Just like an old locomotive train that takes off slowly then picks up speed overtime, green cleaning is picking up speed and becoming more and more accepted within the cleaning industry and outside the marketplace. Similarly to CFCs, toxic and harmful cleaning chemicals will become something of the past, as manufacturers bend to the global pressures to produce environmentally friendly chemicals. There are certain best practices that will emerged from implementing a green cleaning program.

Green cleaning is a system that employs both green chemicals and green equipment. However, a successful green cleaning program is not just a matter of having the right cleaning products. We must remember there is a great deal of marketing that has gone into the promotion of many of these pretty looking, sweet smelling and dangerous to health cleaning chemicals existing on the market. Many people have become used to using these chemicals over a sustain period and will not just give them up easily. Therefore achieving buy-in by all stakeholders is critically important.

There are experts on the market that have offered advice on the subject and the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA) offers certification in Green Cleaning https://www.ijcsa.org/Green-Certification-Course . The way I plan to implement green cleaning into my business will follow the following procedures:

Conduct a baseline audit – I will conduct a baseline audit to determine how much of the harmful chemicals I have in stock and how to treat with the disposal of these chemicals. Secondly, I will secure suppliers of green cleaning chemicals and determine what are the best green cleaning products on the market. I might even mix my own green cleaning products. Thirdly, I will ensure to formulate green cleaning procedures. Procedures and guideline ensure products are used safely and securely to promote good health and safety. Fourthly I will conduct training workshops to educate staff and other stakeholders on the benefits of green cleaning. With IJCSA’s green certification in hand, I will market and promote my business as “Green” and “Environmental Friendly” on as many platforms as possible.