A Test to Learn From

Teachers tell us when we are kids that the purpose of a test is not to measure how much we know – or don’t know – but rather to help us learn. Although some of us may have disagreed, the goal of testing is indeed to improve and expand our knowledge regarding various subjects. 

With this in mind, I would like to invite our readers to take a few minutes and complete the following Green cleaning quiz. And, as with all tests, it is not to determine what you know or don’t know, but rather to help you become better educated and aware of the number one trend in the cleaning industry today: the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products and systems. And, to further enhance the quiz’s education, the correct answers are shown with a brief explanation of each. 

 

So, let’s begin. 

True or false. The goal of Green cleaning is to reduce cleaning’s impact on the environment.

This is true. Many cleaning chemicals, although they have served us well for many years, have been proven to be harmful to the user, building occupants and our environment. Green cleaning employs products that have less negative impact on our environment.
 

True or false. Although all cleaning products used should be environmentally preferable, chemicals are the most important in Green cleaning.

The answer is false. Managers and users should view Green cleaning as a system made-up of several products and components. If all components are not working together in harmony and contributing to a healthier indoor environment, the Green cleaning program is not properly functioning. To use the old analogy, it is only as strong as its weakest link. If Green chemicals are used, but a non-Green or poor performing vacuum cleaner pours contaminants into the air, the indoor environment is being harmed and the Green cleaning program is not effective. 

 

True or false. The terms “environmentally preferable” and “environmentally friendly” are essentially the same.

The answer is false. The term environmentally friendly was coined about 30 years ago. Although it referred to products that were believed to have less negative impact on the environment, it was eventually discovered that many had essentially the same impact as the conventional products they were to replace. In addition, the expression environmentally friendly was often self-declared by manufacturers. The term environmentally preferable emerge over the past 10 years and refers to products that have been tested and certified by third-party, independent organizations. This modern term implies that products are in fact more responsible and protective of the environment.

 

True or false. A Green vacuum cleaner or floor machine has advanced air-filtration systems to protect indoor air quality.

The answer true. Vacuum cleaners can release impurities into the air. Over the past few years, some manufacturers have been developing filtering systems to help reduce the release of contaminants and protect the environment. However, advanced technologies that help capture and trap dust generated from polishing and buffing floors are more recent. Today, several floor machines should have shrouds, passive or active vacuum systems, and filters to help prevent contaminants from becoming airborne.

 

True or false. LEED-EB is only for large buildings and building service contractors, who clean small facilities, need not be concerned with LEED.

The answer is false. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings (EB) is a rating system for all types of facilities, large or small. To achieve certification – which can have several financial advantages for building owners as well as health benefits for occupants – various factors are analysed. A critical test is an evaluation of how the facility is cleaned and what types of products are used.

 

True or false. When unsure which is the healthiest chemical to use, always use the cleaning chemical with the highest pH.

This is false. We could go into a discussion here as to what pH is and its impact on the user and the environment, but that is really not the issue. Instead, the real issue is that all cleaning products, Green or not, should be used as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Leading manufacturers evaluate their products’ effectiveness and safety. Based on their testing, the package label will indicate how to most effectively use the product without injury.

 

True or false. Green cleaning products are made of sustainable ingredients?

The answer is false because this is not always possible, even though it is a key goal of all environmentally preferable products. To be sustainable, it means that our use of ingredients to manufacture a product today will not diminish the ability of future generations to use those same products. A very good example of a sustainable product is bamboo, which is now being used for wood floors, furniture and other products. Shortly after the bamboo is cut, new sprouts appear, which in time, can be reused to make more wood products.

 

True or false. Green cleaning also involves the hand soaps and paper products offered in a facility?

This is most definitely true. Just recently, we have seen more major manufacturers introduce hand soaps and paper products that have been Green certified. As with all environmentally preferable products, this means the products cause less harm to the environment, are biodegradable, and made from sustainable ingredients.

 

True or false. Once a product is certified Green, users can rest assured it will always be considered environmentally preferable?

This is false. When a product is certified Green, it has bet the requirements and criteria established for that product category at that time. However, the criteria can and does change, usually becoming more stringent. When this happens, the product will need to be re-engineered to meet the new criteria and maintain its certification.

 

True or false. An effective Green cleaning program is ultimately the responsibility of the cleaning crew?

Although the custodial crew is directly involved with the Green cleaning products and system, the most effective Green cleaning program also includes building owners/managers and building occupants. The most successful examples of Green cleaning have been accomplished when all the major stakeholders in the facility are directly involved in the process and the success of the program.

 

- Scott McDougall is president and CEO of TerraChoice and the Environmental Choice Program. McDougall is also a biologist by education and had devoted his career to management and marketing in the environmental field.