Sustainability is a strategic mindset that touches every part of an organization. This isn’t just about green cleaning or a few eco-friendly practices—it’s about embedding a “think sustainably” culture into the organization’s DNA. Making powerful choices Cultural change begins by rethinking decision evaluation. Traditionally, purchasing has focused on upfront costs and performance. A sustainable mindset asks more profound questions. Before purchasing new equipment, consider its full lifecycle cost—not just purchase price, but energy and water consumption, maintenance, replacement parts, and end-of-life disposal. Is it designed for repair or destined for the landfill? Look at the company behind the product. Is its supply chain ethical? Has it faced environmental or labor violations? By asking these questions, you mitigate the risks associated with partnering with questionable suppliers and make informed ethical choices that enhance brand reputation. Eliminating waste A “think sustainably” culture targets waste—defined as any inefficiency that drains resources, whether energy, water, materials, or human. Why pay for wasted energy? Smart technologies, such as energy-efficient heating, ventilation, thermostats, and HVAC systems, along with LED lighting can significantly reduce electricity use. Low-flow fixtures and efficient cooling or irrigation systems reduce water consumption without sacrificing performance. In manufacturing, “dematerializing” processes—using fewer materials, minimizing scrap, and maximizing output—save money and resources. In logistics, optimizing delivery routes and investing in fuel-efficient or electric vehicles reduces emissions and operating costs. Being mindful The heart of sustainability is mindfulness—toward people and nature. Some organizations view employees as replaceable and communities as resources to exploit. Sustainable organizations see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem, and they invest in people by offering fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for growth. Mindfulness also means actively working to protect biodiversity, reduce our environmental footprint, and restore natural resources. This is not just generosity—it’s enlightened self-interest. Building a strategy Embedding sustainability into strategy involves integrating holistic decision-making, waste elimination, and mindful stewardship into every level of operations. For example, procurement teams can prioritize products with third-party environmental certifications. Facilities teams can commit to annual energy and water audits. Operations teams can set goals for reducing packaging waste or increasing recycling rates. Creating a culture of sustainability means constantly asking: “Is there a better, more sustainable way to do this?” It’s a continuous process—not a one-time project. It requires persistence, creativity, and the willingness to challenge “the way we’ve always done it.” Learn more by watching a StraightTalk! video at cmmonline.com/think.
Ten months after the January wildfires in California, hundreds of homeowners that depend on California FAIR Plan Association (FAIR Plan), the state's insurer of last resort operated by the insurance industry, are seeing their claims denied. Their homes are still intact but suffered damage and were contaminated by smoke. Despite a court loss and sanctioning by state regulators, FAIR Plan has denied policyholders seeking to have their smoke-damaged homes remediated through professional cleaning or replacement of structures and fixtures, such as drywall, insulation, and lighting, the Los Angeles Times reported. Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package to improve the state’s insurer of last resort and help Californians recover from disasters. The legislation gave FAIR Plan new financing mechanisms to more swiftly pay claims, offer better oversight and improved policyholder experience, and add coverage for manufactured homes. Additionally, the California Department of Insurance will be required to consider additional home hardening measures every five years as part of its Safer from Wildfires efforts. “The kinds of climate-fueled firestorms like we saw in January will only continue to worsen over time,” Governor Newson said. “That’s why we’re taking action now to continue strengthening California’s insurance market to be more resilient in the face of the climate crisis.” In July, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara took formal legal action against the FAIR Plan for systematically denying and limiting smoke damage claims from wildfire survivors, particularly in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton Fires earlier this year. The California Department of Insurance filed an order to show cause against the FAIR Plan after consumer complaints showed a pattern of denying smoke damage claims based on an arbitrary FAIR Plan-defined requirement for “permanent physical damage.” The department’s legal filing follows hundreds of escalating consumer complaints filed with the department against the FAIR Plan and builds on a multi-year investigation, which uncovered at least 418 violations of California’s consumer protection laws. “I’ve spoken with wildfire survivors who would rather lose their homes to flames than endure the stress and confusion of navigating smoke damage claims,” Lara said. “This is unacceptable. This issue has persisted after every fire and has become even more urgent in the aftermath of the largest urban fires in history, the Palisades and Eaton fires. These consumers' messages are clear: They need assistance, not obstacles. We will not tolerate insurance companies breaking the law and denying Californians the coverage they deserve, including the FAIR Plan.” The California FAIR Plan is operated by the insurance industry, not the state. State law requires all property insurance companies doing business in California to participate in the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, which provides basic fire insurance coverage when homeowners and businessowners cannot find it in the traditional market. It was first created after the Watts Riots of 1965 and resulting major wildfires. It is designed as a temporary safety net—not a long-term solution. The Department of Insurance has regulatory oversight of the FAIR Plan to ensure it complies with state law and treats policyholders fairly—the FAIR Plan is not exempt from consumer protection and claims handling requirements in California law. Commissioner Lara has also created the Smoke Claims & Remediation Task Force to develop statewide standards for investigating and remediating smoke damage—a gap that has existed for decades. To date, the department has helped recover more than US$74 million for wildfire survivors through formal complaint intervention.
