Why Go Green?

What is Green Cleaning?

Green Cleaning is the cleaning process involved in creating and maintaining healthy, high performance facilities while reducing adverse impact on cleaning staff, building occupants and the environment.

As defined by the U.S. Government:
“Green Cleaning is the use of products and services that reduces the health and environmental impacts [of cleaning] compared to similar products and services used for the same purpose” ~U.S. Government Executive Order 13101

Brulin’s definition of Environmentally Responsible Products:

Biodegradable
Phosphate-Free
APE & NPE Free
Nonflammable
Nontoxic
Reduced Fragrance & Dye
Ultra-Concentrates
User-Friendly Packaging
Independent Certification

Green Cleaning Standards

Many organizations are involved in standardizing, promoting and implementing Green Cleaning.
Design for the Environment (DfE):An EPA 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. EcoLogo: Established by the Canadian government, the Environmental Choice Program encourages the demand for and supply of products and services that are more environmentally responsible, and helps consumers make informed choices in favor of the environment. The Environmental Choice Program establishes stringent environmental criteria against which products and services are assessed and certified. Green Seal: A widely recognized green product certification. The Green Seal organization, is "an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause a less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion. Green Seal has no financial interest in the products that it certifies or recommends nor in any manufacturer or company." Healthy Schools Campaign: Advocates for policies and practices that allow all students, teachers and staff to learn and work in a healthy school environment. To promote green cleaning in schools, the Healthy Schools Campaign educates school administrators, teachers, facility managers and parents about the benefits of green cleaning. United States Green Building Council (USGBC): The USBGC is "a coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work." To do this, the USGBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®. LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System® created by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). LEED was created to: • Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement • Promote integrated, whole-building design practices • Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry • Stimulate green competition • Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits • Transform the building market. Green Cleaning helps a business or building earn points toward LEED Certification.

The Benefits of Green Cleaning

For Employers
Because of the health and liability risks to workers and building inhabitants coming into contact with cleaning products that are carcinogenic, contain toxins, neurotoxins, or other components that can be absorbed through the skin or by inhalation.

For Janitorial Contractors & Staffs
• 6 out of every 100 janitorial employees are injured on the job.
• 40% of these injuries involve eye irritations or burns
• 36% of these injuries involve skin irritations or burns
• 20% of these injuries involve severe chemical burns to the eyes and skin
• 12% of these injuries involve breathing chemical fumes

Cleaning For Health: Products and Practices
for a Safer Indoor Environment, Alicia Culver

For Schools
Studies find that the use of Green Cleaning procedures along with other Green Building operations, improves school attendance as well as performance in the classroom.

Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to a chronic illness and is responsible for over 14 million missed school days per year. An asthma attack can be triggered by indoor allergens and irritants, including strong odors from cleaning products.*

*American Lung Association

For HealthCare Facilities
Green Cleaning practices increase operational efficiency, and support an environmentally sustainable system that improves the health of patients, staff and the community. Green Cleaning practices in Healthcare Facilities are actively supported by the American Hospital Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Care Without Harm and the American Nurses Association.

For the Environment
Conserve energy and resources. Protect the land, air, water, and atmosphere.