A guide to greener washrooms
June 1st 2008

Matt Anderson, Managing Director of Green Planet Solutions (www.greenplanetsolutions.co.uk) looks at the importance of green cleaning and what businesses can do to amend their operations

For many businesses the main focal point of the cleaning regime is the company washroom. Most recognise the fact that they may be judged by the standard of their washrooms and a result many will invest in products or services that aim to improve hygiene and perception.

From the products used in their cleaning regimes to the equipment on hand for clients; every area of the washroom can be reviewed to help reduce environmental impact, cut costs and above all maintain a positive perception.

What are the alternatives to harmful chemicals?

The first step companies should take to reduce their impact on the environment should be to replace all cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals with microbiological alternatives such as the GPn range of products. GPn2 and GPn3 use friendly bacteria and enzymes to clean and unlike chemicals that evaporate within minutes, they continue to work 24 hours a day 365 days of the year, actively seeking out the bad bacteria.

The products contain unique stabilised bacteria and enzymes which digest organic waste, eliminating the source of bad odours such as ammonia from urine. Many companies that have implemented the GPn multi-purpose cleaners have also found that they can actually eliminate the need for up to five other cleaning products, enabling them to cut costs, waste and improve efficiency.

‘They are completely different to chemical cleaners so they do take some getting used to, but once you know how to use them correctly they make life so much easier. Not only do they reduce cleaning frequencies which frees up a lot of time, the GPn2 cleaner also reduces limescale build up.’

Theo Futter, Contract Manager for MacLellan

Green urinals improve hygiene and perception

One of the main causes of a negative washroom perception is the bad smell that can linger around the urinals; this is often caused by a build up of ammonia further down in the pipe work so no matter how clean the toilet is on the outside it still gives off a nasty odour. The solution to this problem is not only very effective; it is also environmentally friendly and can potentially save a business £thousands on water bills.

The eco-cube requires no regular flushing water; it consists of a small blue cube that is placed into the bowl of the urinal and left to dissolve.

Each eco-cube contains billions of friendly microbes that are slowly released into the waste pipes, where they initially get to work by digesting lime scale and uric scale, therefore eliminating the malodours. Because the eco-cube works 24/7, the concentration of activity of the friendly microbes is very high, ensuring the pipe work is always kept clear and clean.

‘We had 30 water management systems installed across the centre which all require just one flush per day when combined with the eco-cube, over one year this is estimated to save us £30,000 in water rates which equates a very worthwhile investment.’

Mike Smith Head of Building Services Manchester Arndale Centre

Recently another eco-friendly urinal system has been brought to the market that provides an odour lock to prevent foul odours entering the washroom from the drains. The Ureco is a urinal sleeve which is fitted into the outlet of a urinal and contains a bio enzyme which is slowly released in order to dissipate the uric salt and lime scale which can harbour lipase. Unlike normal drain cleaning chemicals, the Ureco bio enzyme is completely eco-friendly and its active enzyme is more than 1000 times more effective than current top selling products.

Equipment can be green too

Traditionally hand dryers have always been practical but generally unsightly and inefficient; however new technologies have improved both perception and performance of existing designs to create a new breed of cold air dryers such as the Veltia.

The stylish Veltia works twice as fast as traditional models and has no heating element; instead hands are dried by friction generated by the speed of air passing through holes within the unique ergonomically designed drying chamber. The drying cycle is only 10-15 seconds making it more energy efficient than the conventional dryer. The health and safety issues regarding wet slippery floors associated with conventional dryers has also been addressed as the excess water from the hands is collected in a drip tray at the bottom of the dryer rather than be spread over the surrounding area where the hands are dried.

‘As an established independent supplier to the specifier market we can provide honest and unbiased advice to our customers. We have found the Veltia to be a groundbreaking product in terms of environmental considerations and the cost benefit. It is also first-rate for the end user; it is fast, hygienic and quieter than comparable hand dryers.’

Andy Howell, Product Development Manager of the Wandsworth Group

What next for Green Planet Solutions?

Since its launch Green Planet Solutions has revolutionised the washroom sector, brining innovative and effective solutions to market and helping companies to reduce their environmental impact. As the company continues to bring the next generation of washroom solutions to market it is also working closely with manufacturers to minimise the amount of packaging and waste that is created through the use of their products.

‘From September all daily cleaning products that MacLellan uses for its client cleaning contracts will be supplied by Green Planet Solutions in line with the company’s commitment to go chemical free and to operate in a more eco-friendly way. Working in partnership MacLellan is also managing to reuse and recycle a large majority of its packaging and Green Planet Solutions is constantly coming up with new ways to make this area of the business even more sustainable.’

Jane Speyers, Divisional Director of MacLellan Cleaning

In the coming months the company will also continue its search to bring new eco-friendly products and washroom equipment to market and will also continue to grow their impressive range of partnerships with manufacturers, janitorial supply companies, washroom companies, facilities management companies and cleaning companies.

‘Interserve has been working in partnership with Green Planet Solutions for two years now; to bring sustainable and innovative products to the business at a time when the environmental considerations have never been more important. Green Planet Solutions are continuously on the lookout for new innovative and sustainable products to add to their portfolio, and in turn assisting us to proactively innovate for our clients.’

Jon Crump, Procurement Director for Interserve FM

For more information on all of Green Planet Solutions’ innovative products or if you are interested in becoming a partner or distributor please visit www.greenplanetsolutions.co.uk or call 0870 4211700.

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