Defining Sustainability to Determine Your Cleaning Practices

According to CMM’s 2023 In-House/Facility Management Benchmarking Survey, facility managers are making sustainability a priority. Approximately 70% of the survey’s respondents reported working toward improving sustainability practices and decreasing their facility’s carbon footprint.

But what exactly does it mean for cleaning to be “sustainable”?

According to 3M Commercial Solutions Division, worldwide, there is no consensus definition of sustainable—or green—cleaning. Very broadly, it means using products and processes that help reduce potential harm to the environment.

An adherence to this definition can help form the foundation of your facility’s sustainability efforts and keep them on track. Here are four recommendations 3M has shared to help you determine your own sustainable cleaning practices.

1. In choosing cleaning products, focus on those that are recyclable, are manufactured using plant-based materials, or help reduce waste.
2. When determining sustainable cleaning techniques for your facility, include the use of biodegradable cleaners and concentrated cleaning solutions that reduce packaging and require less space, fuel, and cost related to shipping and storage.
3. Product packaging itself can be managed with an eye on sustainability. Reduce waste by managing the quantity of packages, such as boxes and plastic bottles, required for sufficient inventories. Buying larger sizes in bulk can reduce the output of packaging materials and can even help reduce inventory costs.
4. Explore solutions that reduce the frequency of cleaning or enhance durations between cleaning cycles. This helps reduce the overall need for materials and energy usage.