ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Liz Whittaker at TiCoat explores the critical role cleaning professionals play in helping organisations meet their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification goals and broader ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments. She highlights that it’s the cleaning teams themselves who can direct impact on targets through their daily practices, product choices and documentation efforts.

WITH THE INCREASING focus on sustainability, organisations across all sectors are expected to go beyond box-ticking and prove their environmental and social responsibility. Two frameworks guiding these efforts are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments.

While conversations around LEED and ESG often take place at the boardroom table, the real work happens on the ground - and cleaning professionals are at the heart of it.

From product selection and waste management to air quality and documentation, daily cleaning practices can make or break a company’s sustainability efforts. But what does that actually look like in practice? And how can cleaning teams contribute meaningfully—without blowing the budget?
In this article, we explore the essential, hands-on role cleaning teams play in meeting LEED and ESG goals. We’ll look at practical, cost-effective strategies, share real-world examples, and clarify why what you do every day matters more than ever in 2025.

Green cleaning and LEED credits: what you need to know

LEED is one of the most widely used green building rating systems in the world. Buildings earn credits across categories like water efficiency, energy use, and materials selection. But there’s one area where cleaning teams have a direct and measurable impact: Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ).

LEED v4.1 outlines specific credits tied to green cleaning practices, including:

• Products and materials: Requires the use of low-emitting, environmentally preferred cleaning products

• Equipment: Encourages use of high-efficiency, low-noise machines that reduce chemical and particle release

• Policy and plan: Calls for a documented cleaning plan that aligns with LEED sustainability goals.
To contribute to these credits, cleaning teams must not only use certified products, but also implement standardised procedures and maintain records of product usage, staff training and
cleaning frequency. In other words, certification isn’t achieved by ticking a box - it’s earned through consistent practice and careful documentation.

And the good news? Most of these strategies don’t require expensive new equipment or dramatic changes. With the right training, planning and buying decisions, LEED compliance can be achieved on a realistic budget.

Low-impact products: small changes, big results

Switching to certified green cleaning products is one of the simplest - and most cost-effective - ways to improve sustainability outcomes.

Products that carry certifications such as EU Ecolabel, Green Seal, Cradle to Cradle, or Ecologo have been independently verified to meet strict environmental and health criteria. These products typically:

• Minimise or eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Use biodegradable ingredients

• Avoid known irritants or toxins

• Come in recyclable packaging.

This directly supports LEED credit requirements and improves indoor air quality - an area that also ties into ESG targets.

Beyond compliance, switching to eco-certified products can also reduce long-term costs. Many green products are highly concentrated, reducing packaging waste and storage needs. Refillable spray systems and bulk dispensing can further cut expenses.

For cleaning teams, choosing the right product isn’t just a compliance issue - it’s a direct opportunity to improve environmental outcomes and demonstrate leadership.

ESG and the cleaning sector: more than just a buzzword

While ESG may sound like corporate jargon, its pillars - Environmental, Social, and Governance - are deeply connected to the realities of frontline cleaning work.

• Environmental: Reducing chemical use, managing waste responsibly, and conserving water are all environmental indicators that cleaning teams influence daily

• Social: ESG frameworks look closely at workplace conditions, including health and safety. Using safer products, ensuring adequate PPE, and protecting air quality are not only ethical responsibilities but also ESG-relevant performance indicators

• Governance: Clear procedures, training records and audit trails all fall under the governance umbrella. When cleaning teams document their efforts, it gives companies the data they need to demonstrate compliance, improve performance, and avoid greenwashing accusations.

In 2025, investors and customers alike are demanding proof, not promises. Cleaning teams are on the frontline of delivering that proof through tangible, trackable action.

Why air quality, health, and safety now matter more than ever

Poor indoor air quality doesn’t just affect building occupants, it also directly impacts the health of cleaning staff. In fact, exposure to airborne pollutants like VOCs and ammonia is disproportionately high among cleaning operatives due to prolonged, repeated exposure.

