GreenEarth Cleaning

Acknowledging a problem is where the solving process has to begin. In our last blog, Sustainability Director, Garry Knox discussed the Climate Change Report issued by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel. Clearly, the alarming concerns addressed by this report will require action on a large scale, but that does not negate the positive impact every small action has toward finding a solution. Don’t let the “what difference can I make?” perception deter you from making a cognizant effort in minimizing your carbon footprint. You alone, and we together can make a real difference. We’re not here to tell you we have the answer to climate change. What we have done, though, is compile a list of some easy-to-implement lifestyle changes that can ensure you’re doing your part to contribute to a better ecosystem for future generations.  10. Recycle Let’s start with the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind. Recycling is probably the easiest way we can minimize our carbon footprint. Most municipalities make it super easy to recycle nowadays. A quick Google search (recycling in *insert city*) can lead you to the specifics for your local facility. 9. Reduce Water and Energy Usage It’s much easier said than done, but by simply being conscious of our habits throughout our day-to-day routines, we can slowly start to make changes that help us achieve our goal. There are countless small things we can do that add up, like taking shorter showers, not running the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, turning off lights when you’re not in a room, shutting down computers and other electronics, and buying energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs—just to name a few. 8. Eliminate Plastic Plastic is everywhere—we get it. When we’re in public spaces, sometimes it’s out of our control. But at work and home, it’s definitely achievable. A lot of the plastic we use daily can be replaced with reusable products, like water bottles, food storage containers, grocery bags, straws, etc. Even when we’re shopping, there are usually options (sometimes they cost a bit more) packaged in paper or cardboard instead of plastic. We’ve noticed a lot of companies using bamboo as a replacement for plastic as well. Again, we understand it’s not happening overnight, but incremental changes will have you plastic-free in no time at all! 7. Go Digital A digital lifestyle admittedly is harder for some than others. In this day and age, however, if we make the effort, it turns out to be pretty easy. Bills can be paid online, documents can be shared and edited through a variety of applications, most stores allow you to choose to receive your receipts digitally—we honestly can’t come up with a situation where paper is absolutely necessary. Can you? 6. Ditch the Car (When Possible) Obviously, if you have a 30-minute commute to work in a car, biking or walking isn’t an option. Is carpooling a possibility? Is there a public transit route that will get you there in a reasonable amount of time? Maybe not, but if there is, consider it. Even if it’s not possible in your daily commute to work, when you’re attending an event, having dinner with your family, or meeting friends out for a drink, think about walking, biking, carpooling, or taking the bus. Again, simply being cognizant of these options at all times will help us all make better choices for the environment. 5. Meatless Mondays “Woah, Woah, Woah. Now they’ve gone too far!” Hear us out. We’re headquartered in Kansas City, considered by many to be the champion of BBQ, so cutting meat out of our diet isn’t taken lightly. But what if we just do it one day out of the week? The climate impact of meat, specifically industrial factory farms, is enormous—roughly equivalent to all the driving and flying of every car, truck, and plane in the world. So cutting out our meat consumption one day out of the week can have a massive impact on minimizing our carbon footprint. And to take it a step further, try purchasing locally sourced meat and produce; it tastes better too! 4. Smart Home Renovations The new craze of the last decade seems to be flipping houses. How many more home improvement shows can they come up with? We have a feeling we will find out. But if you’re buying a new home and flipping it, or maybe you’re just tackling one small project at a time as you form your house into your dream home, think sustainably. There is an endless list of smart tech that can increase your home efficiency, not to mention products like eco-friendly insulation and solar panels, which are surprisingly affordable with city rebates. Any home project you’re working on, big or small, always keep in mind, “How can we make this more sustainable?” 3. Ethical Purchasing Decisions Whether we’re talking about food, clothes, or personal care products, these days there is always an option that has the environment in mind. Of course, sometimes this takes a little due diligence on our part to confirm its legitimacy. There is no short supply of products claiming to be “green” for one reason or another when in fact many aspects of their business are not. But some simple things we can do is shop from local suppliers as often as possible. Check out antique shops and vintage clothing stores–the stuff is usually super cool too. And pass on fast fashion. Buy clothing that is quality and long-lasting or even made out of repurposed fabrics! These garments might cost a little more, but you’ll get your mileage out of them and then some.  2. Support Sustainable Causes Plastic Soup Foundation, Water.org, tentree, 4Ocean, Natural Resources Defense Council, Greenpeace, Rainforest Alliance, WildlifeDirect—just pick one. We couldn’t list them all if we tried. There are countless wonderful charity organizations out there doing great things to lower our impact on the environment and oceans and leave a better planet for our children. If you’ve got a budget, you can

