How difficult is it to be considered a Green building? One of the issues of our hour is that businesses have been encouraged to "Go Green." Unfortunately, they have not been told what Green represents unless you consider an extensive list of ecological and environmental changes is the answer. Actually, it appears that the idea of a Green building has been usurped and taken to every possible extreme.

The basis for a Green office or building comes down to improvement of the health issues of the building for the people that work there. While it is helpful to change the light bulbs, reduce energy, conserve water, and recycle the trash; the best place to start a Green office is in the janitorial service.

There are three factors in a janitorial Green building. The first factor is what we call the Green Agenda. This is where the decision-makers establish polices. The second factor is to make sure that Green products are used, and the third factor is to require the janitorial service for your building be trained and certified.

The importance of a Green building is the improvement of the health factor for those who do the cleaning and those who put their eight hours in every day. Studies should that there are acute and chronic influences based on the cleaning of the building. This reflects in the cost of manpower and the loss of profitability through absenteeism, lost productivity, and increased medical costs.

Green practices by the janitorial service are equally as important as the Green products. As an example, the use of microfiber products reduce chemical use. They also decrease the bacteria and dust moved around the building during cleaning. Newer sanitizing processes must change the old "Spray and Wipe" routine and provide for a "Dwell Time" of the product. The spread of disease is greatly reduced when there is change of cleaning tools and methods. It is never enough to add a Green product into the janitor cart and declare the whole service Green.

It is encourages that companies require a "Green Practices Clause" in the bid or quote process for your building. Rather than employ old janitorial services, give preferential treatment to janitorial services that offers Green products and that boasts a Green trained and certified workforce. It makes absolute sense that the worker is equally as essential to the Green process as the tools of the operation. We all know that a set of tools does not make a typical man into an expert mechanic. How can we assume that a bottle of Green cleanser makes a service Green as well?

Companies are encouraged to seek out a Green Clean Institute Certified janitorial service in their area. At least require that those seeking to provide janitorial services for your building are Green Clean Institute Certified. You will make the world and your office a better place, and this is the foundation of getting your building Green Clean Institute certified as well.