Green Cleaning Trends to Watch in 2012

New Year, New Predictions
The beginning of each year is a natural time to take a quick look back and take inventory of what has happened in the preceding year, and then attempt to make some educated predictions for what might be expected to happen in the coming year.  And since sustainability remains such a vital topic of interest, it makes sense for us to identify some green cleaning trends to watch for in 2012.

While predicting what will happen in the future is obviously not an exact science, it is possible to pay attention to the market and observe emerging patterns and trends in order to make an informed prognostication.

Look into the Crystal Ball with the Ashkin Group
Stephen Ashkin, CEO of Sustainable Dashboard Tools, LLC, and President of The Ashkin Group, is an industry consultant who has just posted his “Annual Trends and Directions” on sustainability issues in several industry publications.



Ashkin, recognized as an industry expert on Green Cleaning, has been offering his annual trends and directions for several years.



“One prediction I am most proud of is when I stated about three years ago that I did not think the Green/sustainable movement would suffer significantly due to the economy,” he says. “And so far, that has proved to be the case.”



What to Watch for in 2012
So what does Ashkin foresee for 2012? Below are his ten predictions for the coming year:



1. It’s the economy. The economy will continue to be the focus, but many organizations will slowly start hiring and expanding. While conditions won’t return to pre-recession levels, it will be a better year for companies in the cleaning industry.



2. LEED shakes up the market. The new LEED revisions will be introduced in early 2012 and the improvements will accelerate its adoption. As facilities seek help understanding the changes, jansan distributors will continue to help customers.



3. Energy is king. The cost of energy will increase in 2012. Jansan distributors and service providers will develop strategies to help facilities reduce energy consumption.



4. Water conservation. Water will continue to emerge as a critical issue that we must address.



5. Green as a given. Facility managers/cleaning professionals will select Green cleaning products first and conventional cleaning products only if Green ones are not available.



6. Measuring sustainability. As facilities and businesses increasingly operate in a more sustainable manner, they will turn to “dashboard” systems to help measure, manage, and report progress.

7. Proof of sustainability. Purchasing departments requiring vendors to document how they address sustainability issues within their own businesses will become more commonplace.

8. Ingredient disclosure. Chemical manufacturers will provide more information on the ingredients used to manufacture their products as more purchasers and consumers demand this information.

9. Collaboration. Instead of doing it alone, more jansan distributors and service providers will collaborate, creating solutions for environmental issues that will eventually help the entire industry.



10. Showing how. More facilities and businesses will establish Green and sustainability policies, but will have trouble putting them into practice. Jansan distributors and service providers will play a key role in showing them how.

More information about author of this list can be found at www.ashkingroup.com

GPS from WAXIE
While all of these predictions may or may not come to pass, one thing that is certain is that WAXIE will continue to help customers achieve their green cleaning goals in 2012 with the GPS® Green Partner Support™ Program.

For more information about GPS, please see www.waxie.com/green

Cleanlink: 2012 Green and Sustainable Trends

Sustainable Facility: Ashkin's 2012 Green and Sustainable Trends