How to Reduce the Environmental Effects of Cleaning
What is LEED and what do owners need to know about it?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is a program for buildings and facilities that aims to reduce the environmental impact of new construction. The goal of LEED is to build a better tomorrow by incentivizing responsible building practices. The best way to know if green cleaning meets your goals is by looking at the materials being used and at the way the building is planned and managed. LEED has defined the following:
v4.1 Green Cleaning
To reduce levels of chemical, biological, and particulate contaminants, which can compromise human health, building finishes and systems, and the environment, by implementing effective cleaning procedures.
v4 Green cleaning - products and materials
To reduce the environmental effects of cleaning products, disposable janitorial paper products, and trash bags.
v4.1 Green Cleaning Policy for existing buildings and v4.1 Innovation: Green Cleaning Policy for commercial interiors
To reduce levels of chemical, biological, and particulate contaminants that can compromise air quality, human health, building finishes, building systems, and the environment.
How to reduce the environmental effects of cleaning products
It’s no secret that cleaning commercial and residential properties has become an environmental issue. The use of harmful chemicals in commercial cleaning solutions and the improper disposal of waste increase health risks. Building owners need to take immediate measures to reduce their carbon footprint while minimizing the impact on their tenants’ health.
Green cleaning products are designed to fight both indoor and outdoor air pollution. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), indoor air pollution is linked to asthma attacks, respiratory diseases, heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. According to Peters and others (2019), greater exposure to airborne pollutants is associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Not only do green cleaning products make your home smell better and look better through freshening the air, but they can also be used to combat memory loss from aging.
Green cleaning has become an increasingly popular trend in recent years. It's a great way to go natural and save money while cleaning. The benefits are numerous: fewer toxins in our environment, cleaner rooms faster, and better air quality since cleaning products aren’t as harmful to our lungs. Here at Limpio, we use the best green cleaning products.
How to reduce the environmental effects of disposable janitorial paper products
Paper towels, napkins, and half-used tissues can be linked to an increasing number of problems. According to The World Counts, paper accounts for around 26% of total waste at landfills. That's why Limpio – an organization that services new building owners and prides itself on sustainable organization cleaning standards and sanitation services – has developed a unique solution: Green Cleaning for New Construction. By using environmentally-friendly paper towels and tissue products, businesses can drastically cut down on the amount of trash they send to landfills and curb the carbonization of our planet.
If you're looking to reduce your impact on the environment, re-usable paper products may be an option you consider. Not only are janitorial paper products lighter weight and often made from renewable materials, but reusing them also keeps waste out of landfills. Additionally, if you have a growing business, reusing paper products could save you from having to purchase new ones all the time! Green cleaning products can help limit your environmental impact through simple alterations to your existing cleaning routine.
How to reduce the environmental effects of trash bags
Working with natural materials and eco-friendly packaging has become more prevalent in construction. Trash has become an important part of the construction. Cleaning up debris, using foliage cleansers on green cleaning projects, and using biodegradable packaging materials all make good reasons to start using these methods for your packaging today.
The process of cleaning up debris and garbage is made easier by using the right products. To reduce the impact of construction debris, it's best to use green cleaning products purchased locally. An important detail here is to read the small print on these products. At Limpio, we consider how much waste each type of bag generates and which types of bags are the worst offenders when it comes to producing landfills for each project.
Next steps
Interested to partner with Limpio for your cleaning needs? Get in touch!