The Hurley Group
Green Cleaning Program
In all Hurley service contracts; there are standard practices put into place for a healthier and more environmentally friendly work environment. These include our choice of chemicals, the use of paper products and plastic bags with a high degree of recycled content, the use of more efficient equipment and the ability to increase the efficiency of waste management programs. The table below lists portions of our program with brief descriptions following.
|
Products
|
Processes
|
Equipment
|
|
· Cleaning Product Use
· Floor Care Products
· Paper & Plastic Liners
· Microfibre Towels
· New Cleaning Products
· Floor Matting
· Exterior Maintenance Products
|
· Waste Management
· Restroom Care
· Touch point initiatives
· Use & Care of Microfibre Towels
· Vulnerable Populations
· LEED & BOMA Go Green
|
· Vacuums
· Hard Floor Care Equipment
· Carpet Extraction Equipment & Products
|
Products
Cleaning Product Use
Hurley uses five standard chemicals that take into consideration a healthier workplace including:All of these products can assist our clients in satisfying their needs for a healthier work environment and comprise approximately 80% of the cleaning products that our organization employs.
Floor Scrubber Chemical Portion Control
Equipment partnership with Tennant allows Hurley to deliver environmental stewardship of floor scrubber chemicals with FaST® soaps – 70% less water in/out than traditional chemical mixtures, 90% less chemical usage, no touch dilution and mixing and less chemical residual on floor improving both air quality and slip and fall liability.
Hurley uses environmentally preferable floor finishes that require less frequent stripping, reapplication and a lesser amount of product to produce desired results. Only products that meet the most stringent environmental guidelines are used.
|
For every 2,500 cases of Ecologo certified paper supplies used:
§ 500 trees are preserved
§ 3,000lbs of landfill are protected
§ 300,000 gallons of water saved
|
Hurley recommends the use of post consumer recycled content in paper products and plastic liners. In conjunction with our partner suppliers, Hurley provides audits and make suggestions regarding paper and plastic needs.
Hurley also recommends the use of fully certified chlorine-free bleached pulp combined with recycled fiber such as Cascades’ North River brand of products. These paper hand towels and bathroom tissues are Ecologo certified through the Government of Canada’s environmental choice program.
Microfibre Towels
One of the more efficient ways of cleaning includes the use of microfibre products. A successful microfibre cleaning program must employ on-site laundering facilities. Customers must be willing and able to provide sufficient space and utilities for Hurley to install a high efficiency washer and dryer.
New Cleaning Products
Hurley continually seeks new cleaning products that provide a healthier work environment and have minimal environmental impact. We introduce these products to our customers and test them for efficacy on site, prior to making wholesale changes. Products include:
· Hydrogen peroxide based products
· Citrus based products
· Bio technological cleaning agents & enzyme based products
Floor Matting
Matting is the first opportunity to trap dirt and dust particles, preventing them from entering your location. Hurley provides a variety of matting options as a part of our comprehensive service program. In addition to environmental benefits, appropriate matting programs help create safer workplaces.
Environmental benefits or purchased matting (compared to rental mats) include:
· Reduced transportation (diesel fuel engines power most delivery trucks)
· Reduced washing & treating mats (chemical agents, increased waste water)
Exterior Maintenance Products
Hurley uses snow and ice removal compounds that do not include sodium chloride. We currently recommend Proven Ice Melt, a potassium chloride based product. We also use pressure-washing chemicals that are manufactured with environmentally preferable components or simply use water.
Processes
Waste Management
Hurley actively supports and works to improve our customers’ recycling efforts. Achieving diversion rate goals can only be reached through a partnership between Hurley, customers, and their locations and visitors.
Using in-house expertise, Hurley evaluates and provides recommendations to improve waste management programs. Programs and associated goals are clearly articulated to all parties with associated benefits to the environment clearly defined.
Educational Recommendations & Improvement Opportunities
Hurley’s Manager of Environmental Services visits customer sites and makes recommendations on the recycling education of clients and visitors. Additionally, opportunities for improvement in diversion rates are sought.
Examples of methods that increase the efficiency of waste movement and increase personal safety include:
· Colour coded bags
· Covered bins
· Abrasion resistant gloves to increase recycling efforts
Restroom Care
Our cleaning expectation is for “show quality” in all restroom facilities. Equipment is colour coded to prevent cross contamination, daily schedules are established to maintain quality and employees are trained and monitored to ensure compliance with our standards.
Touch point initiatives
Hurley provides Virox 5 Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant a broad spectrum-sanitizing wipe to further prevent cross contamination within sites.
Use & Care of Microfibre Towels
Hurley uses Microfibre Towels in our existing cleaning systems and procedures. These towels are very effective cleaning tools that have several advantages over regular cleaning towels/rags.
|
Traditional Towels
|
Microfibre Towels
|
|
· Spread out much of the dirt and bacteria that they come into contact with, absorbing as little as 30%
|
· Use static electricity when dry & capillary action when wet to absorb dirt & bacteria
· Absorb as much as 99% on a given surface
· Help prevent spreading of viruses & bacteria (i.e. SARS)
|
|
· Require machine washing using detergent, bleaches or fabric softeners
|
· Reduce the use of and need for, cleaning chemicals
· Engineered to handle most daily cleaning tasks using only water
· Release a high percentage of the dirt absorbed by rinsing them in warm water - saves use of bleaches & softeners towels
|
|
· Single colour choice - difficult to tell its prior use
|
· Available in four different colours for use in different tasks
· Our staff avoids cross contamination using towels for specific functions
|
|
· Considered “disposable”, short lifespan
|
· Effective lifespan of 2 years
|
Vulnerable Populations
Air quality and exposure to chemicals and harmful bacteria are concerns for certain individuals, such as pregnant women, children and asthmatics.
Minimizing Exposure to Chemicals & Harmful Bacteria
To minimize harmful exposure, Hurley uses colour coded cleaning equipment. This includes mops, mop handles, cleaning rags and mop buckets.
Equipment used for cleaning washrooms is one colour, food court areas another and so forth, so that individuals would not be exposed to contamination from other areas of your facility.
Air Quality Impacts
To minimize air pollutants from cleaning activities, Hurley uses a variety of methods, including CRI approved equipment and vacuums with HEPA air filters.
US Operations, Head Office Boston
300 TradeCentre, Suite 4800, Woburn MA 01801-1883
T: 1.877.4.HURLEY (448.7539)
“A LEED GOLD CERTIFIED BUILDING”