How can the commercial cleaning industry be more environmentally friendly?
We will be discussing how the commercial cleaning industry can be more environmentally friendly with a range of ideas and tips on how you can improve your sustainability, such as looking into eco-friendly products, reducing energy consumption and waste. At the end of this blog post, you will have a better understanding of how our industry can be more environmentally friendly and how vital a role you can play in protecting our planet whilst still delivering the best services to your customers. How can you make a difference in your cleaning business while saving money and protecting the environment?
As society becomes more and more environmentally conscious, especially with the alarming climate crisis that threatens our future, we have seen different industries take steps in becoming more eco-friendly. For example, Patagonia & New Belgium Brewing are pledging to become carbon-neutral. The commercial cleaning industry should be nothing different in this aspect. PolicyBee states that waste management now accounts for a quarter of the entire cleaning industry and continues to grow.
Not only can these eco-friendly practices such as using eco-friendly products and stronger recycling methods improve the environment by reducing waste and pollution, but eco-friendly products can also strongly improve cleaning efficiency in day-to-day work.
This blog post is for anyone that wants to improve their sustainability and make their company more environmentally friendly. Specifically for professionals in the cleaning industry such as industry managers and cleaners.
Why should you be environmentally friendly?
The commercial cleaning industry can have an enormous impact on the environment, besides that, why should you be more environmentally friendly?
- Eco-friendly products can improve efficiency within workplace cleaning.
- Eco-friendly products are often better value and lower cost in use.
- Customers are pivoting more to environmentally friendly companies.
- Environmentally friendly products are better for the health & safety of people.
Making environmental choices is the key to preserving our planet and local environments. It is becoming more important to preserve our natural resources and by enforcing environmentally friendly practices into the commercial cleaning industry, we can have a positive impact on the planet and customers.
Customers are now beginning to preference products and services from commercial cleaning companies that are environmentally responsible. Moreover, employees are also more engaged and productive when they work in a green workplace. The Office of National Statistics states that around three in four adults (74%) reported feeling (very or somewhat) worried about climate change.
Many commercial cleaning companies are adopting green practices and products that meet rigorous environmental criteria. Some of these include using biodegradable or plant-based chemicals, reducing water and energy consumption, reducing waste materials, using reusable or compostable packaging and more.
We will go into depth on what the benefits are of replacing your traditional cleaning chemicals with more green, eco-friendly products below.
How to be more environmentally friendly
- Eco-Friendly products – Replacing your traditional cleaning products with eco-friendly products will help reduce toxic chemicals that can harm the environment. Reports state that there is growing demand for eco-friendly cleaning products. This isn’t an easy task, but rationalising your existing product ranges will not only help reduce cost but demonstrate where you can make environmental savings.
- Leverage Suppliers – The job of a commercial cleaning company is an ever changing one and time can be limited. Leverage your suppliers who provide cleaning products or services to do some of the work. They will be able to evaluate what you have purchased from them and recommend the environmental equivalent.
- Sustainable transport – Fuel consumption has a vast impact on the environment; however, you can reduce your impact on emissions by using electric vehicles, hybrid technologies, and investing in route optimising software.
- Recycling – Re-using waste is a great way to create a circular and sustainable practice. According to this study, it is estimated that cleaning chemical waste is equated to 40,000 waste truck loads. However, reducing waste (yes, even recycling) is the ultimate goal.
- Set goals – Create realistic sustainability goals for your company and work towards accreditations, such as PlanetMark which demonstrate you are taking your environmental responsibilities seriously.
- Awareness – Inform your workers and customers on eco-friendly innovations and how exactly you can be more environmentally friendly. Educating your employees and customers on how valuable it is to be eco-friendly is crucial in creating sustainability for your company.
In Review
The commercial cleaning industry has huge potential to continue to make a significant impact on the environment and by using the above tips, you can implement eco-friendly practices. By using eco-friendly products, having sustainable transport, recycling and re-using any potential items, setting sustainability goals and training your employees and customers on the importance of the environment, we can make the commercial cleaning industry more sustainable.
Looking to purchase eco-friendly products? We supply a range of cleaning chemicals, paper products, equipment, and machinery!