Green Cleaning

Getting Started

What is Green Cleaning?

Green Cleaning can be defined as “cleaning that protects health without harming the environment.” 

The federal government has defined “Green” and “environmentally preferred purchasing” as “…products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products and services that serve the same purpose.”  -- Executive Order 13101 which can be seen at www.ofee.gov/eo/13101.htm.

Both definitions focus on the impact cleaning has on the health of people as well as the impact it has on the environment.  Both definitions also describe a goal of striving to make sure cleaning has as positive an impact on human health and the environment as possible.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What Does Green Cleaning Mean To Us?

Green Cleaning is a comprehensive approach to cleaning that combines chemicals, equipment, tools and disposables.  Most importantly, Green Cleaning also provides the processes, training and communication to produce an effective and safe cleaning program.

How Do I Know What Is “Green” and What Isn’t?

There are several third party organizations that define environmentally preferable ingredients, characteristics, and performance standards of products that we use to clean, as well as the buildings we are cleaning.  Some of the most prominent and widely accepted guidelines include:

United States Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System:  The USGBC is a non-profit organization of representatives from across the building industry leading a national consensus for producing a new generation of buildings that deliver high performance inside and out.  The USGBC’s mission is “to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.”

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):  The EPA is a federal agency whose mission is “to protect human health and the environment.”  The EPA has established guidelines for the federal government concerning the purchase of materials called the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) This information can be found at www.epa.gov/cpg.  This standard recommends the minimum post consumer waste content a purchaser should request for products being purchased.  The products that are referenced from the cleaning industry include disposable products like paper towels (40% post consumer waste content), toilet tissue (20%) www.epa.gov/products/tissue.htm , and trash bags (10%)  www.egp.gov/cpg/products/trashbag.htm.  Bottom Line:  The EPA guidelines are referenced as the requirement to meet in the Sustainable Cleaning products and Materials section of the LEED-EB Green Building Rating System.

EPA Design for the Environment (DfE):  In addition to the aforementioned CPG, the EPA also has DfE, which is a partnership program that works with individual industry sectors to compare and improve the performance and human health and environmental risks and costs of existing and alternative products, processes, and practices.  EPA supports using “benign by design” principles in the design, manufacture, and use of chemicals and chemical processes – a concept known as “green chemistry”.  For our industry, the DfE Green Formulation Initiative for Industrial and Institutional Cleaning Products has created a list of ‘Green” ingredients for chemical formulators to use called CleanGredients tm.  The DfE is creating this data base in partnership with Green Blue Institute.  Additional information can be found at www.epa.gov/dfe, www.greenblue.org, and www.cleangredients.org.  Bottom Line:  The EPA DfE Program can be used to identify cleaning chemicals that have demonstrated an environmentally preferable profile.

Green Seal:  Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.  Green Seal’s Mission:  “To achieve a more sustainable world by promoting environmentally responsible production, purchasing, and products.”  Green Seal has standards for several categories including Industrial & Institutional Cleaners, Industrial & Institutional Floor-Care Products, Degreasers, Green Procurement Criteria, Green Facilities Operations and Maintenance Criteria, Paper Towels and Paper Napkins, and Tissue Paper, just to name a few.  Bottom Line:  Green Seal certifies products and services that meet certain performance and environmental impact qualifications.  The Green Seal GS-37 standard for Industrial

& Institutional Cleaners is referenced as the requirement to meet in the Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials section of the LEED-EB - Green Building Rating System.  More information can be found at www.greenseal.org.

Carpet and Rug Institute – Green Label Certification (CRI): 

The Carpet and Rug Institute is the national trade organization representing the carpet and rug industry.  In an effort to promote better indoor air quality, CRI has developed the Green Label certification for carpet, cushion, adhesives, and vacuum cleaners.  To qualify for the Green Label, vacuum cleaners must go through a stringent testing process that measures three key performance factors:  soil removal, dust containment, and carpet appearance retention.  More information can be found at www.carpet-rug.org.
Bottom Line:  CRI Green Label vacuum cleaners, and other equipment that is demonstrably better for indoor air quality, are recognized and promoted in the Low Environmental Impact Cleaning Equipment Policy section of the LEED-EB Green Building Rating System.

What Is A Green Cleaning Program?

A green cleaning program is one that combines environmentally preferred products with good sound cleaning procedures, training and expertise to create an effective and safe cleaning program.

Where Can I Learn More?

For additional information on developing a Green Cleaning Program for your Facility, please contact Bruce Whitston, Colonial Paper Company.

bdwhitston@cpc4me.com
800-800-4337