Sustainability Services

The gold standard in green cleaning

Green cleaning is about much more than which chemical is used in a spray bottle. Directly or indirectly, it’s hard to find an aspect of a business that green cleaning doesn’t touch. It helps you manage your resources more efficiently. It can improve the health and well-being of everyone who visits your space. It increases your ability to attract and retain tenants and employees. And it conveys to the community that your company is a good partner and neighbor.

Today, green cleaning is one of the most important topics in the facility services industry. It’s hard to believe that just 20 years ago, it was a novel concept. In 2004, members of our UG2 team were instrumental in helping launch the first comprehensive green services initiative. At the time, they worked for UNICCO Service Company. We named our program after our former employer as an homage to our roots.

Sustainable operations practices matter

It may look like it’s standing still, but your building is a highly dynamic place.

The HVAC is constantly cycling. Sensors regulate water and electricity. Using the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, mobility, satellite, and cloud-based innovations help us do more than understand how your building is performing right now—they help us to accurately predict how it will perform in the future. Armed with this information, we can make better-informed decisions, plan smarter, realize greater efficiencies, and create higher quality facility services.

Our technicians can obtain electric, gas, and water meter readings by scanning asset QR codes with smartphones during their rounds. By pulling that plant log data, which is stored in the cloud, into an analytic platform, we can see usage levels, anticipate when repairs may be needed, take steps to proactively prevent equipment breakdowns, and help customers determine when run-to-fail makes more sense than repairs.

Currently we implement:

• Overnight and weekend HVAC temperature reductions
• Reusable water bottle filling stations
• Dual flush water stools
• Motion activated bathroom sink fixtures
• LED lightbulbs
• Motion and light sensors in offices, hallways and gathering spaces
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for grounds management

Going green keeps your operation in the black

Energy savings
At UG2, we have some of the industry’s finest facility services experts and engineers. Schedule an energy audit and our experts will pinpoint any issues that are putting an unnecessary strain on your resources. Insulation problems. Air exchange inefficiencies. Underperforming equipment. Our audit team tailors its recommendations specifically to each building’s usage and occupancy to ensure the biggest benefit for our campus community.

High performance buildings that work on every level
Packed with sensors and other innovations, these high-performance buildings are designed to be ultra-efficient. They even provide data that allows us to optimize performance and proactively address potential issues before they become problems. 

Whether we're dealing with new construction or renovating existing buildings, UG2 can conduct energy audits when necessary. We diagnose and resolve issues, so each space is not only high performance, but highly competitive with other buildings. We are also experts in the LEED certification process. 

We believe in 5-Star services and 100% accountability

Waste Management
Years of championing zero waste and waste reduction initiatives have enabled us to develop industry best practices for reducing waste. We begin by creating waste-reduction goals and operating procedures—and then communicate them clearly and consistently to everyone in the building. To increase productivity and decrease costs, we implement: 

• Centralized waste and recycling collection systems 
• Color-coded bag systems to manage the waste stream 
• Signage to encourage workplace adoption
• Taking unused furniture and other items and giving them to students or outside organizations who can use them

Recycling Programs
From office paper to coffee cups, the average office worker generates 4.4 pounds of waste every workday. To minimize the burden on the environment, UG2 maximizes potential recycling opportunities. Our holistic approach includes: 

• Bottles and jars (including clear, green, and brown glass) 
• White office paper (including copier, bond, computer) 
• Mixed office paper (including ledger paper, folders, pamphlets, brochures, envelopes)
• Newspaper & cardboard 
• Telephone and other books
• Encouraging the use of e-documents and centralized printers