Green Cleaning Program Highlights
| Technology / Practice | Benefits / Highlights |
| Cleaning Chemicals | Program Details |
| Dilution control systems | Concentrate products are diluted through an automatic proportioning system which reduces packaging waste and transportation energy use. Packaging can be recycled. Product use is minimized and products are used safely because chemicals are always mixed at the proper dilution. |
| Green Seal, DFE, EcoLogo or Ecolabel certified cleaning products | Environmentally friendly and less toxic. |
| Use of electrolzyed/ioned water, or liquified ozone as cleaning agents | Chemicals are eliminated. After cleaning, products quickly return to being water. |
| Use of bio-based cleaning products | Products manufactured from naturally derived ingredients. |
| Minimize number of products used | Training and record keeping (i.e. MSDS library) are simplified. |
| Minimize disinfectants use | Use only as required (i.e. primary contact surfaces). Use an EPA registered disinfectant if needed. |
| Use cold water when mixing chemicals | Energy is not wasted heating water. |
| Spray chemical on microfiber rag instead of directly on surface | Less chemical is used. Minimizes aerosolization/atomization of chemical products. |
| Hard Surface Floor Care | |
| Conduct an initial surface analysis | Floor may not require any finish/sealer eliminating the need for most restorative maintenance procedures and many chemical products. |
| Green Seal, DFE, EcoLogo or Ecolabel certified floor finishes | Environmentally friendly and less toxic products. |
| Green Seal, DFE, EcoLogo or Ecolabel certified floor strippers | Environmentally friendly and less toxic products. |
| Use of cold water in accordance with chemical stripper product guidelines | Energy is not wasted heating water. |
| Strip floors using orbital scrubber technology | No chemical stripper required. Water and chemical use can be reduced up to 70%. Noise level of less than 70dBA. Chemical control method for optimal rate dispensing. |
| Reduced frequency of restorative maintenance operations | Strip and refinish floors only as needed, not on a fixed schedule. Fewer chemicals and products are used. Properly ventilate area during and after restorative operations. |
| Occupant notification and timing of work | Building occupants are not exposed to dust and chemical odors. |
| Use of autoscrubbers that utilize electrolzyed water as a cleaning agent | Chemicals are not used. Less water is used (up to 70%). Noise level of less than 70dBA. |
| Low water use autoscrubbers | Less water is used (up to 70%). Chemical use can be reduced up to 90%. Productivity is increased as fewer trips are required to empty water tank, maximizing battery charging time. Noise level of less than 70dBA. Chemical control method for optimal rate dispensing. |
| Use of bio-based cleaning agents / restorers | Products manufactured from naturally derived ingredients. Maintenance procedures can be minimized, maximizing battery charging time if applied with an autoscrubber. |
| Use of autoscrubber-applied or mop-on restorers instead of spray-on solutions | Minimizes aerosolization of chemical products. |
| Dust collection mechanism used on burnishing equipment | Fewer particulates released into building environment, reducing occupant exposure and need for dusting or vacuuming. |
| Recyled content floor pads | Made from 100% post-consumer and post industrial recycled material. |
| Use of more environmentally-friendly equipment batteries (i.e. gel batteries and AGM - absorbed glass mat) | Low VOC, some types can be recycled, do not contain lead acid.. |
| Mops and Wipers | |
| Microfiber dust mops | Effectively trap dust and particulates. Eliminate chemically treated dust mops. Longer lasting than conventional mops. |
| Microfiber damp mops | Longer lasting than conventional mops and use less water. |
| Recycled content wet and finish mops | Contain up to 100% recycled post-consumer PET, 66% post-consumer waste and 67% post-industrial waste. |
| Bamboo mop handles | Bamboo is a rapidly rewable material. Made from 65% bamboo and 35% reclaimed hardwood. |
| Microfiber wipers | Effectively trap dust and particulates. Elminate use of paper towels as a cleaning tool. Minimize use of other disposable cleaning tools. Microfiber cloths can be repeatedly laundered and reused. |
| Conduct a dusting / spot-cleaning chemical use assessment | Only use chemical if required. Initiallly use microfiber dry or dampened with water only. |
| Vacuuming and Carpet Care | |
| Use CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) Green Label Certified, HEPA or high-filtration vacuums | More effectively contain dust and particulates. Noise level of less than 70dBA. |
| Inspect vacuum regularly (every 2 hours of use) | Change filter as required. Empty or replace vacuum bags when half full for optimal equipment performance. |
| Use of of low-moisture restorative cleaning equipment (i.e. carpet extractors) | Minimizes water use. Drying times can be reduced to less than one hour, minimizing mold growth possibilities. Noise level of less than 70dBA. Chemical control method for optimal rate dispensing. |
| Occupant notification and timing of work | Building occupants are not exposed to dust and chemical odors. Provide sufficient airflow (i.e. blower and fan installation) to reduce drying times to 12 hours or less. |
| Hand Soap, Paper Products, Plastic Bags | |
| Use a Green Seal Certified hand soaps | Recyclable packaging, no harmful chemicals, dispensing system designed to minimize packaging and product waste |
| Use Green Seal Certified paper products (i.e. toilet tissue, hand towels) | Made with 100% recycled content and up to 82% post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content. There are no harmful whitening processes (Process Chlorine Free). Designed with use-minimization, and waste-minimization dispensing systems, and efficient, recycled content and recyclable packaging. |
| Plastic bags / trash can liners | Plastic bags must have a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled content (GS-42), a higher percentage (up to 60%) if possible. Use biodegradable bags when possible. |
| Minimize plastic bag use | Only throw away soiled office trash bags. Empty trash and leave bag if not soiled. |
| Urinal Blocks and Restroom Automatic Deodorizers | |
| Eliminate urinal blocks, use screens only. | Eliminates unecessary harmful chemicals and source of VOCs. |
| Eliminate restroom automatic deodoroizers. | Eliminates unecessary harmful chemicals and source of VOCs. If necessary, use a non-aerosol deodorizing system (i.e. a gel-based wicking system or fragrance-infused recyclable plastic beads) that do not generate additional VOCs. |
| Entrance Matting Systems | |
| Recycled content matting | Made from 100% post-consumer PET recycled fiber (carpet) and 15% post-consumer recycled tires (backing). |
| Meet GS-42 requirements: 6-10 feet of scraper/wiper matting, 6-10 feet of wiper matting for a total of 12-20 feet of matting at each entry point | Contains soil to prevent migration throughout building. |
| Vacuum entrance areas more frequently (typically at least twice per day) | Prevent migration of contaminants into building. |
| Snow Removal | |
| EcoMelt® used on all Stairways, Secondary Walkways and Ramps | Eliminated use of sodium chloride in areas immediately surrounding buildings |
| Other | |
| Hybrid vehicle for campus operations | Fuel consumption minimized. |
| Turn off lights in work areas. Only turn on lights in immidate work area as required. Make sure all lights and other unnecessary powered devices are shut down at the end of the work shift. | Minimize energy consumption. |
| Sources: GS-42, Green Seal Enviromental Standard for Cleaning Services; Johnson Diversey Healthy High Performance Cleaning Program; FMO Green Cleaning Program | |
| Prepared August 6, 2008 | |
| Revised October 14, 2009 | |
Contact Us
For information contact Jason Luke, Associate Director of Custodial and Support Services at 617-495-7847, or email jason_luke at harvard dot edu
