When Budget Cuts Are Demanded;
Green Cleaning May Be The Answer
By Steve Ashkin

In any economic downturn there is always enormous pressure to reduce expenses. And for those who have been working in facility management for any length of time have probably experienced economic downturns before. From my experience, cleaning often shouldered a greater burden then many departments because it was often considered less essential to the institution’s core educational mission.

Unfortunately how these cuts affected building occupants including students, staff and visitors, furnishings and the building itself were often overlooked. While many things can be deferred for a short period of time without notice, but when there are cuts in cleaning --- occupants notice.

However this article isn’t written to help argue the importance of cleaning which has been documented to improve student performance and reduce absenteeism --- although if this information would be helpful we would be happy to provide it.

Rather this article is intended to serve a different purpose as budget cuts may be required. Like it or not, changes are going to be implemented and change is hard. Unfortunately from the occupant’s perspective, change is often seen as a negative. As a result, when cleaning frequencies are reduced we typically can anticipate an increase in occupant complaints.

Thus if change has to take place and if we anticipate a potential increase in occupant complaints, then let’s use this as an opportunity to do something good ---- when served lemons, let’s make lemonade. Maybe, just maybe some of the complaints can be avoided.

One such opportunity is to implement a Green Cleaning program or look for opportunities to upgrade an existing one. Some opportunities to consider include:

    • Reevaluate products: Cleaning chemicals, janitorial equipment, toilet tissue and paper hand towels, plastic trashcan liners, entry mats, and other cleaning products can be reevaluated to not only reduce costs but to further reduce the health and environmental impacts. And microfiber products and steam vapor can reduce chemical consumption and save money.

    • Product efficiencies: New dispensing equipment can reduce chemical use by 50 percent or more. Switch from multifold paper towels to large rolls which can reduce paper consumption by 30 percent to can reduce costs. And improving paper quality can actually reduce consumption as less product is needed to do the job.

    • New technologies: Consider new technologies such as automatic floor scrubbing and carpet maintenance equipment using electrolyzed water which eliminate cleaning chemicals altogether. And new floor pad have been introduced that remove floor finish without floor stripping chemicals. These new technologies reduce environmental impacts and can save money.

    • Procedures: Reevaluate the overall cleaning process and implement improved systems. After all, approximately 70 to 80 percent of the budget is related to labor so instead of just reducing head-count, identify how all the new products, efficiencies and technologies can come together to meet budget requirements, while also meeting health, performance, appearance --- and of course “green” requirements.

Please keep in mind that this article is not just about reduce costs during hard economic times. The real value of implementing Green Cleaning at this time is the proverbial “killing two birds with one stone” and my apology to bird lovers.

Since change is hard, combining budget reductions with a switch to Green Cleaning allows for two things to be accomplished at once. But perhaps more importantly, switching to Green Cleaning at this time gives the occupants something to be positive about. And during a period when we might anticipate an increase in occupant complaints, Green Cleaning is one of the best proactive strategies and a true win-win.

Good selling,

Steve

 

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