The consultant should do the following: Determine the square footage, examine the layout and traffic flow, consider environ-mental surroundings, examine the carpet type and analyze overall needs. By considering these factors, you can determine if the dry method is right for your facility. LEEDership Not all operations introduce sustainable practices solely for the environmental and cost saving benefits. Many are working towards achieving LEED-EBOM status, the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) standard that allows building managers to earn points towards certification by operating existing buildings in a more sustainable manner. LEED-EBOM provides a recognized, per-formance-based benchmark for building owners and managers to measure opera-tions, improvement and maintenance on a consistent scale. Attaining LEED-EBOM status differenti-ates a company by recognizing them as a green building leader. This can help to attract and retain quality employees, elevate a company’s profile in the community and recognize their concern for the global environment. While facility managers will need to take a variety of steps to achieve LEED-EBOM cer-tification, using dry polymer-based systems for textile and carpet cleaning can make many contributions to LEED-EBOM points. Incorporating methods to increase water efficiency, sustain materials and resources and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) are all components that contribute to earning LEED-EBOM points. Breathe Easy While a dry cleaning method can help pro-tect the environment and lower utility bills, regular carpet maintenance, no matter which method you use, helps improve a building’s IAQ and remove allergens, bacte-ria and chemical residues that can build up in the carpet. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), carpet that is maintained in a clean, dry condition does not support or cause mold growth. With the potential to improve employee retention and decrease illness-based absenteeism, plus the value of a healthier work environment, a regular carpet mainte-nance plan can be the key to improving productivity. Additionally, utilizing a regular carpet main-tenance program can prolong the life of your investment by several years, keeping materi-als out of landfills — a sustainable move for your operation and the environment. When it comes to looking at ways to become more sustainable, it is important to consider your carpet maintenance system as a way to reduce water and energy con-sumption. Not only can it help the environment in the long run, but it can save you money. CM Circle Product Information no. 202 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 31
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