Green Cleaning for Healthy Buildings

Green Cleaning – Cleaning for Health and Safety

A well-designed healthy building does not have to be complex or expensive. In schools, universities, hospitals, hotels, office buildings and other facilities, focusing in environmental stewardship can make a significant difference in the quality of the indoor environment while reducing risk to cleaning personnel and occupants.

Going Green
Billions of dollars annually are dedicated to labor, products and equipment to clean and maintain schools, hospitals, hotels, offices and other facilities. Protecting the built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity.

The US Green Building Councils rating system addresses the environmental and health impacts associated with design, construction and building operations. Their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building certification includes cleaning requirements and standards that are being adopted by public- and private-sector organizations that are committed to environmental stewardship.

 

 

Green Cleaning Standard LEED Standards         Who Said It’s Green? Our Position on Green Cleaners           Earth Care Green Guide Green Products & Systems         Clean – Healthy – Happy Indoor Air Quality & Vacuums           Green Cleaning Brochure Adopting Green Standards         The Sins of GreenWashing 2010 Edition from EcoLogo     Who are the “Green” Authorities? Green Building Council (USGBC) Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI & Seal Approval) Design for the Environment (DfE) Cleaning Industry Management Standards (CIMS) Looks at a Building Holistically, Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmosphere Material & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation & Upgrades Testing Of: Carpet Extractors Carpet Chemicals Systems (Equipment and Chemicals) Vacuums Focus on Manufactured Products. Chemicals Flame Retardants Electronics Focuses On: High Performance Cleaning Program Environment Preferable Cleaning Practices

 The 7 Sins of GreenWashing
An excellent article on “Green Marketing” UPDATED
      
7 Sins of GreenWashing Poster

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PRINCIPLES

• Clean for health first and appearance second.
• Minimize human exposure to contaminants and cleaning products.
• Recognize cleaning as an environmental health benefit.
• Commit to occupational development of cleaning personnel.
• Communicate the value of healthy buildings.
• Minimize chemical, particle and moisture residue when cleaning.
• Ensure worker and occupant safety.
• Contain and reduce all pollutants entering the building.
• Dispose of cleaning products in environmentally safe ways.
• Establish and document routine maintenance schedules.