Untangle the thicket of Green Cleaning Claims - JANITORIAL
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JANITORIAL Untangle the thicket of Green Cleaning Claims
Everyone claims to have green cleaning
programs... but is your facility really being
green cleaned?
QA What Is Green Cleaning?
.
Green Cleaning is cleaning to
protect health without harming
the environment. Green cleaning involves
and people than traditional commercial cleaning
products. They also use different equipment and
cleaning methods to further reduce allergens and
the use of alternative products, applying those dust from the air.
products in different ways and evaluating and/or
A comprehensive green cleaning program
changing behaviors to reduce health and safety
requires a change in habit from the top-down at
risks while meeting the cleaning, disinfection,
companies, from introducing recycling programs
maintenance, and sanitation needs of a facility.
to switching to plastic garbage bags and paper
Superior green cleaning services use cleaning products that create less waste. Green cleaning
products that are less harmful to the environment also reduces our carbon footprint on the planet.
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QA How Does Green Cleaning Work?
.
Environmentally preferable
cleaning works in two ways.
First, it relies on cleaning chemicals that do not
microfiber dust mops, that is more effective at
gathering dirt, soil, and other particulate matter.
By utilizing safer cleaning chemicals and modern
contain many of the highly toxic constituents equipment, “green” cleaning releases fewer
that are common in cleaning products. Second, harmful particulates and toxic substances into the
it employs advanced technology, such as environment.
QA Do Green Products Clean As Well?
.
.YES! As green cleaning
becomes an important news
topic, more and more research and substantive
evidence becomes available all the time to
support the fact that green cleaning products
sanitize and kill bacteria as well as traditional
janitorial products. Unlike traditional products,
they won’t harm the indoor air quality, leading to
health problems among employees, customers
and other visitors to your building.
What is the smell of a clean facility? A clean
facility should smell like nothing at all. Just
because you may not be able to smell cleaning
products in your facility after a green cleaning,
doesn’t mean your facility isn’t clean. Green
cleaning products are just as effective as
conventional cleaning products, research has
proven. In fact, the fragrances and chemicals in
the conventional cleaning products can actually
be harmful to your health!
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QA Why Is Green Cleaning Important?
.
Health and the Environment.
A growing body of evidence links
certain chemicals in cleaning products to health
estimated that as many as 30% of office workers
experience health problems from unhealthy air in
buildings, also known as Sick Building Syndrome.
problems ranging from asthma and allergies, to Switching to green cleaners can greatly reduce
attention disorders and even cancer. health problems and related costs.
Some cleaning products contain cancer-causing Implementing green cleaning solutions also
carcinogens and other chemicals that have supports environmental activities that help
been linked to reproductive organ damage, reduce the large amounts of energy and water
birth defects, kidney damage and neurological that buildings consume. According to the U.S.
problems. Many commercial products contain Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of the
high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) energy and 74% of the electricity produced each
which can lead to headaches, breathing problems, year in the United States. Corporations going green
and other symptoms in building occupants. help decrease atmospheric emission from the use
Cleaning products are also a major contributor to of energy, thereby reducing acid rain, ground-level
the poor air quality inside buildings. The EPA has ozone, smog and global climate change.
QA Why Are Green Cleaning Processes, Procedures And
Equipment So Important?
.
Green cleaning isn’t just about
switching out traditional
soil from contaminating surfaces, thus reducing
the amount of chemicals required for cleaning.
chemicals for “green” chemicals. It’s also about
processes, procedures, equipment and training.
The greenest chemical in the world isn’t very
green if it’s over-used. Even better than using
green chemicals alone is also finding ways to
reduce overall chemical use, such as stopping dirt
before it gets into the building (by putting proper
mats at doorways).
High-performance equipment is an important
component of environmentally preferable
cleaning because these tools — such as HEPA
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mop buckets — are designed to prevent dirt and
QA What Green Cleaning Standards Already Exist?
Several reputable standard-setting organizations have already developed
.
voluntary standards and guidance for agencies, companies and
other organizations that want to adopt green cleaning practices.
• Green Seal ™ is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the
environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible
consumer products and services. Visit www.greenseal.org for a description of Green
Seal and its certification process.
• The EPA has published guidelines and a database of resources for Environmentally
Preferable Purchasing (EPP). Visit http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/products/cleaning.htm
for more information.
• The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has issued guidance on
procedures for developing a green cleaning program.
• The “Standard Guide for Stewardship for the Cleaning of Commercial and Institutional
Buildings” (ASTM E-1971) was issued in 1998 to help commercial and institutional
buildings adopt green cleaning programs and practices.
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Q What Are The Federal Guidelines For Green Cleaning
Product Labels?
