Health should be the most important concern to each and every one of us, as it is truly the only thing we really possess that we cannot live without.  This conversation came up in class during a recent GCIC Technician training, and it was identified that living was the only thing a person really has to do until one passes. While this is not something that we want to dwell on, it is a fact.
Therefore if GREEN is HEALTH, then everyone should be striving to be greener because we care about our health. However, there is a major reluctance to move forward at much more than a snail’s pace unless someone is pushing. As I see it, the insurance and health care costs that come out of my paycheck are quite certainly pushing! We just don’t have it verbally being said, but unless you are in a different part of the world than I, the “sucking” of green from my pocketbook is making a loud noise.
This past week I was told about the aging of our society and the advancement toward “Senior Communities”. While I’m not there yet, it was interesting to hear that putting all the major business needs within walking distance of a residential home was the focus in these upcoming communities. Health was the major issue here, and the reduction of resources needed to carry out the daily tasks of life is going to be key.
Green is a proactive move to these issues. What can we do now that will help us reduce our dependence? During the GCIC Technician training class, we talked about ways in which the janitor/custodian can impact the reduction of the over 44 billion pounds of products that the Jan/San industry uses every year. We identified the fact that thousands of custodians across the nation haul tons of “garbage” to the trash dumpster every day, only to be taken to the landfill. 
We talked about two key issues. First, while most of these custodians are hauling OVERLOADED bags of garbage, they are complaining that the bags leak. Understand that these bags where filled past their weight limit for strength, and overfilling them is creating a RISK MANAGEMENT issue. Secondly, if the garbage was picked up by an outside firm, farmer, or group then this would be less poundage that the facility would have to pay for. Garbage counts for 11% of municipal solid waste that is compostable. 
I was taught to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  Green is not hard, expensive, or out of range. It just takes a bit of effort. Before you start to make an issue about the garbage you are hauling out on a daily basis, find an answer to where it can go. Take this idea to the school/facility manager. If we can recycle our paper, plastic, and cans . . . why not recycle our garbage and be GREEN in our processes?
What does this have to do with HEALTH? Ask that question of the custodial population who deal with the mountains of garbage that kids and staff are dumping into the trash every day. If we really are recycling, then why are there mountains of paper in the trash going into the dumpster? Ask this health question of the personnel that deals with the VOC’s from the dumpster area or the students whose room is next to this area on a hot 100+% days. They can tell you how their health is affected. Talk with the support staff that handles the workers comp claims from the workforce that is out due to back issues from lifting over loaded waste bags.
Health affects us in many ways, and GREEN is there to show you the proactive steps to mitigate that costly exposure. Take a look at GREEN and what it can do for your HEALTH budget. You might be surprised at the solutions that are within your reach!
 
Dave Thompson, GCI President