With increased attention from Canadians towards green initiatives, organizations are looking to become more sustainable to appeal to consumers, investors, and employees alike. To do this, they must look at every level of their operations to find opportunities for efficiencies and improvements to their practices. A facility’s cleaning practices can be a great place to start, as they not only have the ability to further sustainability goals but can also help to improve employee satisfaction.
According to recent research, there is a clear link between clean, well-functioning workplaces and employee satisfaction. We found that 86 per cent of office employees regard cleanliness as the most important aspect of a good work environment. 85 per cent of employees think that the level of restroom cleanliness reflects how clean the building is overall and 67 per cent of employees say that they are more likely to complain about a restroom than any other aspect of their office.[1]
With cleanliness and hygiene being top priorities, here are a few tips to ensure your facility is held to the highest standard.
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Clean, then disinfect
For most dirty surfaces, wiping down with a disinfectant will not be enough to ensure true cleanliness. These surfaces must be cleaned first with a detergent or soap, water, and a disposable cloth prior to disinfection. This way, parts of bacteria and viruses can be mechanically cleaned first. Then, to properly disinfect, use an approved disinfectant and a disposable cloth. If using an alcohol-based product, use one with a minimum of 70 per cent alcohol like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol for best results.
Don’t forget to wear gloves!
Wearing gloves is an important part of cleaning procedures to keep surfaces clean and sanitized. Gloves should be discarded after each use to avoid cross-contamination and the growth of bacteria. If using reusable gloves, they should be dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces of certain zones in the working area. Finally, be sure to wash your hands immediately after gloves have been removed before touching any surfaces with your hands.
Dry your hands thoroughly with a single-use paper towel
Did you know that paper towels are more hygienic than hand air dryers? Compared to paper hand towels, jet air dryers spread 10 times more bacteria through airborne droplets[2], increasing the risk of bacteria spread. Research shows that 62 per cent[3] of users stop drying their hands before they are completely dry as air dryers take too long, increasing the risk of the spread of bacteria[4]. In fact, when asked, 67 per cent of people agreed that they wished more facilities offered paper towels as an alternative to air dryers4. Compared to hand air dryers, paper towels also offer more versatility. From drying hands to blowing your nose or touching up makeup, as well as using them to avoid touching other surfaces in restrooms such as the door or to turn off faucets, employees and guests appreciate having access to paper towels.
Be diligent with high-touch surfaces
There are several high-touch surfaces that may be overlooked in a facility and are prone to facilitating the spread of bacteria. The following surfaces should be disinfected at least once a day:
- Tables, seating, and benches
- Doorknobs, handles, and locker doors
- Light switches
- Toilets, faucets, and sinks
- Machine controls and equipment panels
- Workstations, desks, and chairs
- Keyboards and computer mice
- Printers and telephones
- Vending machines
- Elevator buttons
- Shared tools or equipment
Turning cleaning practices into sustainable practices
Now that we’ve ensured that our cleaning practices are thorough, we must consider how to make them more sustainable. We know that sustainability is growing quickly as a priority for employees. Our research has found that as people return to the office, they have higher expectations of sustainability, with 75 per cent of respondents wanting to see a more environmentally friendly office, and 56 per cent thinking their employer could be doing more to turn the office into an eco-friendly place[5]. When it comes to integrating more sustainable practices, a few small adjustments can make a big impact.
For example, facility managers should consider responsible sourcing. In recent years, businesses have made considerable improvements to their traceability in supply chains. Many companies have integrated environmental and social requirements into their supplier standards and sourcing programs. However, the complexity of the supply chain can make it hard for companies to know exactly where goods have come from. Simplify responsible sourcing with suppliers whose products have the endorsement of trusted third-party certifications. When you see product certifications like FSC®, Green SealTM, ECOLOGO, or supplier ratings like Ecovadis, you know the product or supplier meets high environmental standards throughout its supply chain.
Product dispensers are also evolving to keep sustainability at the forefront. Recently launched carbon-neutral certified dispensers not only increase hygiene but also reduce our impact on our planet by using durable materials and enabling consumption reduction of up to 50 per cent. As well, these certified carbon-neutral dispensers use certified renewable energy and offset carbon emissions through investments in verified credits from climate projects.
When considering the cleaning products you buy for your facility, also consider the after-use and circularity. Circularity has a key role to play in the push towards zero waste. The linear process that ends in landfills or incineration has defined so much of our economic activity. A more circular economy opens the door for more reuse and to leverage waste as a resource. Circularity needs to be considered, along with new strategies providing after-use solutions such as commercial composting or take-back systems.
It is clear that every decision counts for facilities looking to increase sustainability and the products you buy to support your organization, from office equipment to cleaning supplies, are important inputs to your environmental impact. Making simple changes like these to your cleaning practices can be a great place to start for facility managers to both increase sustainability and improve employee satisfaction.
Rachel Olsavicky serves as the Regional Marketing Manager for Commercial and Public Interest at Essity Professional Hygiene. For the last four years, Rachel has dedicated her expertise to the Tork brand by bringing a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics in these sectors.
Sources:
[1] June 2022 Behaviorally – Qualitative and quantitative office segment research with 600+ respondents in North America and Europe
[2] Margas E. et al, J Applied Microbiol, 2013
[3] 2021 Survey conducted by United Minds in cooperation with CINT in March 2021
[4] https://www.tork.ca/en/torkcampaigns/safer-choice-to-airdryers
[5] Tork Eco Office Survey US, 2022 Survey conducted by Tork
