You’re looking for eco-friendly cleaning services for your company. What should you consider first?

To start with, have a conversation about what 'clean enough' means for your business. The lowest impact cleaning is the one that doesn't get done at all - so be realistic about what's needed for hygiene, comfort and professionalism - and them, find a company who only uses certified low impact products without any 'danger to aquatic life' nonsense labels such as those on the back of one of the UK's most popular detergents. Interview the manager of the operation to understand what their philosophy of clean, waste, recycling is, and ask them about the toughest jobs they've had as well as the biggest impact they've made.

Prioritize eco-friendly practices. Ensure the cleaning service's use of natural, biodegradable products over harmful chemicals. Demand transparency and proven environmental commitment. -N

Eco-friendly cleaning services use environmentally safe products and practices to minimize the impact on the planet. They typically involve using biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning agents, as well as energy-efficient equipment. These services aim to reduce chemical exposure, promote sustainability, and contribute to a healthier living environment.

How do they treat their staff? modern slavery protection, correct wages etc. How are the sustainable chemicals sourced, used, and disposed of? Do they have or follow set green purchasing guidelines? Do they have a sustainability plan that aligns with your company's plan? Will they be a good fit for your business?

Cleaning is a recurring process and demands regular use of chemicals and water. Its important that cleaning is performed by use of such chemicals that causes as minimum harm to the environment and ecology and at the same time conserve maximum amount of water. Now a days there are products available that claims to be eco friendly that can be looked at however, most importantly the long term focus of cleaning as a service should cause least harm to the environment and conserve natural resources.

Eco-friendly cleaning is a game-changer for your business. It elevates indoor air quality, fostering staff health and productivity. It fortifies your brand as an environmental steward, resonating with eco-conscious customers. Plus, it's cost-efficient, slashing waste and energy expenses. It's not just cleaning; it's a strategic move for sustainability and success. -N

Environmental Responsibility: Businesses that prioritize eco-friendly practices demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability, which can enhance their reputation and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. This can contribute to building a positive brand image and differentiation in the market. Health and Safety: Using non-toxic cleaning products and methods reduces the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals for employees, customers, and visitors. Maintaining a clean and healthy environment can also lead to improved employee morale, productivity, and reduced absenteeism.

A significant aspect to consider is the fact that commissioning the services of a cleaning company (or any supplier) results in the generation of your own scope 3 emissions, and therefore contributing to your own carbon footprint. A sustainable supplier (when done correctly) can very effectively reduce your own footprint. Companies are under increasing pressure to understand and communicate on the impact of their supply-chain, so awarding your contract to an environmentally responsible cleaning company could provide you with a very valuable reduction in emissions and demonstrate that you’re genuinely aware of and focussed on the impact of your business decisions.

As a business if you're starting to consider your environmental impact including scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions you really need to consider utilising an approved sustainable contractor By utilising an eco contractor you can cut emissions, plastic consumption etc and also manage waste better Most eco cleaning companies will have various options to suit your building in an environmentally responsible way

Look for the detail. A cleaning company that has gone to the lengths of implementing a third party verification of the specific impact associated with its on-site activities, staff commuting, consumables, energy consumption, etc is demonstrating class leading action. Independent assessment is key, and standards compliance is vital. Look for an organisation that has a thorough analysis of its offering and a detailed breakdown of its emissions. Not just of the business, but of the actual service you are looking to commission. What is the actual impact of the service being delivered on your site?

This is a difficult one in the current greenwashing environment - many companies are claiming green but not performing it Questions to ask would be: How are you dealing with reducing plastic waste? Do you have a circular or zero plastic system? Are you analysing and reporting your carbon emissions Do you have a circular/washing cloth system rather than using single use The above are the basics but just jump into the detail

Seek peer recommendations, scrutinize online reviews, and directly vet cleaning companies for eco-certifications and sustainable practices. Diligence ensures you partner with a truly eco-conscious service. Always always do your own diligence. Hope this one helps -N

Consider the following: 1- Ensure they hold certifications from recognized bodies like Green Seal or EcoLogo. 2- They should use products with fully disclosed ingredients to avoid harmful chemicals. 3- Verify that their sustainability practices extend to water conservation, waste reduction, and use of reusable materials. 4- Confirm they are insured, and inquire about their HSE employee training and welfare policies to ensure they practice social sustainability. 5- They should offer customization to align with your specific sustainability objectives. 6- Prefer services that use local and/or organic cleaning materials.

