London office cleaning: Greener cleaning - environmental responsibility

Environmental responsibility is high on the agenda at Not Just Cleaning. We realise that all companies have a responsibility to help safeguard people’s health and safety and protect the environment for future generations. We are always looking for new ways to improve our sustainability profile and reduce our carbon footprint.

Today it is more important than ever for us all to minimise our carbon footprint. Not only are the developed western countries producing more and more carbon emissions, but there is a growing problem as the population in Africa and Asia start living improved lifestyles which consume more energy. We need to lead the way.

The following are Not Just Cleaning initiatives which reduce our environmental impact.

Microfibre cleaning systems – By introducing microfibre cleaning systems into the commercial cleaning regime, the use of chemical cleaning fluids can be reduced by 70-80%. Cleaning fluids and sanitisers should still be used in hygienic areas to kill germs, however, general use areas such as offices can be cleaned effectively with a microfibre system.

Save paper – Stopping its use is the best way to save paper. Not Just Cleaning’s online service desk and document management system substantially reduces the amount of hard copy documents required for compliance. In addition, encouraging employees and customers to think before printing emails is an easy way to reduce paper use. Paper that is used on one side should be re-used for making notes and for fax machines. Paper use can also be reduced by printing and photocopying double sided, increasing page margins, decreasing font size and using software with reading layouts (to prevent the need to print to read).

New age hand dryers, like the Mitsubishi Jet Towel, are an eco friendly alternative to paper hand towels. Even recycled paper has a few drawbacks related to its "green properties". To make one tonne of recycled paper, it takes 7000 gallons of water, 360 gallons of oil, 158 million BTUs of energy and 86 pounds of pollutants go into the atmosphere. In addition, modern 650W hand dryers provide considerable CO2 savings when compared with conventional 2400W dryers.

Save water – Not Just Cleaning encourages employees and customers to save water. We provide and promote the use of biological urinal blocks which can dramatically reduce water usage from flushing urinal cisterns. Urinal blocks contain a biological action that keep urinals free flowing and odourless. Flushing frequency can be reduced to just four times each day. Tests have indicated financial savings of £150 per urinal per year. In addition, around 115 thousand litres of water per urinal per year will be saved. Other water saving measures include making sure dishwashers are fully loaded before use, training operatives to not overfill buckets and the use of the host® dry carpet cleaning system.

Alternative fuel / hybrid electric vehicles – Not Just Cleaning uses LPG dual fuel vans. LPG gives a 10-15% carbon dioxide reduction in comparison to petrol and is on a par with diesel. LPG also delivers 80% lower nitrous oxide emissions than diesel, along with zero particulate emissions. We are also introducing Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles as company cars for our Account Managers. Hybrid vehicles are powered by a combination of petrol or diesel and electricity. This cuts down on the amount of fuel needed, meaning drivers will produce fewer emissions.

Reducing deliveries – Not Just Cleaning encourages less frequent deliveries of cleaning materials and consumables to customers’ sites. Fewer deliveries means a reduction in the fuel used and the emissions produced. However, adequate storage space is required at the site. Customers may need to provide alternative storage as traditional cleaners’ cupboards are often inadequate.

Eco-friendly carpet cleaning – Not Just Cleaning uses the host® dry carpet cleaning system which is Green Seal® certified. The green seal demonstrates that the product promotes a cleaner, healthier environment, causing less pollution, reducing waste and conserving resources. The host® system uses a natural product moistened with water, detergent and a small amount of safe-to-use-solvent. When compared with high flow wet extraction systems, the reduction in chemicals and water used is 97%.

Eco-friendly window cleaning – Not Just Cleaning uses the reach & wash system of window cleaning using the ionic cleaning action of pure sterile water. Cleaning is carried out without the use of any chemicals or detergents.

Recycling – Not Just Cleaning use and supply 100% recycled toilet rolls and hand towels. We also recycle printer cartridges, mobile phones and general waste. We encourage all customers to recycle and provide a mixed recyclables collection service.

Travel less – Not Just Cleaning encourages its staff to car share to work or use the bus or train.