Lean and green office cleaning saves businesses time & money

That's according to new white paper ‘Go lean and green to save time and money’, which offers insights into the importance of a clean workplace and includes examples of how such a strategy can improve environmental impact, reduce costs and add to the bottom line.

Published by support services provider Emprise, the paper shows how a change in cleaning strategy delivered real results for one global workspace provider; and how commercial landlords and managing agents can also use a clean and well-presented portfolio to protect their assets, increase letting potential and improve rental income. 

Research shows most people feel more productive in a clean workspace, whilst over three-quarters of workers believe dirty offices have made them ill. Staff sick days cost UK business £29bn a year and with 131 million days lost to sickness absence in just one year, this can have significant financial implications for an organisation. The CBI says each absent employee costs their employer an average of £9755.

By introducing lean and green cleaning processes, healthier workplaces can be created whilst driving down operational costs, the paper states. According to the World Green Building Council, employees in green offices experience less stress, better health and are more productive. Lean cleaning involves assessing a workspace to understand what systems need to be implemented to meet the required specification then using tools such as daily plan setting, process mapping and working to specific needs to achieve the desired outcomes.

The paper adds that incorporating environmentally-friendly processes into the workplace can not only help an organisation to be seen in a more favourable light by staff and customers, but it can also significantly reduce energy expenditure and waste. 

It also describes the environmental and cost impact that implementing flow cleaning can have. In one example, a large office could reduce its energy consumption by 88%; while another multi-site workspace provider Emprise has worked with was able to increase its recycling levels to 85% by changing its cleaning and waste management strategy.

Landlords and managing agents can also use cleanliness as a means of competitive advantage to achieve and create an efficient and marketable property portfolio – a clean and energy-efficient building can improve its ability to let and demand a price premium, the paper says.

Commenting on the paper, Emprise said: "With so much importance being place on cleanliness, working in partnership with an outsourced supplier can deliver a number of advantages, including cost savings, guaranteed service levels, improved cleaning techniques and innovative new ideas.

"An effective cleaning strategy can provide organisations with added value as well as improve corporate social responsibility credentials. Lean and green cleaning can be a strong value proposition that impacts the bottom line through energy and waste reduction, increased staff productivity and customer loyalty."

To download the full white paper visit www.emprise.co.uk/corporatecleaning