GSF’s Cutting-Edge Green Cleaning Service Certified by Green Seal as Top Tier in Nation

Rigorous requirements verify Ecologique program’s commitment to sustainability, health of staff, students, and planet

Des Plaines, Ill. and Washington, DC – GSF, a global cleaning services company, has earned Green Seal certification for its expert use of responsible cleaning practices that are among the healthiest and most sustainable in the nation. The company, which services 25 million-square-feet a day, will immediately begin servicing the Chicago-area Aptakisic-Tripp School District with its Green Seal-certified Ecologique program and soon plans to expand the service to additional school districts and commercial office locations. 

To earn certification, GSF met Green Seal’s stringent Cleaning Services Standard (GS-42) requirements for cleaning equipment and procedures, chemicals, employee training, product labeling, and communication. Green Seal conducts rigorous on-site inspections to verify each requirement before awarding a prestigious certification mark.

A Commitment to Sustainability

GSF recognizes that a greener approach to cleaning has a positive effect on people and the planet. For 12 years, GSF has implemented greener chemicals, tools, and equipment that save water, energy, and waste while consistently reviewing its cleaning processes to ensure they meet the highest standard of sustainability. Offering its Green Seal-certified Ecologique cleaning program further solidifies GSF’s commitment to cleaning in a healthier, more environmentally friendly way. 

GSF-USA’s Green Seal-certified Ecologique cleaning program includes:

• Sustainable cleaning chemicals: GSF cleans and disinfects with safe and sustainable electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) made with just salt, water, and electricity.
• High-tech equipment: GSF uses the most advanced equipment possible, including robotic technologies, to minimize water and energy consumption while prolonging the lifespan of flooring assets.
• Environmentally sourced consumables: GSF uses. products such as microfiber towels, soap, and paper products that align with the most progressive environmental standards.
• Documented training & procedures: Every employee completes a minimum of 24 hours of training to ensure they’re well-versed in cleaning best practices. 
• Leadership development through GSF University: GSF offers leadership training that teaches cleaning professionals how to increase efficiency, cleaning quality and sustainability.  

“In today’s environment, cleaning well has never mattered more. Cleaning service providers who meet Green Seal’s rigorous health and environmental criteria are uniquely qualified to provide exceptional cleaning and disinfection while also protecting indoor air quality and respiratory health for the building occupants.  This is more critical in schools than anywhere else” said Doug Gatlin, CEO of Green Seal. “GSF didn’t just commit to green cleaning – they sought out rigorous third-party certification to verify that they are leaving no stone unturned in their mission to protect the health of their customers.”

“The Ecologique program offers the highest standard of cleaning for customers while minimizing environmental impact,” said Troy Bargmann, president, GSF USA. “We’re honored to receive this prestigious certification and look forward to instilling greater confidence among customers, facility occupants and visitors through our sustainable cleaning program.” 

The Highest Standard of Clean

Green Seal certified companies are among the most highly trained cleaning teams in the nation, expertly using healthier cleaning products and practices that actively improve indoor air quality and the health and productivity of students and staff. Importantly, these products and practices also protect custodial staff, who in general are twice as likely to experience occupational asthma compared to other workers.

A Green Seal-certified cleaning program strengthens a company’s or institution’s credibility as a sustainability leader, providing benefits that ripple through supply chains and ecosystems. These programs safeguard building occupants and manufacturing workers from exposure to chemicals that cause asthma, allergies and cancer; save waterways and aquatic life from toxic chemical contamination; protect the planet from climate-disrupting carbon emissions; and reward companies that invest in new and transformative green chemistry.  

Green Seal-certified cleaning providers service more than 1 billion square feet of commercial building space across the United States, including flagship properties such as One Penn Plaza and 1290 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan, Merchandise Mart in Chicago, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.  The certified companies’ clients benefiting from Green Seal-certified cleaning services include commercial real estate companies Vornado Realty Trust, CBRE, and JLL; colleges University of Virginia and George Mason University; government agencies the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. General Services Administration, and leading companies such as Facebook and The Ritz Carlton, among others.

ABOUT GSF

Founded in 1963, Group Services France (GSF) is an international cleaning solutions company providing commercial cleaning and support services for a wide variety of facilities spanning the globe. Based in France, GSF has international branches in England, Spain, Canada, Monaco and the United States. GSF established U.S. operations in 1987. The U.S Corporate Headquarters and home office for the Indiana business is in Indianapolis, Ind. The home office for the Ohio business is in Cincinnati, Ohio and the home office for the Illinois business is in Des Plaines, Ill. Learn more at www.gsf-usa.com.