Training

A critical aspect in advocating standard or green cleaning practices is the ability of the janitor to understand the methods of using products the right way. More than 98% of the cleaning staff come with a very low educational background and depend heavily on training to perform even mundane tasks like using a mop or a wipe. Repeated training sessions are required to teach them the art of right dosage of chemicals to attain the required results. “Hence, a change in the product line calls for training of janitors again in the application of green products and thereby adding to costs,” says Prathibha.

We have innovations in hand that can take the industry towards a future that we want. We have to understand that the product’s uptake comes with the client’s understanding of not just today’s innovation but of tommorrow’s success.

Besides, it also calls for a major change in the mindset of the janitors, who commonly believe that a washroom floor has to be worked on thoroughly using the hardest of chemicals and the best of equipment which alone can remove grime, dirt, stains, etc. “Otherwise, they conclude that manual scrubbing is the only way to get the washroom clean. There is an inherent reluctance to accept eco-products which do not reflect the qualities of hard chemicals.

“The training for eco-products applications too differs – the dosage, dilution, frequency, standing time… are all different,” explains Prathibha.

“While the regular products are based on surface-contact & time, eco-products involve surface reaction-time which requires a lot of patience. For example, a urinal cube is claimed to be a product that does away with the need of any detergent or scrubbing of the urinal. It just needs flushing. Considering that it gives odour and also de-crystallises the uric acid deposits around the urinal bowl, takes a while to see to believe it. Convincing a client about trying the eco-cube in a washroom with high traffic is a difficult battle, especially when it comes to washrooms which have issues of bad odour, cleanliness and disinfection. The wait-and-watch concept of eco-products on any given day is a difficult proposal. Even if I were to suggest trying the product on a lean day, convincing clients is rather a slow process,” adds Pratibha

“Green cleaning is more an international concept and most MNCs in India go for green products as a global practice. Generally, Indian companies are not very keen on eco-friendly practices because of the cost factor.” – Amit singh.

Effectiveness of Green Products

Green products are definitely effective, agree most service providers. However, the quantum to be used and the dilution ratios are much higher than that of the regular chemicals. “Instead of a 10ml quantity, I would have to use 20ml in case of green chemicals. Being a neutral chemical, we may need to use a little more to clean better. But there is no doubt that green chemicals are effective and we have been using green products extensively,” says Prashant.

“Agreed that use of green products is an expensive proposition, but in the long run it is a sustainable solution. And, if green products are more affordably priced it would be an effective proposition in convincing clients to adopt green practices. I would always advocate the use of green products because it is a necessity for the survival of our future generation. India may not turn green in our life time but we have to initiate it now for our future generation,” emphasises Prashant.

Says Michael Ray, who is in the commercial janitorial supply business in the US, “I am confused why stamping something “green” increases cost – not just chemicals but everything! In some cases it makes sense. For instance a product is going to cost more if it is third-party certified (e.g. Green Seal). But supply and demand have lowered the cost of green chemicals in recent years. Think about Hydrogen peroxide. In 2002, only a very few manufacturers made the product. In 2009, I can’t think of any national manufacturer who doesn’t have at least one hydrogen peroxide based product in his line. So today, speaking commercially, we can usually provide green alternatives for many products without a real cost difference over traditional products.

“I do agree that some green alternatives are ineffective. For instance, I think zinc free floor finish is absurd. Everyone in the janitorial business knows that these coatings do not hold up as well as their zinc counterparts. So, is it more “green” to have to strip your floor every three to six months or put down a zinc product that can last for years? Having said that, green cleaning chemicals have come a long way in recent years. I find that poor choice of chemical (e.g. not understanding chemistry) or poor process (e.g. not enough dwell time) is usually the problem – not the product itself.”