A Green Business Opportunity
Everyday more and more information is being provided regarding Green Cleaning programs. I have had the opportunity to conduct several Green Cleaning workshops for distributors and building service contractors. One of the first comments made by bsc’s is
“My customers are barely willing to pay for regular janitorial service; there is no way that I will be able to get them to pay more for a green cleaning program”. I am sure that many of you might be thinking the same thought. My response is; that may have been true in the past, but it is possible for you to offer the program at a cost neutral price. Let me explain.
Benefits of Green Cleaning
When we talk about Green Cleaning we are talking about a cleaning process that many of you are already on the way to doing. It is a cleaning process that provides:
A safer work environment for the Janitorial Staff
n
Health
n
Workman’s Comp
n
Turnover
n
Recruiting
n
Hiring
n
Training
n
Impact on service
n 3 Million custodians
A healthier work environment for the Building Occupants
n
Building Tenants/Occupants
n
Productivity
n
Litigation
n
Marketing
A positive impact on the Environment
n
6 Billion pounds of Chemicals
n
4.5 Billion pounds of Paper
n
35 billion Plastic Liners
n
Equipment
These benefits can be used in presenting a cleaning for health program.
Green Can Be Cost Neutral
How is it possible for a specialized cleaning program to be cost neutral? First of all contractors today are very aware of the need to have some type of risk management program. We all have come to realize the importance of being proactive when it comes to being safe on our job sites. Most if not all contractors are using safer products and making sure that their janitors receiving some type of safety training.
Because of this awareness, the transition to a Green Cleaning program is not a complete reengineering, but more of a tune-up of your present operation. If you are providing your customers with a cleaning program that provides a superior quality of cleaning, the transition to clean is not difficult. To be able to go to your customer to inform them of the benefits they will receive from a Green Cleaning Program demonstrates to them that you take an interest in them, beyond emptying trash and cleaning the restroom. Keep in mind that most of your customers now have Risk Managers, Environmental Managers, and many have written Environmental Programs.
Marketing Green
Markets:
Schools
n
Focus on Kids
n
Student
Performance
n
Improvements on
Standardized Tests
n
Creating a
better learning environment
n
Declining
budgets – tie to education
n
Influencers
n
EPA Tools
for Schools
n
PTA/PTO
n
Healthy Schools
Organizations
n
Unions – NEA
& AFT
Health Care
n
Focus on
“Healthcare Without Harm”
n
Critical,
Semi-Critical & Non-Critical Cleaning
n
Hazardous
waste, mercury, recycling
n
Declining
budgets – tie to health outcomes
n
Influencers
n
Health Care
Without Harm
n
Hospitals for a
Healthy Environment
n
IEHA, ASHES,
EPA
n Other
Hospitality
n
Focus on
“green” and upscale facilities
n
Issues
n
IAQ (i.e.
fragrances)
n
Residential
Issues (i.e. dust mites)
n
Laundry & Ware
washing
n
Cost
n
Products
n
Procedures
n
Marketing
n
Influencers
n
Green Hotel
Association
n
Green Seal
n
EPA
Commercial Buildings
n
Focus on
“Green” buildings
n
Public
buildings (longevity)
n
Vulnerable
occupants
n
High profile
and Mission
n
Cost
n
Products
n
Procedures
n
Declining
budgets – tie to:
n
Better
productivity
n
Improved health
n
Reduced
liability
n
Influencers
n
USGBC
n
EPA
Keep in mind that a Green Cleaning Program can also bring in additional revenue by participation in a Recycling Program. Carpet mats, and partnering with Pest control, HVAC, and landscaping companies.