On Monday, August 9th, a report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was issued and delivers the starkest warnings yet. The latest findings, approved by 195 member states, deal with the physical science basis of climate change and the contribution of humans to that change. Many world leaders, particularly those of the 50 countries said to be at greatest risk have reacted strongly to the report, with the U.K. Prime Minister stating that this is a “wake up call to the world.”  The UN’s Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has labeled it a “code red for humanity.”  No region on Earth has escaped the impacts of the climate crisis. The report states that “human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe.” It clearly expresses that in the not-too-distant future, heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts will become more common and extreme.  The assessment also reveals that levels of CO2—the primary driver of global warming—were higher in 2019 than at any other time in “at least 2 million years.” It adds that levels of methane and nitrous oxide—the second and third biggest drivers, respectively—were higher in 2019 than at any time in “at least 800,000 years.” Under the Paris Agreement in 2015, over 190 governments agreed that a global warming limit should be set at 1.5°C to 2.0°C above pre-industrial levels. However, the IPCC report states that, under all scenarios, this target will not be achievable. There is a real risk that both targets will be broken this century unless huge reductions in carbon emissions can be realized. Later this year, the U.K., in partnership with Italy, will host COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. It is considered more vital than ever that firm agreement to carbon emission reduction targets can be put in place with a matter of urgency. The new report backs up the many recent calls for a “green recovery” as a solution to the economic instability caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. U.S. climate envoy John Kerry has voiced that to achieve carbon reduction targets, all governments need to change their economies. He went on to say, “This is a critical decade for action, and COP26 in Glasgow must be a turning point in this crisis.” GreenEarth Cleaning has long made a commitment to protecting the planet, not just through the gentler and safer composition of its environmentally non-toxic solution but also through the reductions in energy and water usage achieved from using the GreenEarth System. We will continue to strive for further improvement in the technology that we are responsible for, the relationships we manage, and our own actions in terms of sustainability targets. We will also continue to share ideas and solutions that help to inform individuals to make a difference to help the world achieve the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. There are many examples of how we can make a difference, by adjusting our behavior. The actions range from finding alternatives to travel to eating less meat and dairy to using your voice to challenge your local government or parliamentary representatives to affect change on a national level. The Grantham Institute recently published a guide on “9 Things You Can Do About Climate Change.” Yes, overall there’s a lot of information to take on board from the IPCC, but every small step in the right direction has a positive impact. By: Garry Knox  

This summer has actually felt like summer. And not just because of the sweltering heat either. Last year, we were all still at home twiddling our thumbs next to the A/C (a whole new definition to “long, hot summer”). But as vaccinations have become widely available and local economies have begun to reopen, we’ve been able to enjoy the best parts of the season again, and travel and hospitality companies are trying to keep up.  Over the past few months, we’ve seen a spike in in-person events, dining out, and namely, travel. Based on data from FlightAware, an aviation tracking service, the week of the 4th of July recorded an average of roughly 23,000 flights per day. While that’s still down from more than 28,000 average daily flights in 2019, it’s a 97.32% increase from 2020, which saw only 12,000. With the surge in airport traffic, hotel bookings are also on the rise. Marriott’s Q2 results show a worldwide occupancy of 51%, already a 13-point rise from the first three months of the year, according to a report from Travel Weekly. These metrics are encouraging, to say the least, and display a road to recovery, yet it’s also important to remember that some habits we developed at the height of the pandemic are sticking around. People may be going all out on vacations after over a year stuck at home, but health and well-being remain top priorities. The cleaning and sanitization of surfaces and fabrics must go beyond the standards they were held to in 2019. Travelers expect a level of cleanliness that is both inviting and safe. GreenEarth helps achieve just that. The hotels that use our system of care can feel good about not costing the planet while providing for the needs and peace of mind of their guests. GreenEarth, which replaces traditional dry cleaning petrochemicals with pure liquid silicone, is environmentally non-toxic and gentle on fabrics but cleans items thoroughly at temperatures that inactivate most bacteria and viruses. It sounds like a bit of a paradox—a process that truly cleans and is truly green—but we assure you it’s not. You just don’t need harsh and harmful chemicals to accomplish a pure clean. In fact, many of the world’s best-known brands in quality hospitality have made the choice to partner with a local GreenEarth cleaner or install compatible machinery in their own facilities, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Montage, St. Regis, and Jumeirah Emirates Tower. For more information about our work in the hospitality space and how we can help you improve your sustainability commitments, click here. Or to find a GreenEarth cleaner in your market, search our Store Locator.  By: Zarah Eads

