Green cleaning is among the commercial cleaning services offered by All Pro Cleaning Systems. We are proud to offer green cleaning because we know that a growing number of organizations prefer it. However, transitioning to green cleaning after so many years of doing things in the traditional way can be challenging.
We believe the challenges are worth overcoming. Why? Because green cleaning is better for the environment, better for workspaces, and better for both cleaning teams and other employees. If your office cleaning procedures have yet to go green, maybe it’s time for a change. While you think about that, here are some of the challenges of transitioning to a green cleaning strategy:
1. Initial Costs
Transitioning from traditional to green cleaning involves investing in new cleaning solutions and equipment. Unfortunately, doing so comes with a price tag. Companies generally have to make an initial investment greater than what they currently pay for traditional cleaning.
Once that initial outlay is covered, green cleaning costs are comparable. You might spend a little more here or there on some things but a little less on others. Green cleaning does not need to be prohibitively expensive once initial costs are paid for.
2. Education and Training
Green cleaning is not limited only to cleaning chemicals and solutions. Technique also plays a significant role. So making the transition from traditional to green almost always includes an education and training component.
Facility managers and cleaning staff might not understand the differences between traditional and green cleaning products. They may not know how to use green products effectively. Moreover, teaching new techniques and practices to team members who have been doing the same things for years can require a whole new way of thinking.
Again, the time and effort are worth it. And if trainers educate team members about the benefits of green cleaning, some may actually embrace the training more enthusiastically.
3. Resistance to Change
Perhaps the biggest challenge of transitioning from traditional to green cleaning is overcoming a resistance to change. The resistance to change is a reality business managers know all too well. Indeed, it is not limited to changing how cleaning is handled.
Change means learning new things. It means developing new habits and looking at results differently. Because it tends to push people outside of their comfort zones, change is resisted.
In terms of transitioning from traditional to green cleaning, the resistance to change may be exacerbated by misconceptions. For example, it is commonly believed that green cleaning solutions are not as effective as their traditional counterparts. This may be related to a lack of strong odors people associate with cleaning chemicals. If someone believes a green cleaning solution will not work, they are more likely to resist using it.
4. Choosing Cleaning Products
Another big issue is choosing the right cleaning products. Unfortunately, not every cleaning product advertised as a green product truly is. The industry is rife with greenwashing, the practice of claiming products are green when they are either not green or just marginally so.
A similar issue is not being able to find suppliers. Green cleaning products still aren’t as readily available as their traditional counterparts. And until they are, a reliable supplier is like gold.
There are still other challenges including staff buy-in, implementing new cleaning schedules, and even maintaining regulatory compliance. If you would like to transition to green cleaning but don’t know how, no worries. All Pro Cleaning Systems offers expert green cleaning services. We can handle the entire process for you. Contact us to learn more about green cleaning for your commercial space.
