Green Cleaning Certifications That Matter: LEED Points and Tenant Attraction in 2024

Green Cleaning Certifications Drive LEED Success and Tenant Attraction in 2024’s Competitive Commercial Real Estate Market

The commercial real estate landscape has transformed dramatically in 2024, with tenants increasingly demanding owners to conform to high performance green cleaning standards and LEED Certification. As building owners compete for quality tenants in an evolving market, green cleaning certifications have become essential tools for achieving LEED points while creating healthier, more attractive workspaces.

The LEED Points Advantage: Why Green Cleaning Matters More Than Ever

LEED is the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world. LEED certification offers a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings, providing environmental and social benefits. In 2024, significant updates were introduced to the LEED v4 standards, specifically focused on raising energy performance thresholds. Projects registering after March 1, 2024, will see a significant impact on the number of points awarded for energy performance credits.

With these stricter standards, the green cleaning portion of the standard can provide 6 or more points at little or no cost to the building owner. Among the credits to obtain LEED certification, 20% are directly related to how a building impacts human health. That makes having clean and healthy buildings a significant component of overall LEED requirements.

Essential Green Cleaning Certifications for LEED Success

Several key certifications help building owners maximize their LEED potential:

  • CIMS-GB (Green Building): This optional add-on to CIMS certification is aligned with the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED EB: O&M) rating system—helping your customers earn valuable points and trust.
  • Green Seal Certification: The cleaning products used in LEED-certified buildings must meet certain standards to qualify toward a credit. These standards include certifications by Green Seal or EcoLogo.
  • EPA Safer Choice: Products such as disinfectants have similar standards, including being certified as an EPA Safer Choice or meeting the California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC levels in specific categories.

Tenant Attraction: The Business Case for Green Cleaning

The connection between green cleaning and tenant attraction has never been stronger. Occupants in green certified buildings tend to be more satisfied than those in conventional buildings. The study also found that the greater the number of certifications a building possesses, the higher the level of tenant satisfaction.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, employers in LEED-certified spaces found that their employees were more productive, and they experienced high recruitment and retention rates. Because LEED-certified buildings are in high demand, owners can rent or sell for higher prices than other buildings. According to Cushman and Wakefield, LEED-certified buildings consistently average over 11% higher rent than other buildings.

There’s also growing evidence that healthy buildings improve existing employee performance and can be a distinctive draw when recruiting new employees. The consistent use of environmentally preferable products, high-performance equipment, and well-trained staff not only safeguards compliance but also improves occupant health, reduces operational costs, and enhances market value. In an increasingly competitive real estate market, buildings that can demonstrate both certified sustainability and documented operational excellence are better positioned to attract and retain tenants.

2024 Market Trends: Health and Sustainability as Priorities

In recent years, organizations have elevated the importance of health as well as environmental and social responsibility (ESG) initiatives to the C-suite level. Beyond building facilities that advance green and environmental goals, how facilities are cleaned and maintained is integral to advancing sustainability initiatives and creating healthy buildings.

Environmental responsibility is becoming increasingly important for property owners and tenants as the world’s focus shifts towards sustainable practices. By utilizing green cleaning services that prioritize eco-friendly processes and products, property managers can boost their building’s environmental credentials and attract eco-conscious renters.

Implementing Green Cleaning for Maximum Impact

For building owners seeking to maximize both LEED points and tenant attraction, implementing comprehensive green cleaning programs is essential. In LEED-EBOM, green cleaning is not optional—buildings must implement a documented green cleaning policy that aligns with recognized environmental standards.

Professional Commercial Cleaning Services Atlantic County providers like Team Alpha Cleaning understand these requirements. Based in Camden County and serving Atlantic County businesses, they specialize in implementing green cleaning protocols that support LEED certification goals while creating healthier work environments.

Green cleaning is a category where leadership is already defined through credible standards such as Green Seal’s GS-42 Cleaning Services Certification and ISSA’s CIMS-GB. These standards recognize that, to be fully effective, green cleaning products and equipment must go hand in hand with green cleaning practices and procedures.

The Future of Green Cleaning and LEED

As we move further into 2024, the LEED O+M: Existing Buildings v5 draft proposes to allow projects to earn up to 2 points for using certified cleaning products and materials. Amid growing recognition that everyday products such as cleaners, floor care products and other facility care products can have a marked effect on indoor environmental quality.

Financially, a proven green cleaning program supports competitive positioning in the real estate market. Properties that can demonstrate verifiable operational sustainability may command higher rental rates and retain tenants longer, while also qualifying for tax incentives or sustainability grants in some jurisdictions.

Building owners who invest in certified green cleaning programs today position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market where tenant health, environmental responsibility, and LEED certification have become fundamental requirements rather than optional amenities.