It might seem that green cleaning is an obvious choice for all building owners, occupants and everyone in the building services industry. So, why isn’t everyone rushing to it like a new soft drink? Is the approach being taken to encourage its adoption too small? It may be time for a broader perspective on the benefits of green cleaning.

Could green cleaning on a large scale add value to our quality-of-life programs and help promote environmental responsibility? A similar large-scale effort, recycling, already has. The widespread use of non-biodegradable plastics sounded alarms and led to recycling to reduce accumulations in landfills; now, most businesses and many individuals recycle not only their plastics but their paper, cans and glass as a matter of course. Perhaps the continued use of toxic cleaning chemicals in homes and business can be used as a similar wake-up call.

For instance, one major impact of green cleaning is the reduction of toxic chemicals in the wastewater system, which in turn protects watersheds and waterways from pollution. But existing environmental programs protecting water systems in cities throughout the country tend to focus on household chemicals, rather than commercial cleaning.

My informal survey of 10 major cities in the United States revealed support for green cleaning in homes, but not in commercial buildings. I found that cities had programs to prevent oil and household chemicals from entering the storm-drain system; the cities got buy-in by homeowners by explaining the relationship between wastewater pollution and health. But there was no connection between these household-level actions and green cleaning in and by businesses, which also would reduce chemical contamination of the wastewater system and surrounding waterways.

The reduction in pollution from wastewater from one building might not make a big difference for the environment, but it could get the ball rolling toward the widespread acceptance of green cleaning. Recycling was not a significant contributor to solid waste reduction until campaigns and mandatory programs began demonstrating the value in reduced disposal costs and need for additional landfills. Now recycling is encouraged in homes and businesses across the country. The same could be said for green cleaning; we just need more support.

How can building service contractors help? They can take the lead in their marketing and even lobbying strategies. The cleaning industry should adopt similar marketing strategies of other environmental programs with a combination of large-scale public awareness campaigns and legislated programs that encourage broader adoption.

Joe Jimenez is a principal with Jimenez & Associates in Seattle. He has more than 15 years experience as a public affairs counselor and risk communicator.




POSTED ON: 8/1/2005