“Even though the performance of eco products has largely been accepted by most high end clients, there is always a need to demonstrate the effective performance of such products” -Prathibha Blessing
“Cost being the determining factor in the price-performance market, service providers seek profits by cutting corners off the components – manpower, wages, cleaning agents, machinery, maintenance, training…
Hence, the higher costs involved in initial implementation of eco-friendly products/practices do not seem a lucrative proposal, despite the cost effective gains envisaged in the long run with sustainable practices. The erratic market discourages service providers to take risks or look at the larger return on investment in the future. Very few follow the SLA mode of operations which can bring about a proper system.”
Scepticism
With certain corporate clients, cost could hardly be an impediment, as there is not much difference in the costs of regular chemicals and green chemicals, explains Pratibha. “Yet, the moment we approach the eco subject, the client directly associates it with additional cost. It’s not that the client is not open to change. In fact, end users are always looking at newer methods of cleaning and cleaning products. At many stand-alone properties, we have introduced green practices and the response has been very appreciative as long as we (service providers) are prepared to take it forward,” says Prathibha.
“In fact, factories, industries, corporates, commercial offices, or banks, name any of the leading sectors, they all agree to the need of eco-cleaning but at the bottom line, it is always the costing that takes priority,” says Vivek Jagdale, Director, Clean N Clear. “When we emphasise upon eco-practices, they ask us to implement and show results first before finalising on the contract. In short, they ask us to bear the expenses.”
One of the main causes to this scepticism is lack of stringent regulation. “Why talk of cleaning in other premises, take Green Buildings itself. A lot of effort and money go in constructing green buildings – materials, the design, etc., but there is no legislation that says that such buildings should be maintained only with green products,” emphasises Dharamveer Priyadarshi, Sales & Alliances, Kaarya Facilities & Services Pvt Ltd.
“A simple calculation of the amount of money spent in making a green building is much higher than what is required to maintain it. Further, the greener the cleaning products, the more sustainable and long lasting the structure will remain. It is in fact an onus on the client to ask the vendor to use green products more than the housekeeping company. Clients yet want to maintain the premises at a minimal cost. Unless there is a conscious effort from the client end, the housekeeping companies may not be able to convince them,” says Dharamveer.
“We have to continuously hammer to get our point across and that cannot be done with just talking. We need statistics to support it.” – Vivek Jagdale
Pointing out the problem in vendors introducing green cleaning, Vivek Jagdale, says, “Without proper payment schedule, clients cannot expect the housekeeping vendor to invest on green cleaning products which are much more expensive. The vendors would not be able to sustain their business if they do not get the right returns for their investment.
“In regular cleaning itself the payment is made in a three-month cycle.” Many housekeeping contractors find it difficult to sustain and many have either diversified or closed shop. The most interesting part of the payment cycle is the cause of delay. For example, if the cleaning equipment/chemical is supplied based on the orders of the admin head of the client company, there have been instances of the accounts refusing to pay because it is “costly”.
