Green Business Profile: EcoSweep Green Cleaning
By Adam
April 21, 2010
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
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By Randy Tyrrell, Toronto Greenhouse
[caption id="attachment_1673" align="alignright" width="211" caption="Sean and Rula Norman"]
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Sean and Rula Norman founded EcoSweep after the birth of their first child. Concerned about toxins in the home and environmental impacts from chemicals used in household cleaning products, “We were really surprised to find that there were no real choices for hiring an all-natural maid service,” said Rula.
After trying numerous cleaning companies, they decided to establish their own enterprise that would serve like-minded clients interested in environmental sustainability. The Normans saw an opportunity to merge sustainability principles and cleaning to provide clients with a cost-neutral alternative to traditional cleaning that is safe, healthy and environmentally friendly. “This business has enabled us to take our passion for sustainability and healthy living and share it with others in a very simple way,“ says Rula. “The cleaning program you choose has such a big impact on both your indoor and outdoor environment, as well as your quality of living.“
Established in 2003, EcoSweep is the original and only all-natural and environmentally friendly green cleaning solution in the Greater Toronto Area. EcoSweep is also the only Canadian janitorial company that is LEED AP managed. Their commercial green cleaning program and purchasing protocol uses only green certified cleaning products, paper products, tools and equipment.
EcoSweep is unique in the janitorial industry in that they provide the full scope of services required to attain LEED certification, including project management facilitated by an onsite Project Manager. Their sustainability consulting includes custodial effectiveness assessments and audits as well as green cleaning training for custodial staff.
Rula and Sean go far beyond the janitorial service. Rula explains, “We have found that a lot of businesses approach us about switching to a green cleaning program and once they see the benefits, they often ask us to work with them on bigger sustainability goals.” The EcoSweep team assists clients in improving indoor air quality and help reduce their corporate footprint by providing staff workshops and training for occupants on how they can do their part to help improve indoor air quality, reduce energy and water use and improve recycling programs .
Clients now include office complexes, retail, institutional, sports complexes, condominium/residential buildings, real estate, amusement parks and homeowners.
Randy Tyrrell is the Founder and Managing Director of Toronto Greenhouse, a business forum for “green companies” and friends of the environment. Toronto Greenhouse hosts a monthly networking event with topical speakers and offers environmentally sustainable business consulting services. Visit here for more information.