Not There Yet? Four Reasons Why Cleaning Green is the Right Thing For Your Company

July 10th, 2013 • BY

Not There Yet?
Four reasons why cleaning green is the right thing for your company By Erinn Morgan
If you’re like most commercial establishments in the U.S., you’re still cleaning the traditional—and often toxic–way. However, if you’re looking at this website, that means you are at least considering going green.

So, the key question is: Why clean green? Is it worth the trouble of changing the way you work?

The answer is a resounding, “Yes.” And here are four of the critical reasons to commit to delivering healthier, safer, and more efficient cleaning practices in your business or institution:

1. Because cleaning green is healthy.

According to the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution ranks among the top five environmental risks to public health. This problem, generally caused by conventional cleaning products, is serious, especially when you consider that Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors. The list of cleaning products’ effects is a long one—ranging from headaches, nausea, and memory loss to long-term problems like hormone disruption plus liver and kidney damage. A wealth of research has also backed up the need for green cleaning products. Research conducted by Michigan State University found that 12 percent of all work-related asthma cases were associated with exposure to cleaning products. Why not deliver a better environment for your business?

2. Because cleaning green is good business.

The use of cleaning products that are easier on the planet and its inhabitants’ health is growing quickly. Are you on the cutting edge with your cleaning products? Sustainable cleaning practices are good for your business’ image and they may also be key for the future. As government steps in, some institutions are now required by law to utilize green cleaning products. For example, an Illinois state law implemented in 2008 now requires green cleaning in all schools.

3. Because cleaning green is easy and affordable.

No doubt, you’ve seen the trend. A proliferation of green cleaning products is flooding the marketplace. It has never been easier to implement more eco-conscious practices in your business or institution. In addition, many of these products deliver cost parity with their conventional counterparts, so they will not significantly impact your budget.

4. Because cleaning green is the right thing to do.

People rely on you to deliver a healthy work environment. Are you delivering? Sustainability is here to stay and institutions across the country are going green. How will you address the future of cleaning?

Erinn Morgan is the author of Picture Yourself Going Green, a guide to living a more sustainable lifestyle in the office and at home.