raising standards Sustainability Beyond Green Cleaning G Green cleaning, especially over the past decade, has evolved to include more sophisticated products, tools and processes. It has captured the attention of building owners, visitors and occu-pants, all of whom see the benefits of cleaning programs that mini-mize the impact on human health and the environment. To be effective, green cleaning programs require planning and attention. This is why ISSA has included a Green Buildings component in its Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) called CIMS-GB. CIMS-GB not only addresses the critical elements of a green cleaning program, including products, processes and performance; the Standard also is designed to fit neatly into an organization’s over -all sustainability program. By: Dave Frank A comprehensive program should address the three pillars of sustainability. The policy should also include detailed information on how green processes will be followed, managed and measured. 2. Reduced chemical and water usage Managers can help identify opportunities to reduce chemical and water consumption with equipment and dispensers designed to use less and/or precise amounts of each. Additionally, the right products and equipment will avoid the need to redo areas, which results in all kinds of savings. If restroom fixtures are part of the cleaning scope, managers can choose low-flow options. Finally, engineers can help facility managers come up with options for using storm water or nearby ponds as sources of water for irriga-tion of landscaping. 3. Decreased energy use Day cleaning eliminates the need for lights and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to be left on at night, reducing heating, cooling and lighting loads. Cleaning workers also can help reduce energy use by ensuring various pieces of office equipment are powered down at the end of the workday. 4. Waste reduction Recycling and waste reduction programs are the most successful when they are shared broadly. Recycling “cheat sheets” help educate building occupants on proper recycling procedures. Other ways to reduce waste include partnering with facilities teams to implement a composting program, eliminate disposable cups and require workers to use two-sided printing. 5. Social responsibility Depending on the type and size of the cleaning organization, social responsibility initiatives can include anything from management train-ing programs for workers to volunteer programs. Social responsibility also means complying with local and federal laws and enhancing the communities in which the organization works. 6. Commitment to continuous improvement Sustainability does not have an end; it requires a never-ending commitment to reducing environmental impact for future generations. Cleaning managers must make sure to measure progress, com-municate accomplishments and set new goals. Sustainability is a course of action for businesses today and clean-ing organizations have an important role to play in reaching sustain-ability goals. CM David Frank is a 30-year industry veteran and the president of the American Institute for Cleaning Science. AICS is the registrar for the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standards certification program. Defining Sustainability The most widely cited and accepted definition for sustainability comes from the Brundtland Report in 1987: “Sustainable devel-opment is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability has been further defined to include the “triple bottom line” or three pillars of sustainability: People, planet and profit. Given the definition of sustainability, it is reasonable to expect that a comprehensive green cleaning program should encompass not only environmental considerations, but also social and economic considerations as well. To move beyond green cleaning to sustainable cleaning, manag-ers need to consider how they operate their departments and how that impacts overall operations: ■ Environmental: Improved air quality, waste reduction and resource conservation. ■ Economic: Reduced operating costs, improved worker produc-tivity and increased lifecycle of buildings and surfaces. ■ Social: Enhanced appearance and impression of the indoor environment, improved occupant comfort and health. Sustainable Cleaning What sets a sustainable cleaning program apart from a green clean-ing program is that it addresses each of the three aspects. Managers who want to implement a sustainable cleaning program should be sure to consider and include the following six elements: 1. Green cleaning policy This written policy details the purchase and use of sustainable cleaning products and equipment and addresses chemical and pol-lution control, pest management, solid waste management/recycling and resource conservation. 46 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • April 2013
CMM – Archives Apr 2013: 46
