If you’re trying to improve your facility’s sustainability efforts, implementing a green cleaning program is a great place to start. Green cleaning programs help businesses create a healthier workplace and reduce their environmental impact while promoting a great image. Here are some tips for creating a green cleaning program for your facility: 

Assess Your Current Cleaning Program

The first step in implementing a green cleaning program is to assess your current cleaning program. Take some time to identify the types of products you use and the quantity. Determine how quickly you run out of cleaning products and how often you have to restock. Consider whether you order more products than your facility uses, resulting in increased costs, carbon emissions from transport and excess inventory. This is also a good time to assess your cleaning schedules and protocols. If they’re outdated, inefficient or don’t contribute to your sustainability goals, it’s time to make some adjustments.

Identify Your Facility’s Needs

As you assess your current cleaning program, think about your facility’s cleaning needs. Every facility has different cleaning needs based on size, surfaces and the operations that take place. For example, an industrial manufacturing plant will have completely different cleaning needs from a commercial office. 

Consider factors like the size of your facility, the type of flooring it has and the needs that must be met when implementing a green cleaning program. Ask yourself questions like:

• How large is the facility?
• Does the facility see a lot of foot traffic?
• What types of flooring need to be cared for?
• Is food safety a consideration?
• Is there a buildup of dust, grease, grime or other substances daily?

Choose Eco-Friendly Products

Once you’ve assessed your current cleaning program and identified your facility’s cleaning needs, move on to choosing products that will meet those needs and help you achieve your sustainability goals. Avoid using harsh chemicals, cleaners and sanitizers, as they can be harmful to the environment and co-worker health. Instead, opt for eco-friendly cleaning products, which are less harmful to the planet and contribute to better air quality and an overall healthier work environment. Choose concentrated green cleaning products that are designed to be diluted with water. Concentrated products reduce the need to restock as frequently, contributing to less packaging waste and fewer carbon emissions. Plus, eco-friendly cleaning products are often packaged in recyclable materials, further helping to reduce waste.

Equip Your Facility with the Right Tools and Equipment

Now that you’ve chosen the right eco-friendly products for your facility, it’s time to equip your janitorial staff with the proper tools and equipment to use them. Keep mops, brooms, dusters and microfiber cloths on hand, as well as janitorial carts to transport supplies throughout your facility. Opt for reusable cleaning tools that don’t need frequent replacement. For example, instead of cleaning with disposable paper towels or wipes, make sure your staff uses washable cloths or rags. This reduces how often you have to reorder supplies and minimizes waste. This is also a good time to ensure your facility’s floor care equipment is in good condition. Make sure you have the right vacuums, sweepers, scrubbers and buffers for the size of your facility and its floor type.

Establish a Schedule and Train Your Team

Once your facility is equipped with green cleaning products and the proper equipment, establish a cleaning schedule. Outline areas and surfaces that should be cleaned daily, weekly and monthly. Put the updated schedule and green cleaning protocols on a board and hang it in a staff area where your team can easily refer to it. Be sure to properly train your staff on sustainable cleaning practices. Educate them on how to reduce product and packaging waste, as well as on how to conserve water while cleaning. Implementing and training your team on a recycling program is also helpful for controlling how much of your facility’s waste ends up in landfills.

Veritiv Pollock helps business owners keep their facilities clean and meet their sustainability goals by supplying eco-friendly cleaning products, tools and equipment from our extensive catalog. We are a single-source supplier that provides the solutions and guidance businesses need to effectively implement green cleaning programs. Contact us online to get started!