Eco-friendly Cleaning (also called Green Cleaning)
The term “eco-cleaning” refers to a cleaning service that is environmentally conscious. This has a broad meaning, but can be defined as using eco-friendly cleaning chemicals and products to deliver the service. Brilliant Office Cleaning’s environmental policy is certified to ISO14001. This standard is not a mandatory requirement, however, it provides guidance on how to effectively deliver an environmentally friendly cleaning service. Our cleaning standards are primarily focused on achieving this aim. The definition of “eco-cleaning” is applicable to both commercial and domestic cleaning.
The importance of Green cleaning
Green cleaning is important for all types of cleaning work, however, it becomes crucial with regular cleaning services, such as office cleaning, childcare cleaning, etc., where people will be using the facility a few hours after the cleaning. Using toxic chemicals to clean a public facility would be dangerous, but less so with other services such as a once-off builders clean.
The world is now sensitive to the effect that pollution has on people, animals and plants. Green cleaning significantly reduces environment pollution. In other words, the eco-friendly cleaning significantly contributes to Green polices that many countries have implemented and are planning to implement.
Using Safe Chemicals and Products for Eco-friendly Cleaning
Careful selection of chemicals and cleaning products is crucial in order to offer an eco-friendly service. As a responsible cleaning company, Brilliant Office Cleaning is very careful when selecting detergents and cleaning products.
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Selecting Cleaning Chemicals for Green Cleaning
As discussed above, cleaning chemicals should be environmentally friendly in order to qualify as being echo-friendly. As such these products must have the following qualities:
- Free of phosphorous
- Must not contain chlorinates
- Primarily intended to kill the germs and bacteria
- Contain no harmful chemical compounds
- The package material must be recyclable
Selecting Green Cleaning Materials
Similar to detergents and chemicals, selecting the correct products also plays a significant role in order for the service to be classified as eco-friendly. To qualify as Green, cleaning products must meet the following criteria:
- The product must be recyclable. For example, a plastic brush used to clean a basin would not be classified as Green if the plastic is not recyclable. However, a timber brush with natural coconut fibres would be recyclable, and therefore Green.
- Cleaning equipment must be energy efficient.
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Safe Waste Management
This is an area neglected by many cleaning companies. The safe disposal of waste is also an essential element in an effective Green cleaning process. The safe management of waste falls into two main categories: Safe rubbish collection and safe disposal of rubbish.
Safe Rubbish Collection
Brilliant Office Cleaning staff are trained in the correct collection of rubbish. This process requires at least three separate collection points for each of the following types of rubbish:
- General rubbish
- Recyclable rubbish
- Organic waste such as ground coffee (sometimes called compost waste)
- Biological waste
These bins must be placed in various locations within the premises, such as kitchens, office areas, meeting rooms etc.
In addition, it is good practice to clean the lids of each bin. Keeping the outside surfaces of the bins clean is also important. We disinfect these surfaces on a regular basis to prevent the distribution of germs.
Safe Disposal of Rubbish
The safe disposal of rubbish is also an essential element in an effective, eco-friendly cleaning service. There are several factors to consider when disposing rubbish.
Disposing of Biological Waste such as Sanitary Waste
This rubbish needs to be disposed of per the guidelines provided by the Health Authorities in the respective geographical location. Generally, companies that specialise in biological waste disposal are engaged to dispose of this waste. Brilliant Office Cleaning has locked-in affordable prices with biological waste disposal companies, and we organise everything for our clients.
It should be noted that it is a regulatory requirement to keep biological waste separate, and mark it as such with biological waste labels.
Disposal of General, Recyclable and Organic Rubbish
The standard practice is for businesses to engage a third-party company to manage the disposal of general, recyclable and organic waste. These waste management companies have guidelines and facilities to correctly process and dispose of the waste, and also provide separate skip bins for general, recyclable and organic rubbish. The following points are important when disposing of rubbish:
- Plastic garbage bags are not recyclable. Therefore, the cleaning team must use only recyclable containers for waste that is placed in the recycle skip bins.
- Companies should create staff awareness of the need to place general, recyclable and organic waste in the appropriate bins provided inside the premises.
- The cleaning company should advise cleaners to place the rubbish collected from the internal bins into the correct skip bin. Waste disposal is an important training module of Brilliant Office Cleaning’s training program.
The effect of non-eco-friendly cleaning
Non-Green cleaning can severely impact people, plants, animals, the air, etc., some of which can severely affect the day-to-day life of staff and visitors. These harmful impacts include:
- Skin irritation or even skin cancer due to toxic cleaning chemicals and products
- Lung diseases or lung cancers
- Water pollution due to incorrect waste disposal
- Air pollution if toxic chemicals are used
Advantages of Eco-Friendly Cleaning
- Healthy and safe work environment for staff and visitors
- Prevents illness due to non-toxic cleaning chemicals
- Protects the environment
- Can have a positive impact on the business premises
Disadvantages of Eco-Friendly cleaning
- The products are not as aggressive as toxic chemicals, and require relatively more time and effort to remove the dirt and stains.
- Cleaners require substantially more training in order to provide an eco-friendly cleaning service.
Frequently asked questions
Are Green cleaning services more expensive?
No. Green cleaning is not more expensive, and in some cases will actually reduce the overall cost of the service.
Is eco-friendly cleaning a mandatory requirement?
There are no regulations that require businesses to have only eco-friendly cleaning. However, as outlined above, there are number of reasons for companies to choose Green cleaning.
How to check that cleaning chemicals and products are non-toxic?
There are a number of ways to check whether cleaning chemicals and products are eco-friendly. The best way is to read the manufacturers guide. For cleaning chemicals, the material safety data sheets will provide this information.
How do we build awareness for our internal staff to implement Green cleaning?
Staff training will help to create this awareness. Further, depending on the nature of the business, Brilliant Office Cleaning can assist in providing staff with specific guidelines.