Transcript Going Green - Packer Valley Chapter

1
From Green to Sustainable
Stephen Ashkin
President, The Ashkin Group LLC
Executive Director, Green Cleaning Network
2
Agenda
• Impacts of the Cleaning Industry
• From Green….
• ….to Sustainable
• Thoughts for you to consider
3
Cleaning Industry Impacts
• 6 Billion pounds of chemicals
– Most made from petroleum a valuable
but non-renewable natural resource
– Some are known to cause acute health
problems (i.e. burns, asthma, poisonous)
– Some are known to cause chronic health
problems (i.e. cancer)
• 4.5 Billion pounds of paper
– Requires cutting of 30 million trees
– Affects carbon sequestration
• 1 Billion pounds of equipment
– 40,000 garbage trucks clogging landfills
– Demands for new raw materials
4
Cleaning Industry Impacts
• Reduce risks to our workers
• Reduce risks to building occupants
– Improved performance
– Improved productivity
– Improved health
– Improved job satisfaction
• Improved community relations
5
Cleaning Industry Impacts
• We employ 4.2 million custodians
• 6% are injured on the job
• Occupational asthma is increasing
• Incidents of cancer are increasing
6
Environmental Working Group
10 Americans
7
Cleaning Industry Impacts
“Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world.
In fact,
it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
From Green…
Defining Green
8
From Green…
Defining Green
• …products and services that reduce
the health and environmental impacts
compared to similar products and
services used for the same purpose.”
Presidential Executive Order 13423
9
From Green…
Defining Green
• …products and services that reduce
the health and environmental impacts
compared to similar products and
services used for the same purpose.”
Presidential Executive Order 13423
• Green Continuum
10
From Green…
Defining Green Cleaning
• Concept / Approach to Cleaning
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Preventative maintenance
Pollution prevention
Continuous improvement
Just-in-time inventory
Six Sigma
Lean
Total Quality Management
• A “lens” that focuses on reducing
health and environmental impacts
11
From Green…
Defining Green Cleaning
12
Cleaning to protect health
without harming the environment
From Green…
Defining Green Cleaning
Roadmaps: Don’t reinvent the wheel
• LEED for Existing Buildings
• The Business of Green Cleaning
• Green Guide to Health Care
• Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning
13
From Green…
Defining Green Cleaning
• Green chemicals and hand soaps
• Carpet & Rug Institute for vacuums
• EPA for janitorial paper and liners
• Entry systems
• Training and SOPs
• Communications
Occupants
14
From Green…
Defining Green Cleaning
• Microfiber products
• Recycling products
• Durable buckets and carts
• Snow & ice melt
• Pest management products
15
From Green…
Defining Green Cleaning
• …products and services that reduce
the health and environmental impacts
compared to similar products and
services used for the same purpose.”
• Green Continuum
– Reduce toxicity
– Recycle content
– Durability
– Conserve chemicals
– Conserve water
– Conserve energy
16
…to Sustainable
17
It is NOT a Political Statement
Let’s NOT Argue About Science
…to Sustainable
18
…to Sustainable
Defining Sustainability
• …meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own
needs.
Brundtland Commission
Our Common Future
19
…to Sustainable
Defining Sustainability
• Triple Bottom-line
• 3
What
E’s happens to a
– Environmental
3-legged
stool if
– Economic
one
of the legs
– Equity
break?
• 3 P’s
• Does
it matter
– People
which
leg?
– Profits
– Planet
20
21
WHY GREEN BUILDINGS?
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
…to Sustainable
US Green Building Council
30
…to Sustainable
US Green Building Council
380 Certified & Registered in WI
31
…to Sustainable
32
What You Can Do
33
34
What You Can Do
With Your Cleaning Products
• “Certified”
• Reduced consumption
• Reduced toxicity
• Increased durability
• Energy efficient
• Water conservation
• Higher concentrations
• Reduced packaging
• “Take-back” programs
• Designed for reuse/remanufacture
What You Can Do
With Your People
• Training, training and more training
• Processes
• Measurements
– CIMS
– GS-42
• Diversity & Equal opportunity
• Occupational Health & Safety
• “Living Wage”
• Union activity
• Community
• Philanthropy
35
What You Can Do
In Your Buildings
• Green Cleaning
• Internal operations
– Office products
– Eliminate bottled water
– Recycling
• Fuel conservation
• Energy conservation
• Water conservation
• Disposal & Emissions
• Landscaping
• LEED certification
36
What You Can Do
Relative to Transportation
• Buses, Delivery, Service & Other Vehicles
– Biofuels
– Maintenance
– Reduce mileage
– Fleet options
– Idling
• Internal personnel
– Public transportation
– Carpooling / ridesharing
– Telecommuting
• Suppliers deliveries
– Increase minimum purchases
• Air travel
37
What You Can Do
In Your Own Life
• Food
– Eat less & Waste less
– Meatless Mondays
– Minimize bottled water
– Buy local --- support a farmers market
• Home
– Conduct an energy audit
– Install a programmable thermostat
– Unplug appliances when not in use
– Fill the washer & dishwasher
– Check the clothes dryer
– Turn down the water temperature
– Recycle
– Use Green Cleaning products
38
What You Can Do
In Your Own Life
• Vehicles
– Keep your cars longer
– Plan better to reduce trips
– Use your options
– Walk or use alternative transportation
– Air-up the tires
• Clothing
– Used clothes are more sustainable
– Know where your clothes were made
• Buy less stuff
• Invest with a conscious (not just returns)
39
What You Can Do
In Your Own Life
40
• When you eat out
– Support local restaurants
– Share dishes
– Take home leftovers --- and eat them
– Don’t waste food
• When you travel
– Turn off the HVAC when leaving the room
– Turn off the lights, TV and radio
– Don’t waste water
– Reuse towels and linens
– Adjust the window coverings
– Use public transportation
– Tip the housekeeper
What You Can Do
In Your Own Life
• Volunteer
• Be kind to a stranger
• Love your kids
We don’t inherit the earth from our parents,
we borrow it from our children.
41
Just Remember
What you do matters!
42
43
Thank You