
due mid-year is widely expected to require such a program. If you are
able to offer a pre-built and proven green cleaning proposal to a
building owner or the LEED design team, your services may be a godsend
for a LEED project.
Launching A Green Cleaning
Service -- What to Consider:
According to Jean Hanson, a long-time owner of a successful commercial
cleaning business, consultant, and owner of the industry resource
website
The Janitorial Store, "The problem with green cleaning right
now is the perception that all you need to do is start using green
products and you're suddenly offering green cleaning services. Not so.
It goes way beyond the chemicals you use. Tools, equipment and cleaning
procedures have a lot to do with providing a total green cleaning
package."
Green
Cleaning -- The Business At A Glance
Cleaning Chemicals
When choosing the cleaners, cleansers, soaps, etc that you will use for
your business, specify products that have already been vetted by a
widely accepted standard. The leading green cleaning materials standard
is GreenSeal. (www.GreenSeal.org) GreenSeal
maintains a list of cleaning products and manufacturers that have
complied with their stringent toxicity and air quality standards.
Beware of most of the other trust seals claiming environmental
friendliness that you will find on cleaning products. Many of these
seals are industry or manufacturers programs that are either
meaningless or nearly so.
Reusable Cleaning
Materials
Eliminate as many disposable cleaning materials from your processes as
possible. Utilize washable linens and mop heads and durable squeegees.
Paper towel products should be avoided as much as possible.
Be Water Sensitive
Make certain that you or your employees are sensitive to water waste.
Cleaning takes a certain amount of the wet stuff, but most procedures
can be accomplished with less water than they traditionally have been
with only a bit of mindful consideration.
Keep
the Dust Down
Use vacuum equipment with high efficiency filtration (HEPA) and maintain the
filters.
Assist
Clients With Recycling Efforts
Recycling programs are almost universal in most areas of the US now,
but almost every household or commercial recycling effort can use help.
Offering to administer a recycling program for a commercial client can
gain big points with overworked decision makers.
Consider Fuel Efficient
Transportation
If your cleaning crew arrives in a hybrid vehicle with your signage on
the side stressing the environmental aspect of your service, you gain
PR points for your clients and your own company, not to mention the
potential operational savings the vehicles can offer.
Be A Champion For the Cause
Every brochure, contract, sign, ad or other marketing piece should
stress the green, healthy, and environmentally sensitive efforts of
your operation. Don't be afraid to educate the public of the importance
of your service. If you make "it" about them, they will be more apt to
pay attention. In other words stress the advantages of cleaner indoor
air, non-toxic cleaning products, and more environmentally sensitive
processes.
Don't
Go It Alone!
The Janitorial Store is a
robust online resource for seasoned cleaning professionals and new
business owners alike. The membership-based website offers guidance
from an impressive list of industry leaders, downloadable guides and
sample proposals, guidance with contracts, and help with human resource
matters. The Janitorial Store also offers consulting services if you need additional help from a seasoned pro. Aligning with people who have been there and
have been successful can save you untold wasted effort and money.
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