Starting A Green Cleaning Program

It's surprising that some building service contractors don't buy any green products. What's the easiest way to start?

Try the “green” offerings from their current preferred supplier or distributor. If the products come from a brand they already use and trust, hopefully the green products they offer won’t disappoint. They many need to try a few options for a particular product before finding one that works for their staff and sites.
— Linda Chipperfield, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Green Seal, Washington D.C.


I suggest first they need to understand the why – why go certified green – and that is for the improvement of health and safety of their staff and the occupants and visitors of the facilities they clean. With this understanding, they should be motivated to change. I cannot see someone with this knowledge not wanting to improve health and safety.

Then they should survey their employees and customers and ask them if any product currently being used is causing any concerns (eye irritations, skin rashes, breathing issues, headaches, etc.); and conduct an inventory of currently used products and carefully review their SDS and labels.

Based on any issues raised by employees or customers, and by reading the SDS and labels of the current products, look to replace the products of concern. Then work with their local distributors. Ask for product recommendations of products certified by ECOLOGO or Green Seal, and then have them tested for performance by their cleaning staff at their facilities to ensure they work as well or better for their circumstances, eliminate the issues, and are proven safer for people and planet.

Also, ask the distributors about their training programs and innovations that can assist the efficacy or efficiency of their overall cleaning operations. Make the change in one area, and then over time, all the areas. Repeat the process and over time all routine cleaning products should be certified by ECOLOGO or Green Seal, and the impact on the health of their people and customers positively impacted.
— Mike Sawchuk, Commercial Sector Business Manager, UL Environment, Marietta, Georgia


LEED requires green cleaning in office buildings. But aside from earning LEED, what are some reasons for green cleaning these facilities?

The main reason is still people. We want these facilities to be hygienic and healthy for cleaning staff, tenants, and visitors, and green cleaning accomplishes that goal while also reducing potentially harmful exposures and environmental impacts.
— Linda Chipperfield, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Green Seal, Washington D.C.


For human health and safety. Green-certified products by ECOLOGO or Green Seal are proven safer for people – not just the users but all occupants and visitors of the buildings being cleaned. This is in addition to being more sustainable for the environment. Lastly, they may be safer for the assets being cleaned if they are replacing harsh products. It is the right thing to do.
— Mike Sawchuk, Commercial Sector Business Manager, UL Environment, Marietta, Georgia