COLORADO COLLEGE
CUSTODIAL DEPARTMENT GREEN CLEANING
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
What is Green Cleaning?
Green cleaning is simply defined as cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. It is a widely accepted movement to make cleaning for the health of the building occupants and workers a primary concern, while minimizing the environmental impact of cleaning. This is achieved though the use of products and practices that achieve or surpass previously used methods of cleaning but without potentially hazardous chemicals and with an emphasis on environmental sustainability.
Purpose of a Green Cleaning Program
The average person spends about 90% of their day indoors, where air pollution from diverse sources such as cleaners, upholstery, and carpeting can be up to 100 times greater than outdoor air. In addition, it has been found that some widely used cleaning products have serious adverse effects on the health of building occupants and janitors.
These same cleaning products can also harm the natural environment. There are over 70,000 chemicals being used today, and fewer than 2% have been thoroughly tested for their effects on human and aquatic life. Cleaning products are responsible for approximately 8% of non-vehicular emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds, which can trigger respiratory problems such as asthma, contribute to smog formation, and inhibit plant growth. Chemicals in cleaning products also contribute to the toxic waste stream when they are disposed of. Addressing these concerns is the cornerstone of a green cleaning program.
Green cleaning is a comprehensive approach to cleaning that involves several factors, including the utilization of environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals, improved dilution or delivery systems, more efficient equipment and processes and a thorough, systematic training program. Together these add up to a program that improves Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) while improving worker safety and performance. Green cleaning also emphasizes a product’s entire life cycle, favoring concentrated products and products that are recyclable or reusable or packaged using minimal materials that can be recycled or reused.
The Colorado College Green Cleaning Program
The Colorado College green cleaning program has been in place campus-wide since fall of 2007 following a thorough pilot project using teams from both residential and academic areas of campus. We also partnered with our chemical and supply vendors to assist with selection of products and equipment. As a result of this research we developed the core of our green cleaning program. We also continue to evaluate products, processes and equipment for inclusion into the program.
Since the program began we have reduced our chemical inventory by half, while using only four core green seal-approved chemicals to complete 90% or more of all cleaning. We have also installed better chemical dispensing systems and switched all paper cloths and cotton mops with microfiber. We also include green janitorial products such as recycled paper products and CRI-approved vacuum cleaners and floor cleaning equipment in our effort to make our service as sustainable as possible. (See approved products and sustainable practices)
Training: At the core of our green cleaning program is training. All custodians are fully trained on green cleaning techniques using hands-on training in a small group setting. Vendors are often used as they provide subject matter expertise and 3rd party experiences.
Occupant Education and Feedback: All building occupants are made aware of the Green Cleaning program. Students are informed through the use of tent cards that are placed in each student room informing them that their rooms were cleaned using green cleaning chemicals and techniques. The cards were also printed on recycled paper to help students become familiar with the recycling program on campus.
Quantitative Performance Measurement and Quality Assurance: Service quality is regularly monitored to ensure the clean and pleasant environment of all campus buildings. Buildings are regularly evaluated by management using several different means including the use of handheld devices running cleaning management software. Management also monitors the type and amount of products being used periodically throughout the year.
Approved Products and Sustainable Practices
Equipment and Tools: Equipment will be Green Seal, Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), or NFSI (National Floor Safety Institute) approved. Equipment is also selected for its ability to increase productivity & safety and/or for improved cleaning effectiveness.
VACUUM CLEANERS
Manufacturer Product CRI or Green Seal Ranking
Windsor / Sensor / CRI Certified – BronzeProTeam / Supercoach / CRI Certified – Bronze
Super QuarterVac / CRI Certified – Bronze
TailVac / CRI Certified – Bronze
Pro 10 HEPA / CRI Certified – Silver
EXTRACTORS / FLOOR CARE MACHINES
Manufacturer Product CRI or Green Seal Ranking
Windsor / Commodore 20 Extractor / CRI Certified – GoldCadet Extractor / CRI Certified – Gold
Mini Pro Extractor / CRI Certified – Silver
Advance / Riding Autoscrubber / CRI Certified – Bronze
Clarke / Focus II Boost Autoscrubber / NFSI Approved
Sustainable Practices
§ Propane-powered floor equipment is used only when building is unoccupied
§ Variable rate dispensing is used on powered floor machines
§ Annual Preventative Maintenance schedule maintained on all machines
§ Vacuums will be equipped with proper filters / bags and changed per manufacturer’s recommendations
§ Matting will be used on the inside and outside of building entrances to reduce soil from entering building areas.
o 6-10 ft of scraper/wiper matting followed by 6-10ft of wiper matting is recommended
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Manufacturer Product Green Seal Ranking
Rubbermaid / Microfiber cleaning cloths / RecommendedImpact Industries / Microfiber looped mop / Recommended
Sustainable Practices
§ Microfiber mops and cloths will be used for all cleaning unless there are barriers for use (rubber, concrete, etc.)