A. When it comes to products
and packaging, what do claims
like “environmentally safe,” “recyclable,”
without actually being better for health or the
environment. The FTC, in cooperation with the
EPA, has developed guidelines for advertisers
degradable” or “ozone friendly” really mean? to ensure that their environmental marketing
“Green” is a non-regulated, generic term that claims don’t mislead consumers. The EPA website
is promoted to the general public as meaning (www.epa.gov) will help you evaluate and define
“safer for the environment.” But because there specific green label information such as post-
is no officially sanctioned definition of “green”, consumer, non-toxic and CFC-free.
many products use the term in their title
QA Does Green Cleaning
Cost More?
.
The Dollars and Sense of
Green Cleaning Programs.
Implementing a green cleaning program costs
the same, or in some cases, green cleaning
services are even less expensive than traditional
janitorial services. So to gain a competitive
advantage, improve efficiency and provide
a cleaner and healthier work environment,
companies need to move quickly to adopt
sustainability practices and green goals.
In addition, costs are minimized through
environmentally conscious operations. An
environmentally responsible company will use
fewer resources to complete the same amount of
work, lessening costs and increasing profit. Tax
benefits are available for LEED certified buildings.
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Janitorial Services • Facilities Maintenance &
Management • www.pmmcompanies.com
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Green Cleaning Program— Use of Green Cleaning Chemicals and Products
Committed to Providing a Healthy, PMM is committed to purchasing and using cleaning products that are
Sustainable Environment Today and designed to minimize the negative impact on public health and the
For Future Generations environment. All products and chemicals either meet or exceed the EPA’s
published guidelines or have been certified as environmentally preferable
PMM is committed to providing property and
by leading independent organizations such as Green Seal™.
building management with the most environmen-
tally responsible cleaning and facility maintenance Use of Effective Janitorial Equipment
solutions. PMM’s Green Cleaning Program means
combining certified chemicals, tools, equipment, All of PMM’s staff has been trained in green standards, products and
training and processes to reduce the environmental product implementation from the Building Wellness Institute.
footprint for future generations and create a healthy Color-coded micro-fiber dusting cloths and flat mops are used to collect
work environment for all your occupants. dust and dirt. A self-contained Bucketless Mopping System dispenses
cleaning fluid directly from the reservoir, and is designed to use fewer
Whether you’ve become an expert on cleaning
chemicals and uses only 10% of water required by conventional mopping
green or are just wondering where to begin, PMM
methods. HEPA Filter Backpack vacuums are used to remove 99.9% of
can help. We also understand implementing a
the dirt and allergens from flooring and surfaces. Hands-free paper towel
successful green program is a process that involves
dispensers minimize waste and prevent cross-contamination.
a team approach between facility management
and PMM. Successful implementation requires the Basic Procedures of Green Cleaning Program
participation and understanding of everyone who
PMM’s Green Cleaning procedures are initially focused on preventative
occupies, maintains and cleans a facility.
measures. An important goal is to trap and remove dirt and pollutants
PMM stands ready to implement our proven Green before they enter the building and prevent cross-contamination.
Cleaning Program at your facility. PMM is GS-42
In addition, particles and chemicals in the air are minimized mechanically
Green Seal™ Certified and proud to state that 100%
by capturing dust and dirt, using course spray for chemicals and applying
of our buildings are utilizing green cleaning policies
the cleaner to the cloth rather than spraying the surface to be cleaned. A
and procedures. Whether you are working toward
chemical management system accurately dilutes the product. Vacuum bags
LEED certification or merely want to promote a
are emptied at the end of each shift plus we focus on touch-points such as
healthy, green cleaning program, PMM can deliver doorknobs and fixtures. Restroom disinfectant is applied properly to ensure
the service that meets your needs and expectations. dwell time, so soil is thoroughly removed and fewer products used.
PMM also takes a broader approach to sustainability
and the environment and offers other “green” Quality Assurance and Other Considerations
maintenance services that go beyond cleaning The PMM Green Cleaning Program understands that keeping your green
green. PMM can assist you in implementing an ef- program cutting edge requires room for evaluation, change and growth.
fective recycling program, installing touchless water “Green” is in a constant state of improvement and a key part of any green
conservation equipment, reducing harmful sewage program needs to be the evaluation and implementation of newer
and guide you toward more energy-efficient HVAC products, equipment, technology and procedures.
systems. Just ask us!
PMM Green Cleaning Program Partners Third Party Partners
Corporate Office
15938 Derwood Road
Rockville, MD 20855
Phone: 301-258-9151
Mlustig@pmmcompanies.com
Baltimore
3811 Fear Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410-367-1700
Mlustig@pmmcompanies.com
Washington DC
1341 G Street, NW
Suite L 130
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 1-800-254-4PMM
Mlustig@pmmcompanies.com
Florida
433 Plaza Real, Suite 275
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone: 561-962-3682
Mlustig@pmmcompanies.com
PMM COMPANIES www.pmmcompanies.com
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