As we get back to business post-COVID, many of us are ready to hire, and the age-old question “how do I find good people?” seems more difficult than ever to answer. It isn’t easy, it’s never been easy. But now we’re seeing an increase in job openings for the first time in years, resulting in a workforce shortage. That’s right, another shortage. So now good candidates are less likely to come to us. We have to go get them. We’ll need to be more aggressive in our search and make our offer more appealing to draw the right people. Many of us begin the search when we need to fill a position. Unfortunately, that is often too late, leading us to make poor choices to make quick hires, not necessarily good hires.  To start, we should always be hiring. It’s easy to have job listings online and simply go through the submissions weekly. Whenever a candidate really sticks out, give them a call.  The listing needs to provide details about the job, specific qualifications to do the job, and give details about pay, vacations, and benefits. This work on the front end will help both you and the potential applicant weed each other out. Linkedin and Indeed are both easy platforms to use for finding the right people. Keeping your company profiles updated lets applicants get to know you, your business, and what you stand for. Everyone on these platforms is either working, looking for work, or knows someone looking for work. Posting a job on any of these platforms is free, and for a few more dollars, you can promote your posting to attract more applicants with the qualifications you need. And the best part, these platforms can work to find candidates for you, screen based on their resume, and you can review their profiles and applications on your schedule. Another strategy we’ve been using recently that has had some success for Affiliates is posting a well-branded, creative ad on Facebook simply announcing you’re hiring, then linking that ad to a detailed job listing on Indeed or Linkedin. That user experience is easily navigated and also helps weed out some of the unqualified applicants we might receive through Facebook natively. A current campaign on Facebook has reached over 2,000 people in one week, received over 80 clicks, and 54 applications submitted. In-Person Networking When you are out and about during your day, be on the lookout. If someone impresses you, take a moment to let them know and that you are looking for people like them. Do they have a friend that is looking for work or a career change? Good people hang out with good people, and with training, they can become exceptional employees for you. I have been lucky to get a steady pipeline of new hires from a hire I made nine years ago. Each time an employee has moved on, I ask them if they can recommend filling their position. Marketing Brand awareness is essential when enticing applicants. Think of your hiring ad as an opportunity to advertise your company. When our GreenEarth marketing team creates ads for Affiliates, they talk a little about the job and a bit more about why a candidate should apply. With a competitive job market, talking about what you can do for them will get their attention. Promote your vision and help potential applicants see how they can fit in and how you fit with their goals.  The goal of your ad is to attract like-minded individuals. For example, sustainability is important to us, so we want to hire people who care about the environment. If they understand your goals, training comes easily. Mention that you use GreenEarth® because it is sustainable, odorless, and safe for people, clothes, and our planet, and you will attract even more applicants aligned with you. If you are having trouble finding suitable candidates, reach out to us for assistance. Our team can create an ad campaign and job listing for you, using GreenEarth exclusive imagery and proven copy to attract applicants to help you keep your pipeline flowing.  Reach out to us for ad content and assistance at affiliatesupport@greenearthcleaning.com By: Karen Maxwell  

Our new Full Circle service is giving pre-loved machines a new lease on life. During the latter part of the 20th Century, there was very much a disposable attitude to almost everything.  Whether it be fashion, packaging, or electronics.  Once it was finished or no longer fit for purpose, it would be thrown away. That has now changed, particularly over the last 10 years.  Components are being repurposed more, using very few finite resources, and the energy to help repurpose is renewable. Even items like office floor tiles can now be leased.  When they need replacing, they are taken away, the rubber and fibers are separated and regenerated using renewable energy. The emphasis for doing this is to protect the planet’s finite resources.  With current levels of usage, it is predicted many of those resources such as Oil, Gas, and even Tungsten (which is a component of smartphones), will become severely depleted over the next 50-100 years. GreenEarth Cleaning’s proprietary liquid silicone is in itself circular.  It is used within a closed-loop system so that any waste can be collected and disposed of in a responsible way, and much of the solvent can be reused for many loads.  In addition, because it’s mild and gentle, it contributes to garments lasting longer and having a continued life through donating or passing on to friends and family. But it doesn’t end there, the GreenEarth Technical team has started applying these principles to machine restoration.   With many used machines becoming available in the past couple of years, we have taken advantage of our technical knowledge and are actively refurbishing good quality machines through our “Full Circle” service. The process is extensive and worth doing in order to provide value to Affiliates that are investing in their business, and want to lower the capital cost of doing so with a reliable pre-loved machine. It goes to show that what is one person’s trash could be another person’s treasure.  So, think twice before disposing of any item, it could have a second life somewhere you may not expect! By: Garry Knox  

