“Going Green” in Cleaning Industry

Going green may have lot of interpretations, but the objective is to use tools/machine, detergents and
procedures that prevent environmental dehydration.

Its about
– finding sustainable answer to our needs and desires
− finding a life style which causes no permanent damage to the planet
− living in harmony and balance with other living inhabitants of our world.

Being green is good thing since it puts less stress on the environment and it really makes sense.

What can cleaning industry do?

Cleaning industry need to embark on two important aspects to commit itself as a socially responsible
industry.

1. Green cleaning machine/tools

2. Green cleaning practices

Green cleaning machine/tools:

Cleaning machine/tools are widely used indoor, should be able to create a clean and healthy
environment for building occupants by efficiently removing dirt and contaminants.

The main features that are needed for such machines are :

Indoor Air Quality

IAQ could be optimised by using proper filteration systems like HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate
Air ) and ULPA (Ultra Low Particulate Air ) in the machines. Battery powered are mains operated
equipments also play a role in this approach.

Sustainable products :

Products should be built with Robust recyclable plastic parts, powder coated at the heavy wear parts,
ease to service and maintain by providing enough accessibility with a proven life cycle.

Economical approach :

The cost of the equipment should be as low as possible. Must be easy to operate, less complicated and
possibly be operated with a reasonable training. The efficiency of the equipment must be high. It
should also possess energy saving, water saving features.

Safety :

Safe electrical circuits, emergency buttons assures a safer machine. Recommended sound level is
below 70 dB . Usage of maintenance free gel batteries also emphasize on safety point.
A UK based manufacturer has invented an electrical street sweeper. It is a battery operated compact
suction sweeper. The future of such machine is bright since it is pollution free, low noisy and highly
economical.

Battery powered sweepers/scrubbers do not necessarily save on carbon. But they are cleaner at the
point of use, I.e. mainly to do with localised pollution since we still use coal fired powered station to
produce most of the electricity.

Hako's scrubber drier B-90, features Aqua Control System (ACS) which provides additional cost
saving and envronmental benefits. ACS automatically stops the water supply from the fresh water tank
when the machine comes to a standstill. This machine unlike other scrubber driers developed with
25% less components. It also reduces manufacturing by 20% which means less raw material, energy
and emission.

American cleaning machinery manufacturer Minuteman, also has its scrubber driers equipped with
AQUASTOP which consumes less water and chemical when compared with general scrubber driers.

Roots Multiclean's innovative floor washing machine Wizzard is a three-in-one machine. It undertakes
scrubbing, mopping and recovery activities all in one. This machine has recyclable plastics and metal
components. When compared with a single disc rotary machine of the same area coverage this
machine has the following features, which makes it as an eco friendly product.

a) the speed of the brush is higher resulting in better dirt removal. However, the power is saved upto
40% because of a smaller adequate motor.

b) This machine has a reduced water consumption upto 50%. . In one process the dirt removal and
recovery work is completed by saving 50% of time and the requirement of a vacuum device.

c) Lower noise level , higher brush life, less weight and lesser investment makes it an appropriate
one.

Dulevo, has launched a road sweeper powered by CNG, first of its kind in the market. CNG has lowest
level of toxic gas emission which results in least air pollution , less noise and effective fuel utilisation .

Tennant's scrubbers built with electrically generated water technolgy, eliminates the use of chemicals .
Also they consume less water than conventional scrubbers.

Research activities are going on to use biofuel in the fossil fuel operated cleaning machines. When
biofuels are used , upto 40 % of carbon emissions could be saved. In Europe an EU directive has
asked governments to ensure a minimum of 13% biofuel is mixed in all fuels. Presently in Finland 19%
of country's energy needs are sourced from Biofuel .

The janitorial and institutional industry should support alternative and environmentally sound ways of
keeping our premises clean.
 Green cleaning practices

Steam cleaning is eco cleaning, cleaning using steam methods is an excellent environmental solution
for both indoor and outdoor. It saves the chemical cost and reduces the use of water . The energy
consumed is also reduced since a great amount of steam is generated with less water. Steam destroys
bacteria, mildew and microbes. It cuts greases effectively. It could be used for general cleaning,
industrial cleaning and sanitising purposes.

Use rechargeable maintenance free GEL batteries. Charge them with solar system then doing with
mains supply.

Switch off the machines, battery chargers and other devices before going home or when you go for
lunch and meetings. Though in standby mode the power is consumed, leads to global warming.

Use proper vacuuming machine with relevant accessory. It saves time and energy. When you do wet
vacuuming use only the required amount of water, make sure filters are cleaned periodically. Blocked
filters damages the machine and consumes energy and time.

Use appropriate brushes and pads. They are easy to clean and sanitise the area. Clean the brushes and
pads periodically to have better efficiency. Bassine/coir/bamboo fibre brushes shall be used wherever
possible. They are environmental friendly products.

Usage of bamboo fibre in the mop instead of cotton has proved a huge success in UK. Bamboo tree
grows three times faster than cotton. It prevents deforestation and provides an economically viable
crop for farmers. The bamboo fibre is inherantly anti bacterial and a good absorbent too.

Always allow the mops to dry naturally. Use washable mops instead of disposables. Re-use the mops
as much as you can. Transfer the mop from high end applications to low end .

A new range of plastic buckets made entirely from recycled plastic has been introduced. Presently they
are available only in black colour. They indeed play their part in facing the environmental challenges.

80 % of dirt entering a building comes through the main entrance. Entry mats filters the dirt effectively.
Provide mats from 12-20 feet . It saves time, money and assures a clean environment.

Biodegradable cleaners:

Cleaners formulated from natural plant extracts are biodegradable, smell fresh and enviro-people
friendly. Eco-friendly cleaners, degreasers helps to care the environment. They are bio degradable and
they can be discharged into drains, sea-lake-river lines. They can also be used for watering the plants.
Some cleaners have active ingredients to ensure effective cleaning even when a low dose is used.
When proper dosing is done, they reduced time, money and energy. Todays dosing technologies can
save businesses lakhs of rupees annually.
 Training:

Employees must be trained in all the cleaning processes they are involved with. Documented training
educates the people, on various approaches they have to adopt depending upon the job and the area. It
helps them to use proper tools, dose chemicals , save time and energy.

Going Green means “Reduce, Re-use and Re-Cycle”. Also it is about “Cleaning to protect health
without harming the environment”.