Green Cleaning
Green cleaning, in a nutshell, is an approach to cleaning that protects the health of people without harming the environment. When you implement a green cleaning program, you’re simultaneously protecting human health and the environment.
- Green Cleaning for Dummies, pg. 21
Stephan Ashkin & David Holley
Over the last 5 years, or so, the cleaning industry has been profoundly changed by the Journey to Cleaning Green. All types of facilities, from health care to schools to office buildings, are learning the benefits of cleaning green. Many facilities have, to one degree or another, started moving towards cleaning green procedures and products.
This process is referred to as a “Journey” for several reasons. First, because programs and products are implemented over a period of time. Second, because cleaning green is still evolving, whether through new guidelines / certifications or new technology or new scientific testing and evaluation.
ICS is uniquely qualified to assist your facility on the Journey. Since 2003, we have made a commitment to understanding the key elements of cleaning green. Below are some of the activities and programs we have been involved with to learn, understand and help implement cleaning green in school districts:
- Lapeer Schools were the first to investigate Green Cleaning and started the process in January of 2004. The test school Head Custodians visited Spartan Chemical in June of ’04 and approved the program. Full chemical implementation began in August of 2004.
- Sponsored the first Green Cleaning workshop in Southeast Michigan in March of 2004.
- Began using the Healthy Schools Campaign model in October of 2005 after meeting with them at the ISSA Convention.
- Green Cleaning meeting with Steve Ashkin, The Ashkin Group, one of our industry’s leading Green consultants, March 2006.
- Participated in the development and implementation of the Great Lakes Sanitary Supply Association Green Cleaning Seminar, the first state wide Seminar, in March of 2007.
- The only Michigan distributor to be a Stakeholder in the revision of Green Seal’s GS-37 standard for institutional cleaners, 2007 into 2008.
- Assisted Walled Lake Community Schools in beginning the Journey to Green Cleaning, August 2007.
Cleaning Green Implementation
ICS can assist your organization with the Journey through:
- Conducting a Cleaning Green Audit – an analysis of your facility to determine what programs and products are apropos to your Journey.
- Cost analysis of any Audit recommendations – Cleaning Green does not cost more than traditional cleaning!
- Development of a plan for implementation.
- Testing protocols for any new procedures and/or products.
- In-service training for your staff to help understand the purpose of the program and product requirements.
- Assistance in communicating the nature of the Journey and its goals with all your stakeholders.
- Monitoring the progress of your Journey and revising as needed.
- On-going support through monitoring and communicating new programs, processes and products pertinent to your Journey and considered significant to Cleaning Green.
Cleaning Green Reference Websites
The Ashkin Group
www.ashkingroup.com
Cleaning Industry Research Institute
www.ciri-research.org
Carpet and Rug Institute
www.carpet-rug.com
EPA Design for the Environment (DfE)
www.epa.gov/dfe
Green Cleaning for Dummies
www.greencleaningfordummies.com
Green Seal
www.greenseal.org
Health Schools Campaign
www.greencleanschools.org
International Sanitary Supply Association
www.issa.com
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
www.michigan.gov/deq
Pro-Team / Cleaning for Health
www.pro-team.com
Spartan Green Solutions Website
www.green-solutions.com
terrachoice / EcoLogo Program
www.terrachoice.com
United States Green Building Council
www.usgbc.org
