Our Mission

Guidelines

Our Sustainable Story

Our Socially Conscious
   Story

OUR SUSTAINABLE STORY

Green Clean was forging the way towards changing the standard in the cleaning industry from toxic to safe long before sustainability became "trendy".

Sustainability is a journey, and the more we are able to move closer to sustainable practices, both financially, and physically, we do.
Doing our best is our commitment to you, and the earth.

Sustainability At Work

Our Office:

• Clients
• Painted with Sherwin Williams, Harmony low VOC paint
• Paint colors chosen to energize, yet provide peacefulness for employees and Bamboo flooring installed (renewable, low maintenance, long lasting)
• Furniture made from glass, metal, natural materials, and renewable eco friendly materials, from a source that cares about the environment and has an environmental message (For example, IKEA which is committed to low waste, reduced packaging materials, reduced boxes due to innovative design and packing, more products made from renewable sources, less toxic glues and materials, and social conscious policies)
• Living plants to clean indoor air, and provide enjoyable surroundings
• Water feature to provide a relaxing atmosphere and soothe employees
• Organic, fair trade teas are always available for employees and clients
• Ceiling fans installed to reduce need for air conditioning in summer months
• Work hours are planned around day light hours to reduce electricity and heat usage
• Environmentally sound, 100% recycled material, chlorine free toilet paper used in our office
• Cloth hand towels are used versus paper towels in office whenever possible
• Glasses, glass plates, and silverware are used, washed, and reused in our office kitchen
• Recycling center is set up for paper, glass, aluminum
• Office waste paper is put through shredder and recycled
• All office printer paper is 100% post consumer
• Store and office are connected and have an open floor plan so that heat and air can flow easily.
• One central filing system is in place to reduce paper usage
• Walk Off mats are in place, with proper grade traction to reduce dirt and toxins form entering workspaces.
• Educational programs and speaker series are held free of charge to the public in our store to encourage change and promote further education on a variety of different environmental friendly and health conscious issues.
• A library with countless resources on a variety of environmental issues, health issues, and information from organic gardening to raising green kids are available to employees and the public on a loan system. Or they can choose to sit in our relaxing book nook and enjoy a cup of fair trade, organic herbal tea, and organic cookies. The library includes books, magazines, videos, newspapers of importance, and CD's. A lending library allows our staff and customers to have access to important information without purchasing their own magazines and books, which put a demand on paper supplies and put our forests at risk.
• All shelving and most of our furniture are on wheels to provide ease of movement for cleaning purposes and allow the space be used for many purposes, such as meetings and functions, reducing our need for excessive square footage.
• All events at our office are catered by a local organic, restaurant. We strive to purchase locally grown, organic items for these events.
• Careful attention to positive energy in the room is strongly in place. Feng Shui has been considered for office productivity and happiness of workers and visitors. As well as considerable efforts to speak positively, work productively and fairly, and offer good will not only to our clients, and employees
• All computers are put in sleep mode for the reduction of energy.
• A central boiler system heats the building, and furnaces valves are turned down at end of day during winter and on weekends.

Sustainability is a Journey

Although we strive to do all things sustainably, there are some areas of great importance to us where, at this time, we can either not afford, or are unable to make changes due to availability of products or items.
We believe in transparency, in allowing the public to know us, and see not a perfect company, but one that, like them, is striving for a better world each and every day within their abilities and with the knowledge they have at that time. With that in mind, we would like to share the things we do that aren’t as Sustainable as we would like. Our hope is that each and every one of us will learn, grow and change towards greater Sustainability as we are each able.

What don’t we do, yet, and why?:

• We have yet to find a way to reduce the need to drive in an industry that must go from home to home and business to business in order to provide the services we offer. Reducing the distance between jobs is an ongoing priority for our company. Green Clean is in the process of securing a hybrid, or possibly several to reduce our fuel usage and environmental impact.
• The material our product bottles are made from is plastic. We have researched corn oil plastics and are unable to use them for our liquid products due to their current inability to hold liquids for a great length of time. The cost factor and quantity required also make corn oil packaging temporarily out of our reach.
• Our uniforms are currently not made from organic materials. With as many employees as we have, providing the number of uniforms needed for each Service Provider to maintain a sanitary and clean look, organic material is cost prohibitive at this time.
• Our current company owned vehicle is not a hybrid. The vehicle was purchased over four years ago when hybrid vans and SUVs were not available. The current vehicle is a mid size SUV with good gas millage ratings. It is still in excellent working condition and therefore we will continue to use this vehicle for as long as we are able.

What The Future Holds:

• Hybrid vehicle purchases are scheduled for 2008.
• Packing and shipping materials are also top on the list for 2008. Committing to environmentally sound options across the board are being researched and incorporated into our systems.
• Our paperless quest is in full force, and it is our plan to look for ways to reduce even more by constant review of systems and the way we do business.
• Additional education programs are in the works which will incorporate our knowledge of environment and cleaning products and services to work towards real change.