Why sustainable cleaning is essential for businesses and how professional services help meet ESG targets
In recent years, sustainability has become a top priority for all types of businesses committed to meeting their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Meeting ESG goals requires different approaches and implementing strategies and processes across your business. However, one area that many companies continually overlook when doing so is their cleaning practices.
Switching to green cleaning improves environmental impact, employee well-being, and compliance with ESG standards. This guide explores what ESG goals are, the benefits of green cleaning, and why professional cleaning services are the best solution.
1. What are ESG goals and why do they matter?
ESG goals can be broken down into three distinct categories:
- Environmental – How a business reduces its carbon footprint and environmental impact.
- Social – Employee well-being, diversity, and community engagement.
- Governance – Ethical business practices, compliance, and leadership transparency.
Ethical businesses set ESG goals and adjust the way they do business to try to meet and improve upon them.
The rise of ESG in the workplace
Increasing regulatory pressure on businesses to report ESG efforts has resulted in more and more businesses striving to align themselves with ESG best practices. Regulatory bodies such as TCFD have been established to help develop recommendations on the types of information companies should disclose to help investors, lenders, and insurance underwriters accurately assess and price climate-related risks. The task force reporting requirements mandate that certain companies disclose climate-related financial information in line with TCFD recommendations.
The goal is to improve transparency on how climate change impacts businesses and help investors, lenders, and insurers make informed decisions. Businesses have also become aware of the consumer market’s preference to buy from companies that are openly and proactively committed to sustainability, and a huge 89% of investors say they consider a company’s ESG goals when making decisions about whether to invest.
Whether due to increased pressure or other motivating factors, 91% of investors consider ESG factors in decision-making.
How office cleaning contributes to ESG goals
Office cleaning practices can contribute towards ESG goals in several ways:
- Environmental impact – Switching to green cleaning products reduces waste and pollution.
- Social responsibility – Healthier office environments benefit employee well-being.
- Governance and compliance – Green cleaning supports corporate sustainability policies.
By hiring a cleaning company that has the knowledge, equipment and means to clean green, companies can obtain an easy win when it comes to boosting their sustainability credentials.
The environmental impact of traditional office cleaning
Harsh chemicals and indoor air pollution
Many traditional cleaning agents contain harsh chemicals. These chemicals can damage surfaces and floors and be released into the air when used. Many conventional cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that reduce indoor air quality, and this can not only be detrimental to the environment but also impact employee health.
The EPA reports that VOCs in cleaning products can be 2–5 times higher indoors than outdoors, so using these types of cleaning products can make a significantly negative impact. For companies that are looking to align with ESG goals, using environmentally safe cleaning products can be a quick, low-effort win that makes a big difference.
Plastic waste from conventional cleaning
Single-use plastics in disposable wipes, packaging, and chemical containers are another easily overlooked issue when it comes to office cleaning.
Waste statistics: The UK produces 2.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste annually (WRAP). Items such as screen cleaning wipes could be replaced with microfibre cloths and environmentally friendly solutions. Businesses should also try to invest in recycled goods and have a robust recycling policy themselves.
Water and energy waste in cleaning practices
Cleaning methods that are not focused on being as environmentally sound as possible may also use excessive water thanks to inefficient methods. Not utilising the most cutting-edge tools and techniques can also cause inefficiencies and use excess energy. Older models of cleaning equipment, such as old vacuum cleaners, will consume more energy than their eco-friendly counterparts.
What is green cleaning?
Defining green cleaning
Green cleaning is about employing sustainable cleaning practices that are put in place to reduce chemical waste and environmental pollution. Green cleaning practices use biodegradable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly products as well as the most environmentally friendly methods to ensure that any damage to the environment is kept to a minimum.
Key elements of green cleaning
The basic elements of green cleaning involve using:
- Non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning solutions.
- Microfibre cloths and reusable cleaning tools to reduce waste.
- Energy-efficient cleaning equipment.
Certification and standards for green cleaning
If you clean your office yourself, investing in green cleaning products is the first step to help ensure your cleaning practices are aligned with your ESG goals. Ecolabels to look for include the EU Ecolabels, the Green Seal, or a B Corp Certification logo. When looking for a cleaning company, check out what they say about sustainability and commitment to green cleaning on their website and any awards or certifications associated with sustainability they have achieved.
The business benefits of green cleaning
Supporting workplace health and wellbeing
There are many benefits to paying attention to how environmentally friendly your office cleaning processes are. With fewer harsh chemicals and allergens, indoor air quality improves and helps keep your team healthy, with reduced exposure to toxins. In fact, employees working in green-certified offices experience 30% fewer headaches and respiratory symptoms.
Reducing costs through sustainable cleaning
Sustainable cleaning can also have a positive impact on your bottom line. Efficient cleaning methods reduce water and energy consumption. Using durable, reusable materials saves on long-term costs. Minimising sick days increases productivity and reduces absenteeism. All these factors keep costs down and help your business remain productive and profitable.
