fbpx

If you haven’t looked at sustainable cleaning practices in a while, you might be surprised to find out how much they can improve your bottom line.

Green or sustainable cleaning practices have a reputation for being expensive. Products cost more, your team has to work harder to achieve results, or you have to charge too much to make it feasible. There was a time when this may have been accurate. But times have changed. 

Sustainable cleaning practices are far more economical than they once were, and the products are more effective. They’re also in higher demand. This combination means you can potentially reduce operating costs and increase revenue at the same time. Here are some of the ways that works. 


Harness the advantages of Janitorial Manager to enhance your overall service and customer support. Learn more today with a free discovery call and find out how to make your work more efficient and more profitable!


Sustainable Cleaning Practices

5 Ways to save money with sustainable cleaning practices 

Before we jump in, it’s important to note that there is a distinction between green cleaning and sustainable cleaning practices. You can have green cleaning that isn’t necessarily sustainable. However, sustainable practices usually do include green cleaning products. 

For example, you may use green products, but if you aren’t buying them in bulk or as concentrates, you aren’t practicing the most sustainable approach. The EPA says that “to pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.” The dictionary defines sustainable as “able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed.” 

So sustainable cleaning practices do consider the environmental impact of janitorial work, but with that comes a certain amount of efficiency, which reduces your overall costs. 

1. Reduce fuel consumption. One practice that falls into the sustainability and efficiency column is to plan your schedule, so each new facility you service is as close as possible to the last. This reduces the wear and tear on your vehicle, the amount of gas you need, and the time spent driving – all of which reduce your operating costs. 

2. Reduce costs for products. While buying concentrated or bulk cleaning products may be initially more expensive than purchasing ready-to-use products, the per-use price is substantially lower. As far as the sustainability factor, buying concentrates usually means less packaging and less energy to get deliveries. 

3. Prevents customer churn. If you’re wondering whether your customers are interested in sustainable cleaning practices, check out some of these numbers from an article published in Business Wire:

  • 85% of consumers purchase more sustainable products than they were five years ago.
  • 60% of consumers rate sustainability as a major consideration in new purchases.
  • 34% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products and services.

4. Reduce staffing costs. Sustainable practices are about the products and methods you use, but they’re also about people. This requires a holistic view of your commercial cleaning business, but the essence is this. When you treat your team well, including premium pay and benefits, they’ll stick with you. They will do a better job, and your customers will notice (and keep their contract with you, as a result). And you won’t have to go through the process of hiring and training new people, only to wonder if they’ll stick around. 

5. It’s great marketing. This may not reduce your operating costs, but it will increase your revenue. People want to hire janitorial companies that focus on sustainable cleaning practices. When they know you focus on efficiency, use environmentally friendly products, and pay your team well, they know they’re hiring a conscientious company. In addition, they know their own employees will benefit from your practices. 

Before we close this out, there are some important things to point out regarding sustainable and “green” cleaning products. Just because something says, “natural” or “eco-friendly” on the label doesn’t mean that it is a sustainable product. 

To be sure you’re getting a verifiably sustainable product, look for the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) label or Green Seal certification. And to ensure the products you use are suitable for commercial-grade disinfection, look through the List N: Disinfectants, also on the EPA website.


Increase your team’s efficiency, reduce your costs, and improve results. With Janitorial Manager, all this and more isn’t just a dream; it’s your new reality. Contact us for a free consultation right now and see how it works!


 

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin