Companies are increasingly focused on achieving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals in today’s business landscape. Commercial cleaning services can be pivotal in helping organizations meet these objectives by implementing sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact, enhance employee well-being, elevate brand reputation, and optimize supply chains.

RELATED: ESG and the commercial cleaning industry

The importance of reducing industrial environmental impact

Commercial cleaning services can significantly contribute to reducing a business’s environmental impact. Companies can minimize their carbon footprint and help protect the environment with eco-friendly cleaning products and practices. These products are often biodegradable, non-toxic, and free from harsh chemicals, reducing the release of harmful substances into the ecosystem. Commercial cleaning services can also utilize energy-efficient cleaning methods and equipment, reducing energy consumption and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Commercial cleaning services can also help businesses by minimizing their water usage with optimized cleaning processes and water-efficient technologies. This conservation effort reduces the strain on water resources and lowers the associated costs for businesses.

Moreover, implementing effective waste management strategies can substantially reduce landfill waste, promoting a circular economy and diverting valuable materials from becoming harmful pollutants. By embracing these sustainable practices, commercial cleaning services empower businesses to operate in an environmentally responsible manner, aligning with their ESG goals, and contributing to a healthier planet.

Improved health and well-being of communities, employees, and customers

Commercial cleaning services can help businesses improve the overall health and well-being of their customers, employees, and community by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants, improving indoor air quality, enhancing hygiene practices, and reducing the risk of illness and infection. By using eco-friendly cleaning products and practices, commercial cleaning services minimize the use of harsh chemicals that can cause damaging irritation to the human body.

Proper ventilation and air circulation improve indoor air quality and overall health. Additionally, commercial cleaning services prioritize maintaining a clean and hygienic environment by regularly disinfecting surfaces, equipment, and common areas, reducing the spread of germs and bacteria. This proactive approach helps create a healthier workplace, reducing illness-related absences and fostering a more productive and energized workforce.

Enhanced brand reputation in a world that values sustainability

Commercial cleaning services can help businesses enhance their brand reputation by demonstrating a commitment to ESG practices. This can lead to positive publicity and recognition for green initiatives, attracting environmentally conscious customers, employees, and investors. Building trust and loyalty among stakeholders is another benefit of having a strong ESG profile.

Customers and large corporations increasingly demand that organizations they choose to conduct business with operate responsibly and sustainably. Commercial cleaning services can help companies meet these demands by applying sustainable practices and demonstrating a commitment to ESG principles.

In addition, commercial cleaners can help businesses improve their relationships. By implementing sustainable practices, companies can reduce their environmental impact, leading to enhanced relationships with regulators and the community, benefiting businesses in several ways, such as reduced regulatory scrutiny and increased public support.

Commercial cleaning services can help businesses achieve ESG goals and improve their overall success. By implementing sustainable practices and demonstrating a commitment to ESG principles, companies can enhance their brand reputation, attract new customers and investors, improve their relationships, and minimize their environmental footprint.

Enterprise solutions for sustainable supply chains

Commercial cleaning services can help organizations achieve ESG goals by providing enterprise solutions for sustainable supply chains. This includes comprehensive waste management programs, energy-efficient cleaning equipment and practices, green cleaning products and techniques, supplier diversity programs, and fair labour practices.

For instance, comprehensive waste management programs can help businesses segregate, recycle, and compost waste, reducing landfill waste and the use of incinerators. Energy-efficient cleaning equipment and practices can help companies reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Green cleaning products and techniques can help them reduce their use of harmful chemicals and improve indoor air quality. Supplier diversity programs can help companies support small and diverse businesses. Fair labour practices can help enterprises guarantee workers are treated fairly and paid a living wage.

In addition to these direct environmental and social benefits, sustainable supply chain management can help businesses improve their financial performance. Companies can reduce operating costs by reducing waste, energy consumption, and the use of harmful chemicals. By supporting small and diverse companies, businesses can build stronger relationships with their suppliers and gain access to new markets. And, by ensuring that their workers are treated fairly, companies can improve employee morale and productivity.

In today’s competitive business environment, it is more important than ever for businesses to prioritize ESG goals. Commercial cleaning services can help companies achieve their ESG goals by providing enterprise solutions for sustainable supply chains. By implementing these solutions, businesses can reduce environmental impact, improve social responsibility, and enhance financial performance.

Corporations demand ESG accreditation during the RFP process

Corporations increasingly demand that their suppliers and partners have strong ESG credentials as part of their procurement processes. This is driven by several factors, including growing mindfulness toward the importance of ESG issues among consumers and investors, increased regulatory pressure on companies to improve their ESG performance, and the need to mitigate the risks associated with climate change and other ESG issues.

By requiring their suppliers and partners to meet specific ESG standards, corporations can help to ensure that their operations are sustainable and responsible. This can lead to several benefits, including improved brand reputation, reduced costs, and increased access to capital.

In addition, demanding ESG accreditation during the RFP process can help corporations identify and partner with suppliers and associates that share their values and commitment to sustainability. This leads to deeper relationships and more successful, long-term collaborations.

Some specific examples of practices that businesses might be looking for in their ESG partners include:

• Using green cleaning products and practices that reduce harmful chemicals and pollutants
• Introducing water conservation measures to reduce water usage
• Recycling and composting to reduce landfill waste
• Using energy-efficient cleaning equipment to reduce energy consumption
• Providing ongoing training and certification protocols to employees on sustainable cleaning practices

Sustainability is part of an intelligent business strategy

Companies prioritizing ESG as a core pillar within their value system are more likely to attract and retain top talent, improve their overall success, and be considered responsible and trustworthy by consumers and investors.

ESG is essential for businesses in today’s landscape. Why? First, it can help them reduce costs. For example, by implementing energy-efficient cleaning practices, businesses can significantly decrease energy use and save money on utility expenses.

Second, ESG can help businesses improve their brand reputation. Consumers are increasingly interested in doing business with companies committed to sustainability, and a strong ESG performance can help businesses attract and retain customers and staff.

Third, ESG can help businesses mitigate risks. For example, with a robust environmental management program, companies can reduce their risk of environmental accidents and liabilities.

In addition to the reputational and financial advantages, ESG can help businesses improve their performance. By creating a more sustainable workplace, companies can boost employee morale, professional pride, and productivity, while also reducing absenteeism and turnover. This can lead to increased profits and enhanced shareholder value.

Overall, ESG is an essential factor for smart businesses, and commercial cleaners can help make a difference. By prioritizing ESG, companies can improve their financial performance, reduce risks, enhance their brand reputation, and attract and retain top talent.

Peter J. Sheldon Sr. is the Chief Strategy Officer at Anago Cleaning Systems and facilitator of the company’s system wide ESG implementation program. Anago Cleaning Systems was recently awarded an EcoVadis Silver Medal Sustainability Rating, placing the brand in the top 25 per cent of companies within the facility services industry focused on ESG initiatives, based on a scoring system in environmental practices, ethics, labour, human rights and sustainable procurement.