Implementing a Green Cleaning Program

In brief, green cleaning is an approach to the process of cleaning that protects the safety and health of a building’s occupants, while minimizing the impact on the environment. However, the implementation of a green cleaning program involves more than just swapping out a few traditional products for green cleaners.

Implementing a green cleaning program involves a number of key steps, including conducting a baseline survey, developing a plan that makes sense for the facility in question, selecting the right products and equipment, changing cleaning procedures, training employees, implementing an effective communications plan, and continually gathering feedback and improvement.

While it may sound daunting at first, there are a number of resources that will make the process of transitioning to a green cleaning program a rather simple one. Listed below are some resources that are readily available and have been proven to be effective approaches to implementing a sound green cleaning program. We encourage you to take advantage of the good work that has already been accomplished.

• ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard
• ISSA CIMS-Green Building
• Green Cleaning for Dummies
• Green Seal Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services
• Illinois Guidelines and Specifications for the Green Cleaning Schools Act
• Pennsylvania Green Buildings Operations and Maintenance Manual
• United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
   

ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard
ISSA is the worldwide cleaning industry association, representing more than 5,500 distributor, manufacturer, building service contractor, and in-house service provider companies. The ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) is a management framework designed to help building service contractors and in-house service providers develop quality, customer-centered organizations that are based on universally accepted principles that are the hallmark of well-managed, successful cleaning operations.

ISSA CIMS-Green Building
To help meet the growing demand for green and “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) certification, the Cleaning Industry Management Standard & Certification Program has been expanded to include new “Green Building” (GB) criteria and a new optional GB designation.
 

Green Cleaning for Dummies
The ISSA special edition of Green Cleaning for Dummies shows you how to implement a green cleaning program for your commercial or institutional cleaning operation. This guide is a trustworthy source of unbiased information and was written by experts with years of experience in the cleaning industry who are committed to helping companies go green.

The book explains the positive impact on human health and the environment that you create by going green. It contains special coverage based on several different types of organizations, including schools and universities, health-care facilities, and office buildings. The book also guides you in choosing the best types of green cleaning products, with chapters on green chemicals, green equipment, green paper, and other green cleaning tools and supplies.

Click here to obtain your copy today!

Green Seal Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services
Green Seal has developed an Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services (GS-42) that provides insight into implementing a green cleaning program in institutional facilities. The standard covers planning requirements; environmentally preferable requirements for products, equipment, and supplies; cleaning procedure requirements; employee training; and much more.

Illinois Guidelines and Specifications for the Green Cleaning Schools Act
In addition to setting forth green cleaning product requirements and recommendations, the Illinois Guidelines and Specifications for the Green Cleaning Schools Act provides an excellent discussion on best practices for implementing a green cleaning program. This section of the Illinois guidelines and specifications addresses vulnerable populations, entryway systems, disinfecting and sanitizing, floor and carpet care, hand washing, and other elements relevant to the process of cleaning green.

Pennsylvania Green Buildings Operations and Maintenance Manual
The Pennsylvania Green Buildings Operations and Maintenance Manual was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services and Green Seal and intended to green the operations and maintenance of state-government buildings and grounds. In addition to setting forth recommendations regarding procurement of cleaning products with a preferred environmental and safety and health profile, the manual contains a discussion of green cleaning practices including floor and carpet care, dusting and dust mopping, entryway systems, and restroom cleaning.

United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
The USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating system maximizes building operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. It is a recognized, performance-based benchmark for building owners and operators to measure operations, improvements, and maintenance on a consistent scale. LEED-EB is designed for delivering economically profitable, environmentally responsible, healthy, productive places to live and work.

A significant portion of LEED-EB relates to the implementation of a green cleaning program. ISSA has summarized the LEED-EB requirements that relate to green cleaning in a document titled “Green Cleaning and LEED for Existing Buildings: What’s the Connection?”