From recycling cardboard and aluminum to composting food scraps and paper towels, green facilities are doing whatever they can to cut down on the amount of waste being sent to landfills.

These sustainable initiatives can even apply to vacuuming. When purchasing a machine, make sure equipment is durable. Also consider whether replacement parts such as fans and belts are easily available so the machine can be serviced rather than thrown away. Finally, reducing waste can be a conscious decision everyday with biodegradable dust bags. These bags are made of renewable resources and rather than being dumped into landfills, they are designed to break down aerobically at compost facilities