Time for a Quiz
By Scot Case, Vice-President, TerraChoice Environmental Marketing™ and EcoLogo™ Certification

Instead of the usual, hopefully educational column, this month I thought it might be fun to test your knowledge about Green cleaning. After all, if we remember back to our high school days, our teachers told us the real reason for a test is not just to find out what we know or how much we remember about a subject, but to learn, understand and appreciate the subject as well.

So, with that premise in mind, please take the following short quiz on Green cleaning, circle your answers, and then read about the correct answers below.

  (1)  Which of the following statements best describes or defines Green cleaning?
   a.  Replacing conventional cleaning chemicals with Green cleaning chemicals.
   b.  Cleaning to protect human health.
   c.  Cleaning to protect health without harming the environment.
   d.  Developing a plan and set of procedures to use environmentally preferable products and equipment when cleaning a facility.
 
  (2)  A Green cleaning product can best be defined as:
   a.  A product that is non-toxic and made of natural, biodegradable ingredients.
   b.  Cleaning chemicals that do not contain petrochemicals and are bio-based, derived from a renewable source.
   c.  A product that has been tested by an independent, third-party organization and certified that it meets current Green criteria and standards.
   d.  A product that has been tested by the manufacturer and proven to meet specific guidelines and criteria generally accepted as Green and environmentally friendly.

  (3)  LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Existing Buildings) is a rating system that awards Green certification to buildings. How many points can a building earn by incorporating a Green cleaning system?
   a.  Three points.
   b.  13 points.
   c.  32 points.
   d.  It depends on the evaluation and can vary.

  (4)  Sometimes we hear that Green cleaning products are “cost neutral.” What does this phrase mean?
   a.  They cost the same as conventional cleaning products.
   b.  Some cost more than conventional cleaning products, others cost less. The result is that the cost differences are essentially neutral.
   c.  They may cost more but these costs are offset by other savings.
   d.  It is often used to hide the fact that some Green cleaning products cost more than conventional cleaning products.

  (5)  For Building Service Contractors (BSCs), incorporating a Green cleaning system is a multi-story office building most often results in:
   a.  A healthier work environment.
   b.  Reduced occupant complaints about a facility’s cleanliness.
   c.  Reduced employee turnover, tenant turnover, and insurance and liability claims.
   d.  None of the above.
   e.  All of the above.

And Now The Learning Begins…
The answers to these questions cover the basics about Green cleaning. These are things you should know and be able to share with your clients as they become more interested in Green cleaning systems. And the quiz answers are:

  (1)  Most experts define Green cleaning as “cleaning to protect health without harming the environment,” making answer “C” correct. It is more than just using the right chemicals, the right products and the right equipment. It is a system to protect the health of workers and building occupants, and simultaneously reduce environmental harm.

  (2)  Over the past few years, many people have begun to think it is now clear what constitutes a Green cleaning product. However, with the recent headlines about “Greenwashing,” it appears there is still considerable confusion, much of it the result of incorrect information provided by manufacturers and other organizations. To set the record straight, a Green cleaning product is one that has been tested and analyzed by a recognized, independent, third-party organization and proven to meet specific environmentally preferable criteria and standards. The answer is once again “C.”

  (3)  Here the answer is “B.” Up to 13 LEED-EB credits can be gained by implementing a number of Green cleaning activities including purchasing certified environmentally preferable cleaning products, janitorial paper, and cleaning equipment. It also includes, among other things, installing high-performance matting system at all major building entries, employing pest management systems that have no or reduced impact on the environment, worker training and recycling programs.

  (4)  A Green cleaning product may cost more than a conventional cleaning product but the savings, as a result of using it, equal or far surpass the additional costs. This is often referred to as “cost neutral,” making “C” the correct answer. As an example, an East Coast school district began healthier (Green) cleaning practices that resulted in an increase in student attendance of between 0.5 and two per cent. For every one per cent increase in attendance, the school district received $225,000 more in funding. This additional funding far outweighed any additional costs for the environmentally preferable cleaning products.

  (5)  Those who answered “E”, all of the above, are right on the mark for this last question. Although results can vary, according to Stephen Askin, president of the Askin Group and a key leader in the Green cleaning movement, BSCs can expect Green cleaning to create several business advantages, among them: reduced occupant complaints; lower absenteeism; tenant turnover and liability claims; improved asset (building) protection; and enhanced worker productivity.

I hope this quiz on Green cleaning, as short as it was, has given you a firm foothold so that you can learn even more about this essential topic. I also encourage you to share your knowledge with your clients, incorporate Green cleaning systems at the locations you clean and improve your overall business operations. Green cleaning is in demand, and the more you know, the more you benefit from it.