If you’ve been in the cleaning industry for any length of time, you know more and more companies are going green.

Most government contracts have a green clause in their requests-for-proposals, many larger companies require some type of green certification, and many individuals are more environmentally conscious.

Some cleaning companies may see this as another obstacle or hassle, but smart business owners see the opportunity.

Go green, make green

As business becomes more competitive in general, contracts are being awarded to commercial cleaning companies who demonstrate better qualifications, higher standards, and more employee training than their competitors.

By presenting your green credentials - for yourself, other employees, and/or company-wide - you’ll put yourself ahead of your rivals and show your clients that you’re more prepared overall for their business.

Another financial benefit to going green is the opportunity to bid on jobs and contracts which require some type of green certification. By already having completed the training and certification, you can confidently bid on the job without worrying about how closely the reviewers will scrutinize your qualifications.

A third benefit is being ahead of the curve. The green movement isn’t a fad which will soon die out. Sustainable practices and eco-sensitive practices are gaining momentum and it’s not something any business can afford to ignore - especially janitorial services firms. By becoming green certified now, you’ll be ahead of the game as your competitors struggle to keep up with the new requirements more and more companies will be adhering to.

How to become green certified

The process to become green certified is relatively straight-forward. The first step is to decide on a third-party, verifiable certification company. You can start by simply searching on the internet. Search results of potentially reputable companies include Green Clean Certified (www.greencleancertified.com), Green Clean Institute Certification (www.greencleaninstitute.com), and Green Seal (www.greenseal.org).

After deciding on the certification you want to pursue, you have to decide on which level you want to be certified. Most have individual levels in addition to company levels, dependent on the company size. Review the requirements carefully, as some individual certifications are not allowed to be presented in an official bid or quote as proof of green certification.

Individual certifications are usually just under $1,000. Company-level certifications are usually $2,500 up to $10,000 or so.

Don’t look at the certification as a cost. Consider it an investment in employee training, in improved marketing, and in better odds at landing contracts.

It’s true - going green makes green.