Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

People are now very aware of the importance of keeping a workspace healthy and clean. There is also a growing commitment to utilizing environmentally sustainable goods and processes. Here are some guidelines for principles you can follow to do your part. 

Improve Indoor Air Quality

The American Lung Association points out indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. What can you do to remedy this?

• Make sure there is enough air circulation. Open windows when possible. One vital step is to open the windows after cleaning to let in fresh air.
• Use an air purifier.
• Vent fans and ceiling fans assist with air circulation.
• Air supply ducts are a common cause of contaminated air. Have them regularly serviced.

Add Green to Your Workspace

Researchers differ on whether plants enhance air quality. Some research indicates that plants rid the atmosphere of harmful substances such as formaldehyde. What's indisputable is that plants and flowers positively impact the appearance and aroma of any room. 

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips

Follow these tips when cleaning:

Use Microfiber Wipes

Microfiber products are perfect for cleaning and disinfection purposes. They can replace strong chemicals. Microfiber wipes work well for clearing surfaces of fingerprints, dust, and germs. They can also replace paper towels. 

Get a Steam Cleaner

A steam cleaner can replace many cleaning products that contain strong chemicals. These tools help clean carpets, furniture, floors, counters, and many other applications.

Buy Green Cleaning Products

Most commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals. These products can harm people’s health, especially individuals with allergies and auto-immune disorders. Read labels when you buy cleaning products. The EPA publishes guidelines you can use to identify green cleaning products.

Use Sustainable Cleaning Tools

Everyday items like brooms and mops are often made from plastics. Look for alternatives such as bamboo. Similarly, you can find eco-friendly dusters, sponges, and other products made from natural products. 

Focus on Frequently Touched Areas

Watch for surfaces that everyone constantly touches, such as light switches, doorknobs, keyboards, kitchen/bathroom faucets, and countertops. These should be frequently disinfected. Keep hand sanitizer available so that when people do touch surfaces, contamination is reduced. 

Hire an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Company

If you outsource cleaning, ensure the service uses green products and practices. This information can be found on their website or other promotions. If you already employ a service, inquire about their methods. Ask them to use non-toxic and biodegradable products when cleaning your workplace. If they don't offer this option, switch to another company.

Clean Mineral Buildup on Windows and Surfaces

Watch for mineral buildup on surfaces and windows. Large quantities of minerals such as calcium and magnesium in the local water supply cause this. When you have this problem, cleaning causes more mineral buildups as you use water to clean. A simple solution is to wipe affected areas with diluted vinegar. You may also need to check your water and use a water softener. 

Sustainable Practices

Reducing waste and using sustainable materials and practices helps keep your workplace eco-friendly. 

Reduce Waste

Workplaces typically produce a great deal of waste. Some of this is unavoidable. However, if you are conscientious, you can reduce the waste you generate quite a bit. 

Here are a few suggestions:

• Prohibit disposable paper, plastic, or styrofoam products. Instead, have employees bring in reusable mugs, containers, and utensils.
• Ensure you have clearly labeled recycling bins so people dispose of waste properly. 
• Consider removing vending machines if you have them. These contain packaged foods and beverages that contribute to waste. 

Buy Cleaning Products in Bulk

When you buy cleaning products in large quantities, you can pour them into containers or spray bottles. This is more efficient than buying small disposable spray bottles. 

Use Sustainable Packaging

Remember to examine how you package and ship items. For instance, it's wasteful to use non-recyclable materials to package items that are to be shipped. 

Conserve Water

Cleaning can use a lot of water. Due to the many areas stricken with drought, the issue of water conservation is severe. Here are a few tips on how to use less water while cleaning:

• Keep water taps on only as long as necessary. Habitually, people open water taps and forget to switch them off if they turn away from the tap momentarily.
• Microfiber mops can be used dry or with only minimal water. They're an excellent replacement for mop heads that must be immersed in water. 
• Employ smart technology to avoid wasting water. Leak detectors help you know when your faucet is leaking so you can quickly fix it. Electronic faucets also assist in water saving. They are also easier to use than regular faucets since they do not require manually turning the taps on and off.

Make Your Workplace Healthier and More Sustainable

Improving hygiene, safety, and sustainability is relatively easy. A lot comes down to making a conscious choice to do better. Once you decide, you'll find that new ideas and solutions present themselves. Inform your employees and encourage them to come up with their ideas. These principles will then become a regular part of your business.

 

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