faqs

Q: What is green cleaning?
A: Green cleaning means cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. A true green cleaning program includes the training of employees and management, use of non-toxic products, proper equipment, disposables and collaborative efforts by product manufacturers, cleaning staff, building owners, managers, tenants and visitors.

Q: Is green cleaning just another marketing ploy or is it truly beneficial?
A: The process used to clean a building as well as the products that are used can significantly impact the health and wellness of the individuals in the building as well as the lifespan of the items being cleaned. Utilizing green cleaning not only creates a healthier workplace, but ultimately helps to protect the environment. 

Q: Does implementing EBS Green™ cost more than standard cleaning?
A: Not necessarily. Today, because of the competitive marketplace and the demand for green products, most green cleaning chemicals & janitorial paper products are priced competitively with standard products.  This question becomes more difficult to analyze when we glance at green procedures & labor costs. 

	The price will probably be neutral if:
			Current cleaning is already adequately performed and no significant changes are made.
	The price will most likely increase if:
			Current cleaning frequencies or intensities aren’t adequate for maintaining the building.  We might have to increase costs because of cleaning frequencies and labor costs, but savings is realized in other areas.

Q: Can the EBS Green™ program help us earn LEED® certification points?
A:  Yes.  In conjunction with the EBS Green™ cleaning maintenance program, utilization of 3M’s environmentally preferable products, post-consumer janitorial paper products, environmentally preferable trash receptacle liners, walk off mats, proper machines and equipment can earn points towards your building becoming LEED® certified.

Q: Do green cleaning chemicals work?
A: Yes.  For over the past decade companies have poured millions into their research and development department on creating new and improved products.  3M’s Green Seal® certified products are actually current products from the standard line that passed the certification process.  These products do work very effectively.

Q: What is Green Seal®?
A:  Green Seal® provides science-based environmental certification standards that are credible, transparent, and essential in an increasingly educated and competitive marketplace.  Green Seal® works with manufacturers, industry sectors, purchasing groups and governments at all levels to "green" the production and purchasing chain. They utilize a life-cycle approach, which means they evaluate a product or service beginning with material extraction, continuing with manufacturing and use, and ending with recycling and disposal. Products only become Green Seal® certified after rigorous testing and evaluation, including on-site plant visits. Eastern Building Services is proud to use cleaning agents that are Green Seal® certified or Green Seal® recommended.

Q: Will going green affect our social status?
A:  People that care about this earth appreciate when a company handles itself responsibly. There is far more awareness today of the green philosophy and many more people are coming together to discuss better options with regards to improving the environment.  Society as a whole appreciates the efforts of companies to make the world a more stable place to live and going green is a step in the right direction.