Q. Will buying green cost me more money? How can I recoup my investment?
A. The majority of green cleaning products on the market are as competitive as those that you are currently purchasing. Cost savings can be generated through reduced consumption of product and by using more efficient equipment and cleaning methods. We have had several customers convert the majority of their cleaning operations and supplies at no additional cost. Further, the environmental improvements that you will be creating will benefit your employees and promote goodwill with your customers.
Q. Can you show me that the Green products work at least as well as their non-green counterparts?
A. Manufacturers have made improvements to their products over the past few years. If you have encountered this problem in the past then you should consider products that have been certified by Green Seal or Environmental Choice. Products certified by these organizations have stringent performance standards and are performance tested. Perhaps we can provide you with some samples of green cleaning products and you could give them a trial run.
Q. What are these products (foodservice) made from? Are they harmless, odorless and non-toxic?
A. The majority of our foodservice products are made from natural material such as corn, renewable fibers such as grass, reed or sugarcane, or contain a high percentage of recycled fiber. These products have low or no odor and since they come from the natural environment toxicity is not an issue.
Q. I'm very busy. Why should I make time for this?
A. There are several quick and inexpensive ways to get started and gain consensus within your company. Not every aspect of green cleaning must be implemented at the same time. For example, you could begin with a very simple recycling program or with a few environmentally-friendly products and progress from there. Would you be willing to let me conduct a site survey of your building to generate some opportunities that would allow you to start your green transformation? Many
businesses are embracing the Green movement and it could be a short time before you are requested to start a program. Additionally, most of the upfront work is done by us, so at least we can evaluate your products and procedures and provide recommendations.
Q. How do I get my customers and/or employees aware that I'm making all of this effort “Going Green?”
A. A simple email or newsletter is a great way to outline your goals and talk about your successes. Many manufacturers have already developed marketing materials such as stickers or table tents that explain why the product is being used and how it is beneficial. These can be strategically placed right in front of your customer where they will be sure to see it. Other ways could be including information on your web site, monthly statements, business cards/stationery and incorporating it as part of an answering machine message.
Q. I'd like to turn my facility over to green. Do you have a complete line of products for me so that I can do this?
A. The simple answer is yes. Not only can we provide a green alternative for almost any janitorial product and several foodservice products that you are currently buying, we can also introduce new practices and procedures to streamline and improve your current methods. Further, we may be able to help you reduce the number of items that you use because of innovative products that can perform multiple purposes.
Q. Would you please explain to me what you mean when you say “Green Cleaning Program” or “Green Products”?
A. We are talking about environmentally-friendly products and procedures. We are talking about creating a healthier facility for you and your employees, higher productivity, and a positive image for you and your organization. By reviewing your current products and processes we can look for opportunities to introduce more environmentally-friendly products and procedures that will generate a positive return on your investment. If you will allow me, I'd like to review Eastern Bag & Paper's “Building A Sustainable Future Product
Guide” with you to help you better understand the how's and why's of going Green and its importance to your business.
Q. As a foodservice or maintenance manager I believe in the Green program, but how do I “sell it” to my company's management?
A. Let's begin with a site survey of your facility and operations. From there we can evaluate some simple and worthwhile changes of products or procedures that will be sure to get some attention. We can hold a meeting with management to discuss our ideas and the benefits of going green. We can ask for them to allow us to pilot a project and give them a list of options. Once you have their approval for our simple changes and we show them successful results, we can begin to gain management's confidence and move on to larger projects.
You should focus on health, safety, productivity, environment, and the positive image that going green can provide. You can utilize our “Building A Sustainable Future Product
Guide” brochure and the information and resources contained therein to gain their interest and support.
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Q. “Green” is just another fad. Give it another year and no one will be interested.
A. Going Green has been a fad in the past and we can certainly understand your concern. Today we are seeing a greater commitment in many areas of the community. Governments (federal, state, and local) as well as School Systems are creating mandatory regulations that green products be purchased where ever possible. Business owners are beginning to realize the benefits of going green. Customers/employees are inquiring or in some cases demanding green products and procedures. Major manufactures are developing, marketing, and standing behind green product lines at a significant investment. Studies have been conducted that have demonstrated the benefits of using Green products and cleaning procedures-better school test scores, fewer sick days and higher levels of productivity. We would like to help you stay ahead of the curve and be responsible for the success of your organization's green efforts.
Q. How will Green Cleaning Benefit this
facility and its occupants?
A. Green Cleaning is a system that looks at the
entire cleaning operation of a facility.
By purchasing GREEN products and
implementing a Green Cleaning program the
facility can benefit by reducing operation
costs, improving indoor air quality, increasing
productivity, improving aesthetics, and
reducing the impact on the environment and
non-renewable resources.
Q. What is the USGBC?
A. The USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) was
established in 1993 and is a
national non-profit organization dedicated to
transforming buildings into environmentally
friendly, high performance, healthy,
profitable structures. The USGBC and its
more than 10,000 members, which, range
from building owners and operators to
architects to building product manufactures,
work together to develop industry standards,
programs, guidelines, educational tools,
and policies that promote a sustainable
future. Why build GREEN? The built
environment has a far-reaching impact on
our natural environment, economy, health,
and productivity. By adhering to USGBC
standards and practices your workplace
can maximize economic and environmental
performance.
Q. What is LEED?
A. LEED, which, stands for Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design is a
voluntary standard that emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site
development, water consumption, energy
efficiency, materials selection, and indoor
environmental quality. With its unique
approach, the LEED system has become
the national benchmark for GREEN building
and cleaning. This comprehensive system
offering proven standards, training, technical
assistance, and professional accreditation
is an effective means of driving return on
investment over time.
Q. Does a product have to be Green Seal
certified in order to be eligible for
points toward LEED certification?
A. NO, a product does not have to be Green
Seal certified to in order to be eligible for
points toward LEED certification. Products
must meet LEED requirements and standards
in order to be evaluated for points. It is also
important to understand that the USGBC will
look at different cleaning products and processes as
a whole (i.e. percent of green paper goods
purchased, equipment used, documentation
of productivity, consumption, etc.) to
evaluate the number of points awarded.
(Visit the USGBC web site and select LEED-EB
to view details on certification process or contact your Sales Representative)
Q. Does my facility need to be LEED certified?
A. No, as a customer you can reap the benefits
of Green Cleaning and its practices by
simply following LEED recommendations and
buying environmentally friendly products.
However, many government facilities, school
systems, and other organizations are making
Green Cleaning and the LEED-EB program
a mandatory practice. If your organization
or facility decides to go Green or enroll in
the LEED-EB program you can be ahead
of the curve and an added resource to the
organization, facility, and its occupants.
Q. How do I acquire more information
regarding Green Cleaning and
Purchasing?
A. Contact your Eastern Bag & Paper sales
representative and ask for our
“Building A Sustainable Future Product
Guide”. Our sales force can answer your
questions and work with you to develop a
Green Cleaning program for your facility.
Sales reps can also provide an Eastern Bag
& Paper Product Guide, which includes a
list of products that are Green Seal certified
or meet LEED-EB requirements and will aid
in implementing and achieving a Green
Cleaning program for your facility.
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