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
Windsor
ProTeam
Product
Sensor
Supercoach
Super QuarterVac
TailVac
Pro 10 HEPA
CRI or Green Seal Ranking
CRI Certified – Bronze
CRI Certified – Bronze
CRI Certified – Bronze
CRI Certified – Bronze
CRI Certified – Silver
EXTRACTORS / FLOOR CARE MACHINES
Manufacturer
Product
CRI or Green Seal Ranking
Windsor
Commodore 20 Extractor
CRI Certified – Gold
Cadet 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
Rubbermaid
Impact Industries
Product
Microfiber cleaning cloths
Microfiber looped mop
Green Seal Ranking
Recommended
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
Ecolab
Product
Peroxide Neutral Cleaner
Non-acid Bathroom Cleaner
Bio-Based Glass Cleaner
Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner
Green Seal Ranking
Certified
Certified
Certified
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
Ecolab
Zinc-Free Floor Finish
Zinc-Free Floor Finish Remover
Phazer Floor Finish
Glosstek Urethane Finish
Revitalize 151 Carpet
Pre-Spray/Shampoo
Green Seal Ranking
Certified
Certified
Recommended
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
Georgia Pacific
Product
Antibacterial Hand Soap
Green Seal Ranking
EPA Registered
Only 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
Georgia Pacific
EnMotion Paper Towel
Multi-Fold Towel
Centerpull Towel
Envision 2-ply Toilet Paper
Compact Coreless TP
Recycled Content
80%
40%
40%
95%
95%
Green Seal Rank
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
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
TYCO
Covalence
Heritage
Petoskey Plastic
Product
Rhino-X HDPE 16mic. Liner
Eco-Choice liners
BioTuf Compostable Liner
Recycling bins
Recycled Content
0%
<50%
0%
70%
Sustainable Practices
 Liners will only be replaced when soiled due to organic waste.
Green Seal Rank
Recommended
Recommended