Enhancing corporate reputation
Consumers and clients prefer companies committed to sustainability, with evidence suggesting that 85% of consumers prefer to buy from sustainable brands. Therefore, by committing to ESG goals and including green cleaning as one of them, businesses can benefit from improved brand trust and loyalty as well as attract eco-conscious customers.
How green cleaning helps achieve ESG goals
Environmental impact: reducing carbon footprint
Switching to eco-friendly cleaning products reduces harmful emissions. Companies that commit to choosing green cleaning products and environmentally friendly, efficient, and less wasteful cleaning methods will naturally move towards their ESG goals. In fact, studies have suggested that offices adopting green cleaning can reduce their CO2 emissions year after year.
Social impact: supporting employee wellbeing
Poor indoor air quality can significantly impact employee health, productivity, and overall workplace well-being. Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that release VOCs into the air, which can cause headaches, respiratory issues, and allergic reactions.
Green cleaning uses eco-friendly, non-toxic products that reduce airborne pollutants, leading to a fresher, cleaner indoor environment. Improved air quality can help prevent “sick building syndrome”, where employees experience illness symptoms due to indoor environmental factors. A cleaner, irritant-free workspace means fewer absences due to respiratory conditions and allergies, creating a healthier, more comfortable working environment.
Traditional cleaning chemicals can trigger asthma, skin irritations, and other health concerns, leading to higher rates of absenteeism. Switching to green cleaning products eliminates exposure to harmful substances. Additionally, a clean, fresh-smelling office, free from strong chemical odours, enhances employee comfort and satisfaction.
When staff feel that their employer prioritises their wellbeing by using safer cleaning methods, it boosts morale and productivity. A healthier workplace also fosters a positive company culture, as employees appreciate sustainability initiatives aligning with their values.
Governance: meeting sustainability regulations
Green cleaning aligns with ESG reporting frameworks
Sustainability is a growing priority in corporate governance, and businesses are increasingly required to align with ESG standards. Green cleaning supports these efforts by minimising environmental impact and promoting sustainable business practices.
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) helps organisations improve environmental performance by reducing waste and energy consumption—green cleaning directly supports this by lowering chemical use and improving indoor air quality.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a widely recognised standard for assessing a building’s sustainability. Using eco-friendly cleaning products contributes to BREEAM certification by improving indoor environmental quality and reducing pollution.
By implementing a green cleaning strategy, businesses can demonstrate compliance with ESG reporting frameworks, making them more attractive to investors and stakeholders focused on sustainability.
Helps businesses meet UK and EU sustainability targets
As the UK and EU tighten environmental regulations, businesses must ensure their operations comply with evolving sustainability policies. Green cleaning helps companies meet various legal and voluntary targets, including:
- The UK’s Net Zero Strategy – Reducing carbon emissions from commercial activities, including the use of chemicals and waste disposal.
- The EU Green Deal – Encouraging sustainable business practices and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.
- UK Environment Act 2021 – Establishing legally binding targets to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
By adopting green cleaning practices, businesses ensure compliance with these regulations and enhance their corporate reputation as environmentally responsible organisations. This proactive approach can also provide a competitive edge, appealing to clients and partners who prioritise sustainability.
Practical green cleaning tips for offices
Whether hiring a cleaning company or doing your office cleaning in-house, some practical tips can help ensure that your business is cleaning in a way that minimises environmental damage:
- Use plant-based, biodegradable cleaners.
- Avoid products with ammonia, chlorine, and artificial fragrances.
- Replace disposable wipes with washable microfibre cloths.
- Choose refillable cleaning products.
- Use HEPA-filtered vacuums to reduce airborne pollutants.
- Implement daytime cleaning schedules to reduce electricity use.
- Green workplace policies – recycling bins, waste reduction, and energy-saving initiatives.
- Educate staff on sustainable cleaning habits.
Why hiring a professional green cleaning service is the best option
A professional cleaning company will not only have the right knowledge and expertise to leave your offices looking great, but they’ll also have trained staff and provide all the cleaning products and equipment themselves. Hiring a reputable cleaning company that specialises in sustainable and environmentally friendly cleaning can help ensure that best practices for reducing environmental impact are employed and that alignment with ESG goals and regulatory requirements is met as part of the contract.
Outsourcing cleaning can also be highly cost-effective. It saves businesses time, effort, and operational costs and voids the need for in-house staff to manage cleaning supplies and schedules.
When choosing a cleaning company to work with, consider the following:
- Do they use certified eco-friendly cleaning products?
- What sustainable practices do they follow?
- Do they have experience with ESG compliance?
A reputable, professional company should be able to offer you tailored cleaning services that align with specific ESG targets.
Green cleaning is the future of sustainable workplaces
Green cleaning is more than a trend – it’s a key component of corporate sustainability. By switching to eco-friendly cleaning, you can ensure that your business meets its ESG goals, improves its employee health, and reduces costs.
Hiring a professional green cleaning company ensures efficiency, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Are you considering hiring a green cleaning company to help move towards achieving your ESG goals? The team at Alliance Cleaning today can create a customised plan that supports your ESG goals and makes your workplace healthier, happier and more sustainable! Contact us today.
