Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Green Cleaning?
A: Green Cleaning simply means cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. A Green Cleaning program goes beyond chemical and equipment choices. It includes policies, procedures, training and shared responsibility efforts that minimize the impact of cleaning materials on the health of building occupants and protect the environment as a whole.
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Q: Does Green Cleaning really make a difference?
A: How buildings are cleaned and the products that are used can significantly impact the health and performance of building occupants and cleaning staff. Choices in cleaning products, equipment and procedures also dramatically impact the lifespan of building materials and furnishings while preserving the environment.
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Q: What does Green Cleaning cost?
A: Developing and implementing a Green Cleaning Program does not have to be expensive or overwhelming. There are dozens of manufacturers who offer ³certified² green cleaning chemicals that work well and are cost-competitive compared to traditional products. Any additional cost is offset by other factors, such as increased worker safety, superior performance, higher worker morale and productivity, reduced absenteeism and improved air quality.
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Q: What kind of time and training is required?
A: The amount and type of training will depend on your situation. There are many sources for training, including vendors and consultants who specialize in Green Cleaning. It is important to stress that training is not a criticism of previous practices, but an effort to find better, more healthful ways to clean that benefit everyone, including custodial staff.
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Q: Do I need more staff or space?
A: It takes no additional staff to implement a green cleaning program. Green Cleaning may be able to improve the productivity of current staff, giving them more time to devote to other necessary maintenance tasks. In terms of space, all you need is a file cabinet to keep documents and a place for interested individuals to work with it.
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Q: Who needs to be involved?
A: Green Cleaning programs are most successful when you have the input and commitment of many stakeholders, including building management, occupants, visitors and vendors. Communication is critical throughout the process so everyone understands how they contribute to the programıs success.
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Q: How will I know if itıs working?
A: To successfully implement Green Cleaning program, start small and expand with success, which can be measured in many ways for instance tracking the number of toxic chemicals eliminated, calculating cost and purchasing efficiencies, identifying how risks have been reduced or avoided, or even measuring occupants and cleaning staff satisfaction. The important thing is to determine from the beginning how you plan to evaluate the program and set up a practical way to capture the data.
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