Why Your ESG Cleaning Strategy Is the Missing Link in Sustainable Building Management

The ESG pillars, Environment, Social, Governance, have become essential across the real estate, institutional, and commercial sectors. They help evaluate an organization’s overall performance, beyond just financial results.

However, one key area is often overlooked even though it directly impacts all three ESG pillars: cleaning services.

By transforming daily hygiene and sanitation practices, organizations can reduce their environmental footprint, recognize frontline staff, and improve operational traceability. Here’s why integrating hygiene into your ESG strategy deserves your full attention.

Environment: Cleaning as a Lever for Ecological Performance

Cleaning operations can have a significant environmental impact: excessive use of chemicals, high water consumption, and fixed schedules that don’t reflect actual space usage. Yet, there are concrete ways to minimize this impact.

From Systematic Cleaning to Data-Driven Maintenance

For a long time, cleaning routines were established by default: daily cleaning, automatic disinfection, regular rounds in every restroom. This approach is outdated especially in a world of remote work and partially occupied buildings.

Today, real-time monitoring technologies allow organizations to tailor cleaning frequency to actual space usage. With sensors, smart check-in systems, or digital platforms, it becomes possible to:

• Reduce cleaning in underused areas (e.g., unused meeting rooms)

• Increase cleaning in high-traffic spaces

• Lower water and chemical consumption

🧠 The result: a more efficient and sustainable approach without compromising service quality.

Choose Low-Impact Cleaning Products

Certified cleaning products (e.g., EcoLogo, Green Seal, Safer Choice) are designed to limit toxicity, reduce VOC emissions, and protect occupant health.

📊 According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using these products can reduce indoor VOCs by up to 62%.

Opt for Durable Equipment

Eco-friendly cleaning also relies on choosing sustainable, reusable tools:

• Washable microfiber cloths

• Automatic dosing systems to avoid product waste

• Low-water, energy-efficient scrubbers

  
  

Social: Hygiene and Staff Recognition

Cleaning teams play a crucial but often invisible role. They ensure comfort, hygiene safety, and operational continuity. Recognizing their contributions is a major social issue.

Training to Build Professionalism

Ongoing training helps:

• Reduce occupational risks (e.g., MSDs, hazardous exposure)

• Standardize practices to meet high standards

• Encourage retention and internal mobility

  
  

Professional associations like the CHHA (Canadian Healthcare Housekeepers Association)  offer accredited training in healthcare and general cleaning sectors.

🧾 A study by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) shows that companies investing in training and recognition see a 25% increase in retention rates.

Giving Frontline Workers a Voice

With feedback stations, mobile apps, or participatory audits, teams can:

• More easily report issues or anomalies

• Suggest improvements

• Receive positive feedback from occupants

  
  

This two-way communication fosters a culture of recognition and engagement, reflected in both service quality and work environment.

Governance: Traceability, Transparency, and Compliance

Responsible governance requires demonstrating that operations are well-planned, monitored, and traceable.

Automating Task Traceability

With technologies like NFC, QR codes, or motion sensors, each task can be:

• Timestamped

• Geolocated

• Assigned to a specific employee

  
  

All data is compiled into automated reports, useful for internal tracking, audits, or complaint resolution.

Supporting ESG and Environmental Certifications

Smart data can help support:

• Certifications such as BOMA BEST, LEED, or WELL

• Contractual quality audits

• Annual ESG reports by including objective hygiene, safety, and efficiency data

  
  

Spot Issues Before They Become Incidents

Data analysis can also help detect:

• Underperforming zones

• Missed or delayed interventions

• Recurring issues affecting occupant experience

  
  

This preventive approach strengthens service reliability and reassures stakeholders.

How to Integrate Cleaning into Your ESG Strategy

Here are the key steps toward smart, sustainable cleaning:

1. Assess your current practices (schedules, products, methods)

2. Implement tech tools (sensors, smart check-in systems, dashboards)

3. Train your teams on new procedures and ESG objectives

4. Analyze collected data to adjust frequency and optimize resources

5. Showcase your results in ESG reports and communications

   
   

Conclusion: A Tangible, Measurable Opportunity

Building hygiene is not only an operational pillar it’s a strategic lever. By integrating it into your ESG plan, you act on all three fronts:

• Reduce your environmental footprint

• Maximize your social impact

• Strengthen governance and compliance

  
  

Most importantly, you provide visible, measurable proof that your sustainability commitment goes beyond words.

👉 Ready to transform your practices? Contact the ValkarTech team to schedule an ESG-Hygiene diagnostic. Together, let’s make your operations a model of sustainability and performance.