Why Nature-Based Solutions are the Future of Industrial Hygiene

The pressures on the contemporary industry, both on the manufacturing facilities and the corporate headquarters, as well as on the hospitals and transportation centers, have never been higher. Organizations are obliged to achieve high levels of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, be as efficient in their operations, and, most importantly, keep high standards of Industrial Hygiene. Too long, this final need was addressed with harsh and volatile chemicals, which, though effective, brought with them their own issues: bad indoor air quality, health hazard to the staff and being environmentally toxic.

A paradigm change is in the process of taking place today with the innovators leading the pack, such as Ekam Eco Solutions, a venture with IIT Delhi. Clean does not have a future, it is natural. The new and high-performance alternative is Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), shifting the meaning of clean, compliant, and responsible. This philosophy is more focused on the environmental and user health, and long-term saving of costs, which is a paradigm shift in the work of sustainable commercial buildings and industries.

The Problem with the Conventional Chemical Approach

Conventional Industrial Hygiene is dependent on synthetic chemicals in large measure: most of them emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. Although these products are effective in the elimination of pathogens, they are very active in the destruction of indoor air quality, which is very essential in high-traffic areas such as airports, schools, and hospitals. Exposure to harsh and chemical-filled cleaners may result in:

• Health Hazards: Exposure risks for cleaning staff and building occupants.

• Environmental Pollution: Toxic residues entering the wastewater stream.

• Corrosion and Damage: Long-term damage to expensive infrastructure.

• Odor Masking: Many chemical products simply mask odors rather than neutralizing them at the source, creating a persistent challenge of odor control in high-footfall areas.

To firms aiming to become Green-Pro certified or other high sustainability standards, use of these traditional approaches is a major setback.

The Rise of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

Nature-Based Solutions use the power of natural biological processes, enzymes and non-toxic substances to attain high levels of cleanliness and hygiene. They do not fight nature, but collaborate with it, providing a Chemicalless efficacy which is not only safer, but more sustainable than that.

Ekam Eco Solutions has designed a complete range of NBS to fit the challenging industrial and commercial applications of its field experience and research of more than 12 years.

1. Chemical-Free Surface Cleaning Solutions

The daily cleaning of floors, glass, and surfaces is where chemical usage is most rampant. Ekam’s alternative are natural, Green-Pro Certified, and VOC-free housekeeping solutions. These products achieve high-performance cleaning without leaving harmful residues.

In offices and hospitals, where air quality is directly related to health and productivity, this natural housekeeping solution improves the indoor environment while reducing chemicals added into the air and makes it easier for compliance with green building standards. These are VOC-free commercial cleaning products that maintain high standards of cleanliness.

2. Enzyme-Based Odor and Drain Management

Bad smells are mostly caused by the accumulation of organic waste, particularly in washrooms, kitchen,s and garbage collection. Cover-up agents do not work. Nature-Based Solutions use special enzyme blends to dissolve the organic material (grease, grime, and bio-waste) that renders the odor.

• Odor Management: Solutions neutralize odors at the source, rather than just covering them up. This is vital for customer-facing businesses like cinemas, hotels, and commercial complexes, where the guest experience is paramount.

  
  

• Drain Line Cleaning: Enzyme cleaners are drain cleaners that are employed to dissolve grease and organic waste in drain pipes. This makes the flow of high traffic areas such as food courts and hospitals easy and no clogs are formed, since they do not use corrosive and harsh chemicals that destroy the plumbing. This emphasis of drain cleaning through enzyme-based cleaning of food service helps in avoiding downtime and maintenance expenses.

  
  

3. The Water-Saving Zerodor Technology

Water conservation is one of the pillars of Ekam NBS strategy. Zerodor Waterless Urinal, a simple, mechanical, and Chemical-Free technology is an award winner in addressing the extreme waste of water. This technology has been used alone to save organisations more than 3.5 Billion+ Liters of water by eliminating the flush, thus saving them a lot of money on water bills and related sewage load. This renders Zerodor an important water conservation element of large institutions.

Meeting ESG Goals and Achieving Green-Pro Certification

The concept of Nature-Based Solutions is no longer a luxury in the framework of the contemporary organization; it is a strategic need that is pre-established by the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) need.

The contribution to the E in ESG is the direct use of Green-Pro certified products that are tested independently for minimal environmental impact. In addition, lessening the exposure to VOCs and chemicals improves the health and safety of the staff and visitors who come to the premises, which meets the S in ESG due to the focus on Industrial Hygiene and well-being.

These sustainable systems are utilized by institutions on both ends of the spectrum of the Indian Railways and the Indian Army, to corporate giants such as Tata, Coca-Cola, and DCB Bank. They give a clear way through which organizations can:

1. Reduce Operating Costs: A lower water bill, reduced treatment volume, and fewer chemicals purchased add up to significant operational savings through sustainable hygiene.

2. Ensure Compliance: Easily meet stringent discharge norms and pollution control regulations.

3. Enhance Reputation: Show a clear commitment to environmental responsibility to stakeholders and customers.

   
   

Advanced Sewage Treatment with Nature in Mind

Wastewater management is the last process of the hygiene cycle. Another philosophy that Ekam applies to Sewage Treatment (STP) is that of Nature-Based Solutions. Their small, environmentally friendly systems are able to do a quick, on-site treatment of wastewater. These treatment systems are commonly smell-free, simple to service, and built to the current discharge requirements, facilitating reuse of water and decreasing the dependency on outside sewage tankers, which is a key advantage when it comes to remote plants, campus colleges and hotels.

The future of the Industrial Hygiene is safe, sustainable and high-performing. With Nature-Based Solutions such as the ones that Ekam Eco Solutions provide, businesses have an opportunity to take a step outside of the vicious circle of chemicals. They have an opportunity to utilize Chemical-Free technology in order to make their working places healthier, save billions of liters of water, become Green-Pro, and develop a really sustainable operational model. The commercial cleaning of the natural enzyme technology is the ultimate measure towards a more responsible, clean, and greener industrial environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1.What exactly are Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the context of industrial hygiene?

A. Nature-based Solutions are cleaning and sanitation methods using natural, biological functions and non-toxic, Chemical-Free components (such as enzymes and microorganisms) instead of harsh artificial chemicals. They work by breaking down organic waste and odors at the sites, which results in improved, safer, and sustainable Industrial Hygiene without the necessity to compromise on performance.

Q2. How do NBS products compare in performance to traditional chemical cleaners?

A. NBS products are constructed to be highly performing and in many cases better than chemicals in performance features such as long term odor and drain management in that the cause of the problem (organic buildup) is neutralized and not just covered. More so, they do not contain VOCs and do not leave any toxic residues, which improves the quality of indoor air, which is imperative to the welfare of employees and visitors.

Q3. Do Nature-Based Solutions help an organization achieve Green Building or Green-Pro Certification?

A. Yes, they are extremely helpful. The use of Nature-Based Solutions, particularly the Green-Pro Certified ones (such as some of the products of Ekam Eco Solutions) has direct implications in reaching the sustainability goals. These solutions are consistent with the fundamental environmental requirements of green building standards by cutting down on water usage (e.g. waterless urinals), removal of toxic chemicals, and enhancement of indoor air quality.

Q4. Are Nature-Based Solutions available for complex issues like sewage treatment or only for surface cleaning?

A. Nature-based solutions are much more than mere cleaning of the surface. They are also successfully applied in complicated operational problems such as compact sewage treatment (STP) systems, in which they apply environmentally-friendly biological operations to treat the on-site wastewater. They are also extensively utilized in specialized odor and drain management in kitchens, hospitals, and high footfall public areas.