Green Cleaning Program
In all service contracts; there are standard practices put into place for a healthier and more environmentally friendly work environment. These include our choice of chemicals, the use of paper products and plastic bags with a high degree of recycled content, the use of more efficient equipment and the ability to increase the efficiency of waste management programs. The table below lists portions of our program with brief descriptions following.
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Products |
Processes |
Equipment |
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Cleaning product use |
Restroom Care |
Vaccums |
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Floor Care Products |
Touch point initiatives |
Hard Floor Care equipment |
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Paper and Plastic Liners |
Use & Care of Microfiber towels |
Carpet Extraction Equipment & Products |
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Microfibre Towels |
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New Cleaning Products |
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Floor Matting |
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Exterior Maintenance Products |
Products
Cleaning Product Use
Through partnerships with our valuable vendors, CleanerTouch uses five standard chemicals that take into consideration a healthier workplace including:
- Green Seal and/or Environmental Choice approved Non-Ammoniated Glance Glass Cleaner
- Stride Citrus Floor Cleaner
- Aquaria Floor Finish
- Freedom SC Floor Stripper
- DIN and EPA approved Virox Disinfectant
All of these products can assist our clients in satisfying their needs for a healthier work environment and comprise approximately 80% of the cleaning products that our organization employs.
Cleaning Chemical Portion Control
We enhance our daily use of cleaning products through a ready to dispense (RTD) system that allows for maximum efficiency when distributing chemicals. Portion control can reduce consumption by 30% to 65% compared to non-portion controlled dispensing methods. Packaging is minimized and water is conserved in both the manufacturing process and usage of product.
Floor Scrubber Chemical Portion Control
Equipment partnership with Tennant allows CleanerTouch to deliver environmental stewardship of floor scrubber chemicals with FaST® soaps – 70% less water in/out than traditional chemical mixtures, 90% less chemical usage, no touch dilution and mixing and less chemical residual on floor improving both air quality and slip and fall liability.
CleanerTouch uses environmentally preferable floor finishes that require less frequent stripping, reapplication and a lesser amount of product to produce desired results. Only products that meet the most stringent environmental guidelines are used.
For every 2,500 cases of Ecologo certified paper supplies used:
- 500 trees are preserved
- 3,000lbs of landfill are protected
- 300,000 gallons of water saved
Paper & Plastic Liners
CleanerTouch recommends the use of post consumer recycled content in paper products and plastic liners. In conjunction with our partner suppliers, CleanerTouch provides audits and make suggestions regarding paper and plastic needs.
CleanerTouch also recommends the use of fully certified chlorine-free bleached pulp combined with recycled fiber such as Cascades’ North River brand of products. These paper hand towels and bathroom tissues are Ecologo certified through the Government of Canada’s environmental choice program.
Microfibre Towels
One of the more efficient ways of cleaning includes the use of microfibre products. A successful microfibre cleaning program must employ on-site laundering facilities. Customers must be willing and able to provide sufficient space and utilities for CleanerTouch to install a high efficiency washer and dryer.
New Cleaning Products
CleanerTouch continually seeks new cleaning products that provide a healthier work environment and have minimal environmental impact. We introduce these products to our customers and test them for efficacy on site, prior to making wholesale changes. Products include:
- Hydrogen peroxide based products
- Citrus based products
- Bio technological cleaning agents & enzyme based products
Floor Matting
Matting is the first opportunity to trap dirt and dust particles, preventing them from entering your location. CleanerTouch provides a variety of matting options as a part of our comprehensive service program. In addition to environmental benefits, appropriate matting programs help create safer workplaces.
Environmental benefits or purchased matting (compared to rental mats) include:
- Reduced transportation (diesel fuel engines power most delivery trucks)
- Reduced washing & treating mats (chemical agents, increased waste water)
Exterior Maintenance Products
CleanerTouch uses snow and ice removal compounds that do not include sodium chloride. We currently recommend Proven Ice Melt, a potassium chloride based product. We also use pressure-washing chemicals that are manufactured with environmentally preferable components or simply use water.
Processes
Restroom Care
Our cleaning expectation is for “show quality” in all restroom facilities. Equipment is colour coded to prevent cross contamination, daily schedules are established to maintain quality and employees are trained and monitored to ensure compliance with our standards.
Touch point initiatives
CleanerTouch provides Virox 5 Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant a broad spectrum-sanitizing wipe to further prevent cross contamination within sites.
Use & Care of Microfibre Towels
CleanerTouch uses Microfibre Towels in our existing cleaning systems and procedures. These towels are very effective cleaning tools that have several advantages over regular cleaning towels/rags.
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Traditional Towels |
Microfibre Towels |
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. Spread out much of the dirt and bacteria that they come into contact with, absorbing as little as 30% |
.Use static electricity when dry & capillary action when wet to absorb dirt & bacteria |
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. Require machine washing using detergent, bleaches or fabric softeners |
. Reduce the use of and need for, cleaning chemicals |
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. Single colour choice - difficult to tell its prior use |
.Available in four different colours for use in different tasks |
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. Considered “disposable”, short lifespan |
.Effective lifespan of 2 years |