Green cleaning refers to using cleaning methods and products with environment friendly ingredients designed to preserve human health and environmental quality. “The direction we are taking reflects our commitment to making choices appropriate to our environment and our future. We are confident that these housekeeping and maintenance practices will increase the life of products we use, reduce exposure to chemical and toxic substances, and reduce the overall operations cost,” says Rupali Pol, Executive Housekeeper-The Gateway Taj-Ummed, Ahmedabad. She elaborates here the green initiatives taken by the hotel.
Adding beneficial microorganisms to the Hotel’s Green cleaning arsenal: Along with the development of chemicals and products that are sustainable as well as green, one new area of interest is the use of what are known as bio-cleaners and bio-enzymatic cleaning products. The Gateway Taj-Ummed has hired these beneficial microorganisms to provide continuous degradation of the organic soil buildup in kitchen and guest bathrooms drains that can lead to blockages. This long-lasting cleaning action helps to maintain free-flowing drain lines and reduce organics that can cause malodours. It also helps eliminate breeding grounds (organic scum) for cockroaches and flies. Adding beneficial microorganisms found in nature to the cleaning solutions has enabled the hotel reduce the environmental impact of cleaning. Gradually, it will also help reduce the need for additional drain cleaning, treatment, and maintenance.
Harnessing the power of steam and deep vacuuming: Steam and deep vacuuming if applied correctly are a very effective method for killing insects such as bed bugs and cockroaches in all the stages of development. Our Integrated Pest Management service professionals use steam injector and deep vacuuming as practice to maintain our kitchens, dining areas and guest rooms free of insects. Portable steam injectors are used to apply dry vapor steam in fine the cracks and crevices, bedframes, mattresses to kill all life stages insects; steam is also used in fine cracks and crevices in drains, kitchen counters, prep equipment, tables and dining room furniture. A deep crack and crevice vacuum is used in combination with steam injector to remove and kill insects and remove their eggs hidden in fine crack and crevices. Steam is a natural source using just clean water to create a powerful versatile cleaner. Adopting this technique has helped us reduce the use of pesticides in sensitive areas thus making our living environment healthier to enjoy quality life.
Less to Landfill, Be Climate Smart – Compost: Composting garden waste and kitchen scraps is one of the best and easiest things we can do to reduce waste and grow a healthy, sustainable garden. Using this compost in our garden will help recycle nutrients and organic matter that help grow trouble-free plants with less water, fertilizer or pesticides. Compost also builds healthy soil that absorbs and filters runoff, protecting streams and rivers from erosion and pollution. This will help us reduce our annual trash tonnage amounts, keep green waste on-site to reduce transport to the landfill, and will provide well needed organic fertilizer for our gardens. We are in plans to keep track on our trash and recycling ratios.
Improving Air Quality by promoting interior-greenscape: Tropical plants are the ultimate in functional decorating. Greenery can not only brighten a space but also purify the air. Plants create a more relaxing and restful ambiance in any room. We know that spending time in tune with nature is linked to reduced stress levels and relieved tension. We plan to increase interior-greenscape using selective tropical plants that are easy to take care of and are effective in improving interior air quality.
Saving Water: Reusing towels and not changing sheets every day really do save significant amounts of labour, chemical, water and energy thus reducing carbon-foot print. This is accomplished when the guests participate. We plan to initiate this project in our hotel by creating eco-savvy guests awareness seeking their participation in “Save Water Save the World” campaign.
Sustainable purchasing – janitorial cleaning & supplies: Janitorial cleaning products such as floor and bathroom cleaners, soaps, paper towels and tissues with reduced toxicity are readily available and have been successfully used around the world. Our goal is to be as sustainable as possible. Purchasing environmentally preferable, biodegradable and low impact or reduced risk cleaning products will help achieve this goal.
These “Just Green”initiatives will help us reduce our carbon footprint and achieve a sustainable lifestyle for our staff and our guests with whom we share this wonderful green space – the Gateway Taj-Ummed.
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What is Green Cleaning?
The movement towards green cleaning does not imply that traditional methods are inadequate or have created unsafe conditions. Instead it can be viewed as simply taking the next step beyond our current approaches to further reduce polluting impacts while continuing to maintain and improve the healthfulness, comfort and aesthetics of our surroundings.
Sustainability also minimizes cleanings impact on people and the environment, but more importantly, it is a process, not a product. It is a process to protect resources for the future. In articles and discussions about green cleaning, you will typically read/hear something about the triple bottom line which entails – People, Planet and Profit.
People – pertains to fair and beneficial business practices toward labour and the community and region in which a corporation conducts its business.
Planet – refers to sustainable environmental practices. This practice entails reducing the ecological footprint by carefully managing consumption of energy, non-renewables and reducing
Profit – is the economic value created by an organization after deducting the cost of all inputs, including the cost of capital.
The cleaners used by the custodial staff have an impact on the residents and staff at Long Term Care facilities. By switching to safer chemistries, without sacrificing performance, residents and staff can perform in a safer environment and will help lead to reduced HAI’s.
How do I know if a product is truly GREEN? We know that Green Cleaning creates healthier environments. However, to make sure that you are Green Cleaning you need to look for some type of third party certification like; Green Seal, EcoLogo, Design for the Environment or BioPreferred. These third party certifiers review a manufacturer’s product to make sure that it adheres to strict requirements based on the effects to the environment.
The facility janitorial staff contributes as much to the well-being of patients as the medical staff. Good GREEN cleaning practices, keeping linens clean and reducing clutter help improve the indoor environment and are conducive to healthy residents and staff.
Hiren ModiMD- Klinox Marketing
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