Research shows that cleaning workers are at 50 per cent increased risk of asthma, a 43 per cent increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and potentially other respiratory issues. These risks may increase when using products that contain synthetic fragrances, bleach, or quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs).

Reducing these health hazards is not only a moral responsibility, it’s also a recognised strategy for improving ESG performance. In 2025, social sustainability is about people, not just policies. That means safer products, better ventilation, and transparent training protocols are not optional - they’re essential.

Many organisations now monitor CO? levels, PM2.5 particles, and other air quality indicators as part of ESG reporting. Cleaning teams can support this effort by using low-emission equipment, avoiding aerosol sprays and selecting green-certified products.

For example, treating high-traffic areas with a Green Seal-approved surface protection solution can keep surfaces cleaner for longer, reducing cleaning frequency, minimising exposure to harsh chemicals, and supporting sustainability compliance goals.

Training and reporting: the often-overlooked keys to ESG success

Cleaning professionals already know that consistency is everything. The same applies to sustainability: without standardised procedures and documentation, efforts can easily fall short.
Here’s how training and reporting support LEED and ESG goals:

• Training ensures operatives understand why green products are used, how to apply them properly, and how to avoid cross-contamination

• Documentation provides a clear record of what was cleaned, with what, and by whom - supporting both internal audits and external certification.

In other words, cleaning isn’t just about what gets done, but how - and how well it’s tracked.
For instance, a facilities group could roll out a new staff training programme focused on sustainable cleaning. Each team member could complete a short certification module covering ecolabel recognition, safe chemical handling, and waste reduction strategies. The objectives would be fewer product spills, less cross-contamination, and improved audit scores on ESG and health inspections.

By giving cleaning teams the tools and training to understand their role in the bigger picture, organisations can turn day-to-day tasks into measurable sustainability wins.

Real-world success: cleaning teams driving certification

Still wondering whether cleaning really makes that much of a difference? Here are two case studies showing how cleaning professionals can be key contributors to achieving sustainability certifications:

1. HOMEChem study: impact of cleaning on indoor air quality
The HOMEChem (House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry) project, conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, investigated how everyday activities like cooking and cleaning affect indoor air quality. One notable finding was that mopping floors with vinegar and spraying ammonia-based cleaners elevated indoor ammonia concentrations to approximately 1,592 parts per billion (ppb), which is about 50 times higher than the baseline levels. This significant increase underscores the importance of adequate ventilation and the use of less volatile cleaning agents to maintain healthier indoor environments.

2. LEED-certified hospital: enhanced indoor air quality and health outcomes
A study comparing a newly constructed LEED-certified hospital to a conventional hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, revealed substantial improvements in both environmental quality and health outcomes. The LEED-certified facility reported a 70 per cent reduction in bloodstream infection rates and a 49 per cent decrease in medication administration errors. These improvements were attributed to better ventilation systems, use of low-emitting materials and enhanced cleaning protocols, demonstrating how sustainable building and cleaning practices can directly benefit patient and staff health.

These aren’t isolated incidents, they’re proof that small shifts in cleaning practice can lead to major wins in compliance, certification, and reputation.

For example:

• A hospital aiming for LEED Gold certification could attain Indoor Environmental Quality credits by collaborating with the cleaning team to switch to fragrance-free, EU Ecolabel-certified products and implementing detailed cleaning documentation.

• Likewise, a commercial property company could enhance its ESG compliance by transitioning to certified green cleaning products, updating safety data sheets, and establishing a comprehensive logbook system, improving ESG audit scores and leading to a higher rating from a major sustainability index.

Final thoughts: your role in a greener, healthier future

As a cleaning professional, you’re not just maintaining a space. You’re actively shaping its environmental impact, contributing to health outcomes, and supporting your employer’s sustainability commitments.

Whether you’re selecting a safer disinfectant, logging your cleaning schedule, or completing a sustainability training module, your actions matter. They matter to the planet, to the people who use the buildings you clean, and to the businesses who rely on your work to meet their goals.
The path to LEED and ESG success in 2025 isn’t paved with expensive tech or distant strategies. It’s walked daily. By people like you.

www.ticoat.com