logo-newlogo-newlogo-newlogo-new
  • Member Home
  • Articles
    • Business Startup
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Employees & HR
    • Trucks, Equipment & Tech
    • Operational Improvement
    • Business & Compliance
    • International
  • Classified
  • Ask a PRO Forum
  • JohnTalk Vault
  • JohnTalk Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Member Login
  • English
✕

How to Design a Green Workplace

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Operational Improvement
  • How to Design a Green Workplace
How to Network Effectively
How to Network Effectively
May 4, 2018
JohnTalk Classifieds
Introducing the All-New JohnTalk Classifieds
May 7, 2018
Show all
How to Design a Green Workplace
How to Design a Green Workplace

When we say that a business has “gone green” or has created a green workplace, we mean it has taken meaningful steps to operate in a more environmentally-protective and sustainable manner.

“Going green” benefits the larger environment we all share. It also helps a business’ bottom line by creating a healthier, more productive workplace for employees, reducing operating costs and appealing to green clients.

Pumping and cleaning portable restrooms requires PROs and their employees to deal with human waste and wastewater containing bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens. Accordingly, PROs going green must consider more factors than many other employers.

Below are some simple, yet important, steps PROs can take to create a green workplace based on the Portable Sanitation Association International’s (PSAI) Code of Excellence (2015):

Protect Employee Health

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), site-specific vaccination recommendations for workers exposed to human waste should be developed by businesses through consultation with local health authorities and professionals. The CDC advises that employee tetanus vaccinations should be kept up to date and consideration given to hepatitis vaccinations.

PROs should train workers handling human waste or wastewater on basic hygiene best practices and encourage them to seek prompt medical attention if they experience vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea.

PROs should instruct workers on proper use and disposal of personal protective equipment, including:

  • Goggles or splash-proof face shield
  • Chemical-resistant gloves
  • Waterproof safety-toe boots

Spills and Waste Disposal

PROs must train employees to be vigilant in detecting and addressing waste spills.

Spill monitoring and management training should be integrated into new-hire training and refreshed annually for all workers, preferably during the mid-summer peak season.

Employees must understand that cleanup of any spill they notice immediately becomes their responsibility. The employee who first notices the spill may not abandon the site until it is clean, or a superior has assumed responsibility.

PROs can reduce spills by training employees to inspect pumpers visually before transport and establishing truck “prep areas” that allow for completion of multiple refilling and maintenance functions in a single spot.

Finally, every PRO must respect the environment and obey the law by disposing of waste in a way that meets or exceeds all applicable regulatory requirements.

Get the JohnTalk “ALL-ACCESS PASS” & become a member for FREE!

Benefits Include: Subscription to JohnTalk Digital & Print Newsletters • JohnTalk Vault In-Depth Content • Full Access to the JohnTalk Classifieds & Ask a PRO Forum

Click here to learn more.

Utilize Green Products

PROs should supply and utilize green products whenever feasible in their operations. Here are some examples of such products:

  • “Blue” deodorizer for holding tanks that is non-toxic and formaldehyde-free.
  • Restroom paper products that are chlorine-free and 100% recycled.
  • Cleaning agents and solutions that are non-toxic and non-flammable.

Conserve Natural Resources

The PSAI encourages PROs to take all reasonable steps to conserve resources in their operations. Practical conservation steps include:

  • Capturing rainwater and using it to refill fresh water tanks.
  • Switching from paper to digital recordkeeping for truck routes and other operations.
  • Printing or copying documents on recycled paper using the machine’s “double-sided” function.
  • Replacing incandescent light bulbs with natural light, LEDs or T8s.
  • Enabling “sleep mode” on computers and other electronic equipment.

Looking to Take Your Portable Restroom Business to the NEXT LEVEL? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Operating A Portable Restroom Business.”

Thinking About GETTING INTO the Portable Restroom Industry? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Starting A Portable Restroom Business.”

Related posts

A long row of purple portable toilets, a sink and two hand sanitizing stations with a carnival in the background
May 19, 2025

Event Setup Tips to Minimize Long Lines at the Porta-Potties


Read more
A group of people at the Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show (WWETT Show)
February 10, 2025

The WWETT Show: Where Portable Sanitation Professionals Converge


Read more
Speakers presenting to tradeshow attendees with portable sanitation products in the background
January 29, 2025

Why PSAI’s Nuts & Bolts Educational Conference Should Be on Your Annual Schedule


Read more

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The JohnTalk project is designed to be your go-to resource for all the information you need to start a portable sanitation operation or improve your existing portable restroom business.
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Classified
  • Ask a PRO Forum
  • Contact Us
  • Member Login

Brought To You By

www.polyjohn.com
Locations

Follow Us

Powered by

© 2016 John Talk. All Rights Reserved.