Over the past years, I have written many articles encouraging and imploring both sales and facility folks to participate in Earth Day, which as I’m sure you know is on April 22nd. In years past, far too often our role was limited to setting-up and then cleaning-up after the events, and we frequently missed the opportunity to actually participate and proudly let people know about our contributions.

For those of you who have customers who have implemented Green Cleaning programs, I hope you will help them use this year’s Earth Day Celebration to explain just how big the annual impacts are from the commercial and institutional cleaning industry:
• 8 billion pounds of cleaning chemicals most of which are made from nonrenewable natural resources (e.g. petroleum),
• 4.5 billion pounds of janitorial paper products which require the cutting of approximately 25 million trees, and
• 1 billion pounds of janitorial equipment that is disposed each year enough to fill 40,000 garbage trucks clogging our landfills. Let everyone know that you’re Green Cleaning program is contributing to meaningful reductions in negative health and environmental impacts. Plus, use the opportunity to tell them what they can do to make even greater progress in the year to come.

In addition to just providing basic educational information to your customer, you can still help them prepare for Earth Day with the following last minute suggestions.

First, take a look at the materials that your company or you suppliers can offer. Some companies offer terrific resources that can help your customers such as giveaways, informational materials and even small samples of your Green products. Some are really simple like book marks about Earth Day. And I have found that building occupants really like microfiber cloths, small entry mats or other cleaning products, which you can offer as a “raffle”, drawing or door prize meaning you don’t have to give hundreds away to make your point.

Another opportunity is through the National Environmental Education Foundation who sponsors National Environmental Education Week which takes place from April 13th through 19th, 2008.

This year’s National Environmental Education Week will focus on a special Carbon Footprints theme. Participants will have access to a wide variety of FREE environmental education resources, including:
• Standards-based environmental education lessons and activities, including special Climate Change Educational Resources developed by the Earth Day Network and an online Student Carbon Calculator;
• Monthly electronic newsletters highlighting the latest curricula, professional development, and funding opportunities;
• Opportunities for online communication and knowledge-sharing with educators from across the country, including a special photo blog.

The link to their environmental health curricula is available at http://www.eeweek.org/resources/environmental_health_curricula.htm. And a list of sample activities are available at www.eeweek.org/involved/index.htm.

Some of the specific Green Cleaning opportunities that they highlight include:
• Lutherville Laboratory for Science, Mathematics and Communications (Elementary School) in Lutherville, Maryland who will be making a “green” detergent that students may take home as a household cleaner. www.bcps.org.
• Greener Learning Foundation in Naples, Florida who is planning a "Ban the Bag" campaign. Students will use critical thinking and develop specific positive solutions for the disposable garbage bag pollution issue. Chosen students will be rewarded with savings bonds and will present their ideas throughout the community. www.greenerlearning.org.
• Williamstown Middle School Community of Caring Gardens (Middle School) in Williamstown, New Jersey who will prepare an educational exhibit on recycling and preventing non-point source pollution to be presented at the school's spring craft fair. www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us.

You and your company can join National Environmental Education Week’s efforts, promote environmental learning, and gain national exposure for your work by registering today at www.EEWeek.org/register.htm. For more questions you can email EEWeek@neefusa.org or call them at 202-261-6484.

Have a great Earth Day and National Environmental Education Week. Not only can you help your customers have a more successful event, but together we really can make a difference.

 

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