| Companies and businesses across the country are | | | | building takes to lessen the cleaning's impact on the |
| becoming more environmentally conscious and many | | | | environment. This is an important area as it is |
| are starting to adopt LEED standards and protocols. | | | | estimated that six billion pounds of commercial |
| LEED stands for Leadership in Environmental Design. | | | | cleaning products are used throughout buildings in the |
| The US Green Building Council, a nonprofit | | | | United States each year. In addition, commercial |
| organization, which is working to promote buildings | | | | buildings use over 4 million pounds of hand towels and |
| that are environmentally responsible, launched the | | | | toilet tissue and 30 million trash bags each year. |
| LEED rating system. The overall goal of the program | | | | Some cleaning products contain volatile organic |
| is to make the places we live in and work at become | | | | compounds (VOCs) which contribute to indoor air |
| healthier environments. There are two classifications | | | | pollution. Cleaning products can also leave residue that |
| for LEED; one for existing buildings - LEED-EB and | | | | causes eye and skin irritation. This is irritating not only |
| one for new construction - LEED-NC. | | | | to janitorial workers, but also to the building's |
| As cleaning companies it's no longer enough to just | | | | occupants. Using safer, less toxic cleaning products |
| supply good cleaning services to your customers. | | | | can lead to a healthier building and higher worker |
| Cleaning companies need to be aware of this growing | | | | productivity. |
| trend towards becoming LEED certified. One | | | | A building owner who wants to become LEED |
| important aspect of becoming LEED certified is | | | | certified will look closely at their janitorial services. |
| integrating green cleaning into a building's overall | | | | Integrating green cleaning practices into your business |
| janitorial services and practices. | | | | also means looking for environmentally preferable |
| To achieve LEED recognition, a building needs to have | | | | cleaning products. Labels on cleaning products can be |
| a thorough evaluation, rating and certification | | | | confusing. One way to make sure you are buying |
| program. The process uses a checklist which | | | | environmentally sound products is to buy products |
| evaluates many items including: the building's power | | | | that are "Green Seal" certified. Green Seal is a |
| use, its waste management program, the products | | | | nonprofit organization that promotes products and |
| used to clean the building, and even the storage of | | | | services that cause less pollution and waste, |
| those cleaning products. | | | | conserves resources and habitats, and reduces global |
| One portion of the LEED criteria looks at the steps a | | | | warming. |