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, entered a strategic partnership with the National Service Alliance (NSA) to offer building service contractors (BSCs) access to ISSA’s education programs and NSA’s group purchasing power. “Together, ISSA and NSA are creating a platform that empowers BSCs to grow stronger, smarter, and more profitable,” said ISSA Chief Engagement Officer Brant Insero. “Whether you’re a small contractor looking to break into new accounts or are focused on efficiency, this partnership delivers resources that matter.” What this means for contractors: Small BSCs win big: ISSA members with less than US$2 million in annual sales can now join NSA’s Tier III membership—valued at $299 per year—at no cost, opening the door to significant savings on products, equipment, and services. Stronger margins: ISSA members who choose to participate can benefit from NSA-negotiated pricing and rebates across more than 60 leading suppliers, to boost their bottom line while scaling operations. Smarter operations: Members gain access to spend management tools, order control systems, and supplier collaboration opportunities. Elevated professionalism: NSA members get access to discounted pricing on ISSA’s industry-leading training and certification, giving contractors a competitive edge in client bids and employee development. NSA currently represents more than 1,800 contract cleaning companies with combined revenues exceeding $17 billion. By aligning with ISSA, the alliance expands beyond cost savings to build a connected network where contractors gain both operational strength and professional recognition. “NSA focuses on delivering unmatched savings and solutions to contractors,” said NSA President Michael Conrad. “By partnering with ISSA, we’re extending that value to include world-class education and professional development—giving BSCs the complete package to thrive in today’s competitive market.” ISSA members and NSA members who are interested in taking advantage of this partnership should click here for more information.
A new study found that disinfectant wipes were significantly and rapidly able to reduce coronavirus viruses. The study aimed to compare the contributions of physical removal and chemical inactivation to overall disinfection efficacy. Glass and vinyl coupons were contaminated with coronavirus variants at an initial titer of 5–6 log tissue culture infective dose(TCID)50/surface with 5% soil load. After air drying, coupons were wiped using one of the following treatments: pre-wetted blank polypropylene wipe, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-based disinfectant wipe, or quaternary ammonium compound (QAC)-based disinfectant wipe. Wiping was performed manually by hand or mechanically using a Gardco Gardner-scrub. The wiping process followed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency protocol. After a one-minute exposure, residual disinfectant on both coupons and wipes was neutralized separately. Viruses were recovered by sonication for 30 seconds and quantified. Using a blank wipe, more virus was transferred to the wipe from glass (23%–59%) than vinyl (21%–30%), while less virus remained on glass (2%–5%) than vinyl (16%–24%). No significant difference in virus concentration was observed between hand wiping and machine wiping, either on the surfaces or in the used wipes. Both disinfectant wipes reduced the number of viral particles from surfaces, with virus remaining on used wipes below the limit of detection. The survey said these results suggest that disinfectant wipes can significantly and rapidly reduce coronavirus contamination and cross-contamination risk.
Germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) air sterilization appliances, also known as UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) appliances, use UV light to kill airborne viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms as they pass through a disinfection zone. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a renewed focus on infection control and prevention practices, including the need for effective strategies to reduce airborne pathogen transmission. GUV appliances can be used with minimal disruption and represent a potential adjunct to existing infection control measures. However, despite growing interest in this technology, a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlighted limited success. JAMA conducted a clinical trial in Australia, where it reported the use of GUV appliances in communal areas resulted in a nonsignificant decrease in acute respiratory infection (ARI) rates. However, time-series modeling showed a statistically significant 12.2% reduction in weekly ARIs. This difference in findings likely reflects the random timing of infections, variations in infection rates, and external environmental factors. The study further estimated the causal effect of the intervention to be an approximately 9% reduction in infections. When applied to the ARI rate in the control arm, such a reduction equates to 92 fewer ARIs per 1,000 residents annually. While falling short of the 20% benchmark that is often considered a clinically meaningful change for an individual, such a reduction could translate to a very meaningful effect from a public health perspective, for which the aggregate benefit of even small individual improvements becomes substantial.