Are Green Janitorial Products Worth the Investment?

Posted by National Paper Systems.com on 28th Oct 2014

Are Green Janitorial Products Worth the Investment?

Green Cleaning Supplies

If you have a janitorial company, there are many aspects you will need to keep in mind to ensure that you stay competitive in this market. One of the things many companies are turning to is green cleaning products. But many janitorial companies are unsure of whether this is the right option. Here are a few things to consider.

What the EPA has to say

The job of the EPA is to help make the world more environmentally friendly in any way that it can. So it seems obvious that they would be proponents of green cleaning products, both in residential settings as well as commercial. This is why the EPA recommends that consumers and janitorial companies take the environmental impact into account when purchasing cleaning products along with performance, quality, price and other considerations.

Are You Spending More on Green Products

An aspect that holds many janitorial companies back from purchasing green products is that they are concerned that the cost will be higher. In some cases it may be just a little higher, but will this really going to be less costly.

One of the biggest considerations to think about here is the potential damage that regular products can have. A study done by the EPA showed that 6% of all janitorial workers suffer from a work related injury every year. This means lost productivity, workers comp and in some cases the potential for a lawsuit. Also, this may even help lower your business insurance costs as you are taking extra measures to protect the welfare of your workers.

Disposal costs for hazardous chemicals can add up quickly. When you have green products you can reduce or even eliminate the need for these disposal fees. In most cases this will far outweigh the price difference for green products.

Another consideration to think about with this is the potential marketing advantages this can offer. Many companies are looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly and this can be a selling point that lands your business more clients.

How to Find the Right Green Products

Just as you use cleaners for various jobs, so there are different ways that the cleaning products can be environmentally friendly. There are a few things you can look at that will help you to find the right green products for your needs. These are some of the aspects the EPA suggests buyers look at when making a purchase for cleaning companies:

  • Consider the environmental impact of the packaging. This should be efficient, recyclable and refillable
  • Always choose sprays over aerosol which have a greater impact on the environment
  • Look at the ingredients. You want something that contains minimal chemicals and hazardous materials.
  • It should have a low VOC content
  • Consider going with a product that is made from renewable materials and is biodegradable, such as citrus, pine oil and other materials.

Remember that once you find the right cleaning materials for your needs, make sure you understand their proper storage and handling directions. All employees should be trained to ensure that you do not lose product and that there are no injuries.