Get A Mask, Give A Mask “We want our customers and their families to feel safe, along with those on the front lines in many nursing and group homes and other non-profit agencies” is what Paul Billoni, GreenEarth Affiliate and President of Colvin Cleaners in Kenmore, NY explains to Buffalo’s Channel 7 News during a recent interview discussing their new “Get A Mask, Give A Mask” program. With essential workers in New York required to wear masks, Colvin Cleaners has heard the call and stepped up employing their seamstresses, who would typically be working on prom gowns during this time of year, to produce over 200 masks per day. These masks are being given for free to their customers, essential workers, and non-profit organizations. Chris Billoni, Vice President of Colvin Cleaners shares their expectations for more mask orders in the coming weeks and opens up the mask-making work to volunteers within their community who want to help, stating “WNY is an incredible place, people are always looking to help out, so we’re trying to do our part and if people want to help as well, they can do it online,” Paul and Chris Billoni are always finding ways to support their community and we’re proud to have them as apart of the GreenEarth Family.   Loads of Love Vice President Ken Sandy and the Dryy Garment Care team spread a bit of much-needed community cheer with their Loads of Love campaign. The Washington DC-based GreenEarth Affiliate delivered gift cards, hand sanitizers, and non-perishables to other essential retail businesses within the neighborhoods they serve. Watching their Instagram video, you can clearly see the gratitude and joy in every person’s face Sandy interacts with. It’s such a simple gesture but the kind of gesture that’s so needed right now. At the end of the video, Sandy states, “We hope that what we did today in the community—in multiple communities—had some sort of touchpoint for you that was inspiring, but most importantly, that you at all times know that we here at Dryy Garment Care are thinking of you and we’re here for you.” We’d say they definitely achieved that.     More Than Making Masks Great American Cleaners is continuing their efforts to make masks for the community. They have provided these masks as donations, like the hundred they gave to the El Cerrito Police Department, and are also selling them to customers. Customers can donate on their behalf to local hospitals, senior centers, and first responders. Making these masks is seen as a community effort – a way to spread positivity and hope as well as safety. This message continues when you visit Great American Cleaners’ website to purchase a mask, scrolling down to find meditation-videos before you make your order.

Lightening the Burden The folks at Hollyway Cleaners kept hearing all the desperate pleas by doctors and nurses for vital PPE mate.  As Los Angles, CA was heading into another critical week, the need for face masks for all had become even more acute.   Using the resources Amin Amersi and his team had, they did what they could to fill the demand and help protect the most vulnerable among us.  Guided by the simple idea that “no one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of others in need” they joined with an organization called “Quilt From Heart” to make vitally needed masks for St Jude Hospitals, LAPD, and assisted living facilities throughout the Southland.   Dry cleaning and sanitizing in Greenearth all the fabric and materials, pressing all the materials,  and then using guidelines from the CDC for their tailors to make masks.  They’ve obtained special filters that are placed and sewn very carefully without permeating the membrane of the fabric.  These special masks are used for cancer patients who are children and are some of the most vulnerable in our population. Loads Of Hope We’re giving loads of props to Tide Cleaners for their Loads of Hope initiative. Taking place at select participating locations, the franchise group is putting first responders and their families first by providing free laundry and dry cleaning all of April and into the month of May. These are challenging days for everyone, but the healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters, etc., within our communities are experiencing this all on the front lines, risking the health and safety of both themselves and their loved ones. Tide’s gesture to “help lighten the load” for these heroes is some definite #MondayMotivation as we make our way through this unprecedented time together. We appreciate the work the folks at Tide Cleaners have put into this campaign and are excited to see the response it’s getting. Long time Affiliate, Kyle Nesbit, was able to provide us with some awesome images of smiling faces taking part in the Load of Hope initiative. We were also excited to see a GreenEarth Affiliate’s commercial on National T.V. during 60 Minutes last night. Here is that T.V. spot for your viewing pleasure.   Protecting First Responders  NextGen Cleaners & Alterations has their thoughts on first responders during this time as well. The San Jose, California-based Affiliate is now offering free dry cleaning for all emergency personnel uniforms.  The attire these folks wear is exposed to any number of things day in and day out as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. As we’ve reported in our previous communication, the GreenEarth System’s use of higher-than-normal temperatures has proven to inactivate most bacteria and viruses. NextGen is doing an impactful job not only providing a free service but also giving front line men and women added peace of mind. Way to go, Emil and team!

