Deciding between microfiber or cotton mops and rags isn’t a high-priority decision for most business leaders.
But it is important for those in the building maintenance industry, which is making a push toward using more environmentally friendly materials.
A growing number of building maintenance companies are implementing green cleaning practices by using recyclable materials and cleaning agents that are free of dyes and fragrances.
Green cleaning practices also can help businesses accumulate points toward a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Our industry is pushing green,” says Shawn Spruill, owner of Clean-Rite Building Services. “I think businesses need to start becoming more aware.”
The Wichita Business Journal list of building maintenance companies shows several local businesses have taken measures to implement green practices.
ServiceMaster by Best Corp. just completed a two-year process to receive Green Seal certification for its cleaning materials and practices. Green Seal is a nonprofit organization that provides science-based environmental certification standards.
ServiceMaster, which ranks No. 7 on the WBJ list, is one of 48 companies nationwide with the Green Seal certification. Of that, 30 are ServiceMaster franchises.
“We’re on a leading edge,” says David Lazarus, ServiceMaster president. “The caveat to the whole thing is to encourage the customer to go (in the green) direction.”
Green Seal examines every facet of a maintenance company’s supplies, from cleaning products to the type of toilet paper used.
Green proponents say environmentally friendly products can control waste, improve air quality and remove foreign air particles.
“I don’t see (green) as an option any more, I see it as a necessity,” says Spruill, whose company ranks No. 9 on the list. “There’s just too much proof out there (of its merit).”
He says Clean-Rite uses Green Seal practices, but is stopping short of seeking a full certification because of the cost, which is around $10,000, of becoming certified.
“You can still be a green cleaner without it,” Spruill says.
Others in the industry, he says, also may be reluctant to seek Green Seal certification because of the cost involved.
It cost ServiceMaster between $10,000 and $15,000 to switch to green cleaning products and equipment to become Green Seal Certified, Lazarus says.
“This is a very intense process,” he says.
Eco-Friendly Practices
While building maintenance companies are making green practices a business staple, the companies that utilize their services aren’t always willing — or don’t care — to embrace green practices.
“Most companies are concerned with dollars and cents,” says Kyle Herrman, division manager at SBM Site Services LLC, Wichita’s largest building maintenance company.
Herrman says the perception about green practices being expensive is exaggerated. Using green products doesn’t cost much.
That’s why maintenance companies are implementing green practices on their own.
“No one can do everything but everyone can do something,” Spruill says.