Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008 - (Page 19)

the green Over the years, I have written many articles encouraging and imploring executive housekeeping folks to participate in Earth Day, which as I’m sure you know is on April 22nd. As I mentioned in last month’s column, far too often our role is limited to setting-up and then cleaning-up after the events, and we frequently miss the opportunity to actually participate and proudly let people know about our contributions. Wherever your Green cleaning program is now, we can all be involved in Earth Day 2008. For those who have implemented Green cleaning programs, I hope you will use this year’s Earth Day celebration to explain just how big the annual negative impacts are from the institutional cleaning industry, including: • 8 billion pounds of cleaning chemicals, most of which are made from nonrenewable natural resources (e.g. petroleum), • 4.5 billion pounds of janitorial paper products which require the cutting of approximately 25 million trees, and • 1 billion pounds of janitorial equipment that is disposed of each year, enough to fill 40,000 garbage trucks clogging our landfills. Let everyone know that your Green cleaning program is contributing to meaningful reductions in negative health and environmental impacts. Plus, use the opportunity to tell them what they can do to make even greater progress in the year to come. Be sure to educate your audience about how Green cleaning is not an inventory of products, but in reality a concept, an approach to clean- o Last Minute Earth Day Ideas by Stephen Ashkin ing that protects health without harming the environment. Discuss the roles your processes in cleaning have in the Greening of your building. Many out there who are uneducated about Green cleaning and Green buildings may feel that being Green means simply purchasing a line of products with a certain stamp of approval. We all know this is not the case. While the products are very important, it is the human element of the program—the management, written operating procedures, and the actual labor—that makes the program work. To help you promote and educate about your products, talk to your vendors. You may find they have some insightful ideas to help you promote your program, and they may be eager to help you as well. While you do not want to serve as a PR representative for your supplier, when balanced correctly, you will find working together may be a positive experience for all. Show how you work together to make these programs happen. Demonstrate how easy it is, and be confident when you flaunt that bottom line. Ask yourself, do you have your “elevator speech” ready? In other words, do you have a concise, two or three-minute plug for your programs? If someone asks you about your programs (perhaps you may want to make a list of potential questions), can you answer them in a manner that quickly summarizes your success, your goals, and the “who, what, when, and why” of your future plans? scene What’s Next? Earth Day will be a perfect place and time to lay out your plans and goals for the coming year. Tell your audience where you are going, not just where you have been. Try your best to avoid falling into the trap of simply celebrating your successes. Earth Day is a great time to talk about now, but it is an even better time to talk about what is next. As you gather your promotional literature, imagine how it will read next year. Will you be celebrating LEED-EB certification? Are you introducing a Green fleet of delivery vehicles? Does your building plan to measure its carbon footprint and take measures to address these findings and offset emissions? Ask yourself, what other steps will you take over this year to ensure that your promotions in 2009 demonstrate long-term dedication towards the sustainability of your building? National Environmental Education Week Still stuck? We can look once again to educators and schools across our nation for ideas and insight as to what we can do now, and what we can do next. The National Environmental Education Foundation sponsors National Environmental Education Week, which takes place April 13-19, 2008. This year’s National Environmental Education Week will focus on a special Carbon Footprints theme. Participants will have ac(continued on page 25) April 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 9

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008 Contents Executive Corner Green Certification Issues The Green Benefit from the Roof Down Frugal Housekeeper LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Greening with Mats A Greener Approach to Laundry Feature Article 2008 Candidate Information The Green Scene 2008 Convention Information Get Into the "O-Zone" Product Highlights CEH/REH Members New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008

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