Redefining the Value of Cleaning: Shedding Light on Gratitude in Daily Life

Redefining the Value of Cleaning

Koei Building Service, located in Katsushika, Tokyo, has recently achieved the prestigious Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp™) certification. This qualification not only recognizes the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility but also signifies a shift in how the cleaning industry perceives its value.

Challenging the Norms of the Cleaning Industry

Traditionally, the cleaning industry has focused primarily on one main task: keeping spaces clean. However, Koei Building Service seeks to elevate this perspective by bringing attention to the often-invisible values associated with cleanliness. A clean environment significantly contributes to the comfort and safety of individuals in both their homes and workplaces. The company firmly believes that acknowledging these values is crucial for society, which has led them to expand their business operations and community activities accordingly.

These values, while critical, often go unnoticed in everyday life. Hidden within what may seem like ordinary routines are essential aspects that warrant appreciation—essentially, seeds of gratitude that flourish unnoticed amidst our daily activities.

Visualizing Value Through Education and Community Initiatives

One notable initiative by Koei Building Service is the Kizuku Project, an educational program designed to nurture awareness in children through litter-picking activities. Over the past three years, the program has held 11 events with approximately 150 young participants. Through these sessions, children have shown remarkable shifts in perspective, such as:

- Increased awareness of their immediate surroundings;
- Raised interest in the people who support their community;
- Recognition of the roles and responsibilities embedded in their daily lives.

The Kizuku Project transcends mere environmental beautification; it serves as an opportunity for participants to learn how to engage with society meaningfully.

Community Engagement as a Core Activity

Koei Building Service actively promotes community connection by opening its office to the public and serving as a space for interaction. By situating their operations within the broader context of community life, they strive to build sustainable relationships, aiming for continual creation of value alongside community members.

The Significance Behind B Corp Certification

The B Corp certification embodies a holistic assessment of a company's operations, weighing not only profitability but also its social and environmental impact and transparency in management. This recent achievement indicates that Koei's efforts in the cleaning sector and community engagement have been recognized against international benchmarks.

Continuously Questioning the Value of Cleaning

Despite being an essential service, the significance of cleaning often goes unnoticed in society. Therefore, Koei Building Service continues to question and explore the deeper values behind the act of cleaning. The acquisition of the B Corp certification marks an essential step in opening up this dialogue within society. The company is committed to creating moments for individuals to recognize and appreciate the inherent value nestled within their daily lives.