Green cleaning is a term that has its origins in the environmental movement.  But what is most commonly misunderstood about green cleaning is how simple it can be.  The premise behind going green in your cleaning service is that it can improve environmental quality in the workplace and lessen the impact that cleaning chemicals, waste and packaging bi-products can have on our environment. 

We usually categorize the process of instituting a green cleaning program to be geared towards one of two main goals.  The first and most common goal is to improve the quality of your workplace and the impact it has on the environment.  The second and more lofty goal is to have your building gain points under the U.S. Building Councils green guidelines and LEED certification process. 

By choosing The MJ Company for your cleaning needs you immediately get the benefit of first goal because we only offer services and systems that are green from the start.  Over 80% of the chemicals and procedures we use are environmentally friendly.   

Chemicals:
The goal of using green cleaning chemicals is to eliminate or reduce the use of VOC’s.  VOC is an acronym for volatile organic compounds.  Many VOC’s used in the cleaning industry are toxic and can cause respiratory or dermatological harm.  We use strictly bio-renewable chemicals in our cleaning processes, including glass cleaners, restroom cleaners, and floor cleaners.  We also use green seal chemical products whenever possible.

Procedures:
In carpet cleaning we use the bio-renewable products for our chemical base and prohibit the use of more harsh chemical compounds unless a specific stain or residue exists on a smaller part of the carpeted area.  We also try to limit the overuse of water in our carpet cleaning processes and to conserve energy usage try to limit fan usage for drying during the carpet cleaning process unless absolutely necessary. 

Limiting dust control is a major factoring in reducing airborne particles in the workplace.  By using micro-fiber mops and mop heads we reduce the amount of particles that are stirred into the atmosphere.  Using micro-fiber dust towels is another way to trap airborne particles and reduce the adverse impact that dust can have on the workplace.  We also always recommend a comprehensive matting system at the entry/exit points of most buildings.  Matting systems will reduce the airborne particulates generated from foot traffic in and out of busy buildings.  The use of hypo-allergenic filters in our vacuum equipment also limits the airborne particles that reduce indoor air quality.

Recycling is a process that can be of great significance in a green cleaning program.  If your site does not offer recycling services we can provide them on a limited basis.  In addition the MJ Company is committed to recycling all of our packaging product for sanitary supplies and chemical packaging. 

We also use reusable plastic spray bottles for our spraying components allowing us to order our bio-renewable chemicals in larger containers and reducing the waste impact on the environment. 

A wide variety of our sanitary supply offerings have green seal certified packaging and are derived from post-consumer content.  There is no need to sacrifice the quality of sanitary supply products for the green component.  The leading paper manufacturers like Kimberly-Clark, Georgia-Pacific, and BayWest all have extensive green programs in place to provide the most environmentally friendly product for your facility.

LEED
What is LEED certification?  LEED is an acronym for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  It was created in 1998 by The United States Green Building Council.  LEED was created to transform the design and construction of buildings as well as their maintenance.  Janitorial services fall under the maintenance component of the program.  To obtain LEED certification for your building it is necessary to receive the minimum points to be qualified under the entry level of LEED.   LEED certification falls under one of four categories:  Certified, Silver, Gold and the highest level is Platinum.  There are several points acquired for green cleaning as well as recycling programs.  If you are attempting to achieve LEED certification for your building, the operations and procedures for your maintenance cleaning company can be an integral part of your points process.