While I absolutely agree about looking into eco-friendly cleaning. I actually think the conversation should be about holistic sustainability of the cleaning industry. Are you products Sustainable i.e. packaging, contents. Have you reduced your business as usual CO2 as well as your supply chain? How are you treating your staff i.e are you paying them well? Are they being trained and developed, are they supported? Do you employ from alternative pools? Are you community focused in your staffing and support? Do you promote sustainability of your staff in their home lives i.e paying your employees well means they can afford better choices and alternatives to increase sustainability in their own lives both environmentally and socially.

Insist on products with trusted eco-labels like Green Seal or EPA Safer Choice. Prioritize natural, organic ingredients. Certification and composition are your quality benchmarks. -N

Encouraging the use of localized and organic products is a strategic move for corporations. This approach not only reduces Scope 3 carbon emissions but also provides an excellent opportunity for CSR initiatives. By prioritizing locally sourced products and services, companies can contribute to environmental sustainability, support local economies, and enhance their overall commitment to social responsibility.

Natural and Biodegradable Ingredients: Opt for cleaning products made from natural, plant-based ingredients that are biodegradable and renewable. Look for labels indicating ingredients such as citrus extracts, vinegar, essential oils, and plant-based surfactants. Non-toxic and Chemical-Free: Choose products that are free from harmful chemicals, toxins, and harsh additives such as chlorine, ammonia, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Look for labels that specify "non-toxic," "chemical-free," or "free from harsh chemicals."

Leveraging my background in disaster preparedness and emergency management, I recognize the criticality of efficient resource use and stringent hygiene practices. Hence, I advocate for water-conserving techniques like steam cleaning, hygiene-focused tools like color-coding, and strict adherence to green principles, ensuring a resilient and environmentally-conscious approach. -N

Contracts, from the perspective of delivering "sustainable" services, should include, at a minimum, provisions to ensure the authenticity of the service through document verification, as follows: Confirmation of the absence of child and slave labor. Assessment to ensure that all professionals receive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and work under healthy conditions, following current regulations. Tracing the origin of products, chemical determination, as well as quality certificates for each purchased batch. Identification and licensing of trucks for activities in accordance with current regulations. These four points, from a sustainability standpoint, represent the minimum requirements for a contract.

A huge factor in success with cleaning contractors is the communication and responsiveness of the company. If you have good lines of communication, you'll be able to tackle both everyday cleanliness complaints as well as bigger initiatives to change practices to more eco-friendly ones. Perfection in methods and materials isn't necessary, as long as a company is open to working together. Don't forget to ensure that you have an engaged contract manager on your staff who regularly meets with your cleaning contractor and keeps that communication going!

Living wage? Labour rights? Employee protections? I wish this article was titled 'How To Find Eco AND ETHICAL cleaning companies'. If you're seeking to become a B-Corp, Living Wage Employer etc then how cleaning staff are treated, remunerated and protected needs to be a priority. Think about the people, not just the products they are using.

Once you hired the cleaning company, what's next? Think Onboarding! When onboarding a cleaning company, it is essential to: 1- Clearly communicate your sustainability standards and expectations. 2- Provide training on your sustainability policies to ensure their practices align with yours. 3- Encourage continuous improvement in their sustainability efforts. 4- Integrate them into your supply chain sustainability program for cohesive practices. 5- Monitor their performance against established sustainability metrics regularly. This proactive approach ensures that the cleaning company becomes a partner in your commitment to sustainability ( I assume you have a sustainable supply chain policy or program in place ??)

Cleaning can be broadly categorized into to buckets 1) Basic cleaning for hygiene 2) Need of cleaning due to manmade reasons While the basic cleaning for hygiene is a need and cannot be avoided, need arising from manmade reasons such as civic sense are those that can be avoided. In developing countries (especially) there is a need of behavioral change and enforcement of basic civic practices avoiding the need arising from manmade need and also reducing the need of cleaning for hygiene purposes.

@Solitaire Townsend: Agreed! My first thought was to look at how the employees are treated. Eco-conscious cleaning would have to involve minimal negative health effects on the people using the materials.

I would also suggest considering the packaging in relation to your location and the accessibility of recycling facilities. The best option is to choose products that avoid packaging entirely, such as naked soap bars instead of liquid soap in plastic bottles. Another alternative is reusable packaging, although you should be mindful of the emissions generated during the refill process. Lastly, you can explore the possibility of recycling, bearing in mind that different countries have varying capabilities. For instance, in Australia, plastic recycling is non existing, making cardboard or steel packaging preferable.