Über-Eco™ Standards
Über-Eco™ Standards was designed by the GMI Group to establish superior, standardized guidelines for the commercial cleaning industry, with a strong emphasis on being ecologically and energy friendly in all applications and methodologies.
GMI Group is incorporating these standards to each and every phase of their contracts to show their commitment to improving our environment, and to set a benchmark for the cleaning industry.
Über-Eco™ is divided into three parts. The first part deals with product selection and use. The second deals with combining products with eco-friendly methodology, and the third is purely dedicated to reducing man-made utility consumption and using natural utilities and techniques.
Product Selection and Use
Über-Eco™ products will meet the Green Seal® label approval as a minimum with low VOC content.
2. Über-Eco™ products will ultimately be made up of simple compounds like baking soda, white vinegar, olive oil, citrus
acids and oils, soybean and non-hazardous, low chemistry compounds. Each Ready-to-Use (RTU) and concentrated
formula mush have high dilution rates to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Currently, this is
underway with many manufacturers.
3. Über-Eco™ products must have safety labels affixed to the end use container. A copy of a MSDS will be
filed on-site in a MSDS notebook.
4. Über-Eco™ products must have clinical testing data to support the claims of being environmentally friendly.
5. Über-Eco™ products and their use pose no harmful threat or allergen-potential to the tenants.
6. Über-Eco™ products should be procured and transported to the end user within a 50 mile radius to lessen the impact
of fuel emissions to the environment and to promote local business growth.
7. Über-Eco™ product containers will be reuseable or completely recyclable. All cardboard shipping containers and
packaging will be at least 65% postconsumer produced and fully recyclable.
8. Über-Eco™ paper products should be partially postconsumer in construction and portion controlled. All toliet paper,
in their respective dispensers, should flow clockwise to reduce the use and misuse of this commodity.
9. Über-Eco™ soap dispensers should be antibacterial foam with a partial soybean/citrus extract base.
Combinating Products and Safe Methodology
The use of warm water should always be attempted to remove an immediate spill to carpets, chairs and
surfaces.
2. Blotting with a wet, reuseable colored rag generally removes all or most of today's spills and spots, minus toner and ink
based substances. Diluting alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners with warm water to tackle color stains is one method
of lowering the VOC content of a non-green approved solution.
3. The solution made by adding two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of citrus extract to a gallon of mop
water will perform at the same level or often exceed the performance of high percentage ammonia solutions. After
mop water is deemed unuseable for further mopping, the water should be poured down the bathroom floor drains
(p-traps) to properly lubricate those systems and to mitigate foul odors. A microfiber mop head and a recycled, plastic
mop handle will be the equipment used to perform the mopping.
4. Changing mop water frequently will minimize the spread of disease and contaminants. Über-Eco™ requires that the
person performing the water change wear a face shield, apron and long, safety gloves for the health and well-being
of this person.
5. Über-Eco™ maintains that all uniform green cleaning be accomplished from ceiling to floor. The use of microfiber
dusting sleeves are mandated to reduce the amount of throwaway dusters in the landfills. The microfiber sleeve can be
washed and reused for a very long time.
6. Über-Eco™ mandates, wherever possible, daytime and daylight cleaning should be implemented. The balancing of
cleaning activities and the following of a prescribed task schedule will generate success in the daylight hours.
Utility Avoidance and Energy improvements
1. When daylight cleaning is not an option, Über-Eco™ mandates that you accomplish high, traffic flooring and carpet
work as the first task of the evening. In doing so, you can work with building operations to back off the HVAC set point
and desired temperature sooner, saving precious utility dollars.
2. Über-Eco™ also mandates that building operations cut back on high traffic area lighting since the floor work is
complete for those areas earlier instead of later in the shift. The use of overrides for occupancy light sensors in the
restrooms would allow only site lighting to be used instead of complete zones and floors.
3. Über-Eco™ mandates partial day cleaning of the windows and blinds because natural light is superior in the
detection of smears and dust. This saves significantly and captures a provided natural utility, sunlight.
4. Über-Eco™ hot water generation is accomplished by filling several, all black, recycled jugs with tap water and by
placing them out into direct sunlight for heating. This also harnesses more of a provided natural utility source.
5. Über-Eco™ maintains that all useable mop heads are warmed and dried in the direct sunlight daily. If this is not
possible, the mop heads should be disassembled from the mops and machine washed and dried twice a week.
6. Under Über-Eco™, all known elements including paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, metals and some composite
materials are recycled in a facility.
7. Über-Eco™ requires that a higher maintenance standard be maintained on all buffers, extractors, vacuums, back
pack Vacs, and ride-ons. Maintenance after re-commissioning will drive the life cycle and performance of this
listed equipment to greater years of use and service.