We could all use a little good news in our lives right about now, wouldn’t you agree? With the airwaves being consumed with doom and gloom, we wanted to share these heartwarming stories we’ve heard over the last week of Members of the GreenEarth Network stepping up in these troubling times, bringing us that warm fuzzy feeling of hope and inspiration. Helping One Mask At A Time The folks at Door to Door Cleaner/The Wedding Gown Specialists in Los Angeles, CA have dedicated their valuable time to making face masks for medical professionals in the LA area. The masks are being donated to various local hospitals and they’re being made by repurposing the muslin/linen cloth that is used to preserve their customer’s wedding gowns. What an innovative and resourceful way for Sajid Veera and his staff to step up to the plate using supplies on hand to give back and make a positive impact on your community in a time it’s needed most!   Pay What You Can Pricing Snedicor’s Cleaners in Brighton, MI, recognizing so many of their neighbors struggling, has offered a helping hand with a “Pay What You Can” pricing concept. Jim Gilligan and his team are extending the offer to anyone affected by the current circumstance. Not only is it applicable to the hardworking healthcare professionals, first responders, and others on the front line, but Snedicor’s has taken it a step further, offering this generous payment concept to anyone who is struggling to get through these times. A real “you take care of us, so we’ll take care of you” sentiment. The community surely will remember the good deed when this is all a thing of the past.   Our U.K. Family Offering Relief   By now most of us have seen the images making their way around the social media world of nurses after working 12-hour shifts, or longer, with marks and bruises left on their faces from the masks they must wear while caring for those in need during this pandemic. It’s a sad image that leaves an impression, but also leaves most of us feeling helpless. Well, we couldn’t be more proud to see a Member of the GreenEarth Family in the U.K. working, even in a time when their doors are closed for business, to provide a solution, relieving some stress and bringing some comfort to those that need it most. Will Lankston of GreenEarth Affiliate, Jeeves of Belgravia tweeted out yesterday, “Whilst isolating, our amazing tailoring team have decided to put their skills to good use by making headbands for the NHS. The button allows the wearer to hook face-masks on without causing sores behind the ears.”

We could all use a little good news in our lives right about now, wouldn’t you agree? With the airwaves being consumed with doom and gloom, we wanted to share these heartwarming stories we’ve heard over the last week of Members of the GreenEarth Network stepping up in these troubling times, bringing us that warm fuzzy feeling of hope and inspiration. Helping One Mask At A Time The folks at Door to Door Cleaner/The Wedding Gown Specialists in Los Angeles, CA have dedicated their valuable time to making face masks for medical professionals in the LA area. The masks are being donated to various local hospitals and they’re being made by repurposing the muslin/linen cloth that is used to preserve their customer’s wedding gowns. What an innovative and resourceful way for Sajid Veera and his staff to step up to the plate using supplies on hand to give back and make a positive impact on your community in a time it’s needed most!   Pay What You Can Pricing Snedicor’s Cleaners in Brighton, MI, recognizing so many of their neighbors struggling, has offered a helping hand with a “Pay What You Can” pricing concept. Jim Gilligan and his team are extending the offer to anyone affected by the current circumstance. Not only is it applicable to the hardworking healthcare professionals, first responders, and others on the front line, but Snedicor’s has taken it a step further, offering this generous payment concept to anyone who is struggling to get through these times. A real “you take care of us, so we’ll take care of you” sentiment. The community surely will remember the good deed when this is all a thing of the past.   Our U.K. Family Offering Relief   By now most of us have seen the images making their way around the social media world of nurses after working 12-hour shifts, or longer, with marks and bruises left on their faces from the masks they must wear while caring for those in need during this pandemic. It’s a sad image that leaves an impression, but also leaves most of us feeling helpless. Well, we couldn’t be more proud to see a Member of the GreenEarth Family in the U.K. working, even in a time when their doors are closed for business, to provide a solution, relieving some stress and bringing some comfort to those that need it most. Will Lankston of GreenEarth Affiliate, Jeeves of Belgravia tweeted out yesterday, “Whilst isolating, our amazing tailoring team have decided to put their skills to good use by making headbands for the NHS. The button allows the wearer to hook face-masks on without causing sores behind the ears.”