Cold and flu season is well underway, and planning ahead will help keep guests and staff safe and healthy. Why not take a sustainable approach to your cleaning program to minimize the spread of germs, along with your carbon footprint?
Sinks and faucets can have up to 229,000 germs per square inch, so you want to remain vigilant with your cleaning protocols, especially in high-traffic areas or surfaces like bathrooms, doorknobs, desks, and phones.
There are several ways you can go greener, without compromising on infection prevention for your building.
Green cleaning
While 43 per cent of employees are still worried about the risk of illness when returning to work, 83 per cent would like to see more environmentally-friendly cleaning products used.
How can you get greener and sanitize for germs? Here are a few suggestions:
- Carefully consider the ingredients in your products, cutting down on harmful chemicals or too much packaging.
- Buy in larger quantities to cut down on your environmental impact and limit waste.
- Look for certifications like ECOLOGO®, which verifies that it’s an environmentally friendly product.
RELATED: Are your cleaning products eco-friendly?
Air quality
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than outdoor air quality, causing symptoms like congestion, headaches, fatigue, and more.
Invest in indoor air quality monitors to stay on top of your levels. As well, switching out traditional products with fragrance and dye-free alternatives won’t add VOC’s to the air, are great for people with sensitivities, and are more eco-friendly. Also, practice rigorous indoor cleaning maintenance with vacuuming and dusting to minimize the spread of airborne particles and germs.
Education
Keep your team in the loop! Let them know the approach you’re taking so they know it’s important to your company. Getting everyone on the same page will keep these practices top of mind, and your staff may even have some ideas that can improve further on your plan.
As a bonus, sustainability is becoming more important for employees and along with helping the environment and keeping your facility clean, a greener cleaning strategy may also attract new, like-minded talent or customers.
Take a greener approach to your facility’s cleaning program to uphold your sanitization standards, lower your carbon footprint, and possibly attract new talent for your team during this cold and flu season.