Cleaning Chemicals: The core chemicals will meet all Green Seal criteria for being environmentally preferable at minimum or Green Seal certified in accordance with GS-37 (Institutional Cleaners), GS-41 (Hand Cleaners and Hand Soaps), GS-01 (Bathroom Tissue Paper), GS-09 (Paper Towels), and GS-40 (Floor Care Chemicals) guidelines. Specialty products for which there is no written standard will be used in a limited and controlled fashion. Furthermore, the unit uses the Ecolab line of bio-derived Green Seal cleaners, a peroxide floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner using a citrus base and and a vinegar-based glass cleaner.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
Manufacturer Product Green Seal Ranking
Ecolab / Peroxide Neutral Cleaner / CertifiedNon-acid Bathroom Cleaner / Certified
Bio-Based Glass Cleaner / Certified
Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner / EPA Registered
Sustainable Practices
§ All core chemicals will be dispensed using Ecolab QuikClik dispenser in ultra concentrated 1.3L containers
§ Products will be purchased in concentrated form and in packaging that minimizes the amount of packaging and waste
§ Quantities of chemical used will be evaluated routinely throughout the year
§ Disinfectants will be dispensed using pump sprayers to minimize amount used and to control spray to needed areas only. Disinfecting will only be done in areas where pathogens are likely to exist.
§ Only EPA registered disinfectants will be used and appropriate methods of use is outlined.
FLOOR CARE PRODUCTS
Manufacturer Product Green Seal Ranking
Ecolab / Zinc-Free Floor Finish / CertifiedZinc-Free Floor Finish Remover / Certified
Phazer Floor Finish
Glosstek Urethane Finish / Recommended
Revitalize 151 Carpet
Pre-Spray/Shampoo / Certified
Sustainable Practices
§ Floor maintenance plan consists of manufacturer’s recommendations for extending the life cycle of the flooring through routine, periodic and restorative practices.
§ Floor stripping is only done when absolutely necessary to restore flooring. Top scrubbing is limited to 2-3 times per year on all flooring. The floor finishes used must be durable in order to reduce frequency of scrubbing and refinishing to this level.
§ Clarke Focus II Boost machine will stripping pad will be used to strip floors whenever possible using water or low concentrate of Green Seal-approved neutral cleaner instead of stripper. Chemical strippers are not used.
HAND SOAPS
Manufacturer Product Green Seal Ranking
Georgia Pacific / Antibacterial Hand Soap / EPA RegisteredOnly antimicrobial soap is currently used on campus to limit exposure to pathogens, but we are currently piloting Green Seal certified hand soap in several areas of campus.
PAPER PRODUCTS
Manufacturer Product Recycled Content Green Seal Rank
Georgia Pacific / EnMotion Paper Towel / 80% / RecommendedMulti-Fold Towel / 40% / Recommended
Centerpull Towel / 40% / Recommended
Envision 2-ply Toilet Paper / 95% / Recommended
Compact Coreless TP / 95% / Recommended
Sustainable Practices
§ All paper will meet at a minimum the EPA guideline of 40% post-consumer recycled content. Higher percent content is preferable.
§ Non-bleached paper towels are preferred and will be used when available. Paper that is chlorine bleached will not be used.
§ Automatic paper towel dispensers will be used in all areas of campus. The dispensers will be set with the highest possible delay between dispensing cycles.
§ Toilet paper dispensers used on campus will be designed to maximize usage, i.e. coreless rolls.
§ Paper products will not be individually packaged and will be packaged with minimal use of materials.
CAN LINERS
Manufacturer Product Recycled Content Green Seal Rank
TYCO / Rhino-X HDPE 16mic. Liner / 0%Covalence / Eco-Choice liners / <50% / Recommended
Heritage / BioTuf Compostable Liner / 0%
Petoskey Plastic / Recycling bins / 70% / Recommended
Sustainable Practices
§ Liners will only be replaced when soiled due to organic waste.