Why Green Cleaning?
Why We Clean
• Appearance
• Health
– Remove and extract contaminants created by
• Dust
• Pesticides
• VOCs
• Allergens
• Metals, Lead, Cadmium
• Particulates
• Moisture
• Food Sources
Why We Clean
• Why Clean for Health
– 90% of time is spent indoors
– Indoor air can be 2 to 5 times as bad
as outdoor air
– Cancer
• #1 disease related cause of death in children
• 8500 children diagnosed with cancer each year
– More
• Increased cases of Autism
• Learning disabilities and hyperactive behavior
Mold
• Mold often grows in rooms with both high water usage
and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry
rooms, and basements
• Most molds do not harm healthy people. But people who
have allergies or asthma may be more sensitive to
molds. Sensitive people may experience skin rash,
running nose, eye irritation, cough, nasal congestion,
aggravation of asthma or difficulty breathing. People with
an immune suppression or underlying lung disease, may
be at increased risk for infections from molds.
• Don’t let this be a problem in your dormitories!
The Impact of Buildings
• Human Impacts
– 3 Million Custodians/Housekeepers
• Numbers higher due to turnover
• Workman’s Compensation
– Building Occupant Exposures
• Impact on health and productivity
• Litigation and Liability
– Sensitive Populations
• Children
• Seniors
• Those with health conditions
The Impact of Cleaning on the
Environment
• The Commercial Cleaning Industry
Produces
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6 Billion Pounds of Chemicals
4.5 Billion Pounds of Paper
35 Billion Pounds of Plastic Liners
250 Million Pounds of Vacuums & Equipment
The Impact of Cleaning on the
Environment
• Food for Thought
– Cleaning can make an enormous impact
toward protecting public health, improving
performance and reducing environmental
burdens
– What is purchased, the products used and
how they are used can make an important
difference
Green Cleaning
• What is Green Cleaning
• products and services that reduce the
health and environmental impacts
compared to similar products and services
used for the same purpose.”
It’s a journey and must
positively affect both health
and the environment
Green Cleaning – Minimum
Requirements
• Chemicals
– Cleaners: Green Seal GS-37, other standards
– Floor Finish: Sustainable, metal-free
– Carpet: Green Seal
– Hand Soaps: Non-antimicrobial
• Paper & Liners
– Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines
– Green Seal
– Chlorine-Free Paper Association
• Equipment
– Vacuums: CRI Green Label Program
– Floor Machines: Vacuum attachments
Green Cleaning
• Entry mats
• Tools & Equipment
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–
–
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Micro-fiber mops & cloths
Vapor machines
High-efficiency carpet extractors
Water-conserving tools & devices
• Hand Hygiene
• Training and SOPs
• Communication - occupants
Green Cleaning
• Use and maintain Entry Way Systems
– High quality mats (not all mats are created
equal)
– Inside and out
– 10 to 12 feet
– Erect barriers
– Clean inside and outdoors
70% to 80% of all soils are
tracked in the front door!
Green Cleaning
• Use dispensing equipment or
appropriately measure chemical
– Improves Safety
– Reduces Consumption 35 to 65%
– Reduces Costs
Green Cleaning Equipment
• Use quality cleaning equipment
– Filters on floor equipment
– CRI Green Label Vacuums (www.carpetrug.com)
– Floor scrubbers that minimize water use
– Filtration, Suction, Airflow, Durability &
Ergonomics
– Carpet extractors that get carpets dry
Green Cleaning
• Practice Integrated Pest Management
– Consider Alternative Pest Management first –
chemicals as last resort
– Work with Pest Management Contractor to
implement and communicate the program
– Integrated Pest Management – MSU
• http://www.ipm.msu.edu/
Green Cleaning
• Practice Stewardship and Shared
Responsibility
– Create Stewardship/Green Team
• Facility Operations Staff Member
• Building Occupant
• Outside Building Contractors
• Management/Administration
– Meet to discuss current issues, share ideas
and solutions
– Communicate objectives and successes to
your community
What Does This Mean for You?
• Healthier indoor environment
• Less Risk if you have health or sensitivity
to chemicals and dust
• Green products available to you as a
student to use in your dormitory rooms to
contribute to a healthier environment also.
• Be a good neighbor – applying cleaning
for health (green cleaning) in your own
space makes a healthier building over all!
Student Green Cleaning Program
• We use three chemicals around campus
for our daily cleaning. These will be
available to you in a ready-to-use spray
bottle.
• When you need a replenishment, bring
your empty bottle back for a refill.
• Doodleduster cloth will also be available to
you.
• Microfiber Mop will also be available to
you.