Physical Place:
Indoor Environmental Quality
START Metric #39:
Green Cleaning
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Ideas & Resources
Adopting green cleaning products and practices is a simple yet impactful way for schools to protect environmental and human health. This metric emphasizes the use of certified eco-friendly products, such as those with Green Seal or EcoLogo certifications, and the implementation of cleaning practices that reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Green cleaning helps minimize indoor air pollution, reduce water contamination, and promote safer environments for students and staff.
According to the EPA, indoor air pollution levels can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels, partly due to the chemicals found in conventional cleaning products (EPA). By transitioning to green cleaning, schools can safeguard the health of their community, reduce their environmental footprint, and set an example of sustainable leadership.
Strategies for Adopting Green Cleaning Practices
NOTE: This is not a prescriptive list; it just offers ideas to inspire action and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of each school.
Switch to Certified Green Cleaning Products
Use cleaning products certified by organizations like Green Seal, EcoLogo, or EPA Safer Choice to ensure they meet environmental and health standards.
Replace harsh chemicals with non-toxic alternatives for everyday cleaning tasks.
Implement a Green Cleaning Policy
Develop a formal policy outlining the use of green cleaning products and practices.
Include guidelines for procurement, storage, and safe handling of products.
Train Custodial Staff
Provide training on green cleaning techniques, including proper product usage and application methods.
Educate staff on the environmental and health benefits of using green cleaning products.
Use Microfiber Cleaning Tools
Replace traditional mops and cloths with microfiber alternatives, which require less water and fewer cleaning chemicals.
Regularly clean and maintain microfiber tools to ensure their effectiveness.
Improve Ventilation During Cleaning
Ensure adequate ventilation in areas being cleaned to minimize chemical exposure and improve indoor air quality.
Schedule cleaning activities during off-hours to reduce student and staff exposure.
Adopt Water-Efficient Practices
Use water-efficient cleaning methods, such as spray bottles instead of buckets, to reduce water waste.
Opt for waterless cleaning technologies where appropriate, such as dry steam cleaning.
Regularly Review Cleaning Practices
Conduct periodic audits of cleaning products and practices to ensure continued alignment with green cleaning goals.
Evaluate and update cleaning protocols based on feedback and new advancements in green cleaning technology.
Label and Store Products Safely
Clearly label all cleaning products and store them in designated, secure locations.
Avoid storing incompatible substances together to prevent harmful reactions.
Engage the School Community
Educate students and staff about the benefits of green cleaning and their role in maintaining a healthy school environment.
Encourage feedback on areas where green cleaning practices can be improved.
Monitor and Share Progress
Track reductions in chemical use and improvements in indoor air quality after adopting green cleaning practices.
Share successes with the school community to build awareness and support for ongoing initiatives.
Work with Vendors
Partner with cleaning product suppliers who specialize in eco-friendly and certified green products.
Request product demonstrations and certifications before making purchasing decisions.
Integrate Green Cleaning into Curriculum
Use green cleaning initiatives as an opportunity to teach students about environmental stewardship and health.
Incorporate lessons on the science behind green cleaning and its impact on sustainability.
‘How To’ Guides
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How to Implement a Green Cleaning Program
Guidance from the New York Office of General Services (OGS), that can help any school lay the groundwork, assess, plan, implement and evaluate their green cleaning program.
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Green Cleaning for Early Care and Education
Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting: A Curriculum for Early Care and Education, developed by the University of California and others, explains the most effective and safest ways of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting in ECE.
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How to Transition 10% to Green Cleaning
A GSA Guide to help you achieve Tier 1 of the Green Cleaning Metric in START, through planning, implementation and evaluation and additional resources.
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Healthy, Green Purchasing for Asthma Prevention
From the US Center for Green Schools, a guide to help schools & districts introduce and implement health-informed purchasing practices into school policy.
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Green Seal Directory
Green Seal certification ensures that a product or service meets the rigorous performance, health, and environmental criteria in Green Seal’s environmental leadership standards.
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International: GEN - Global Eco-labeling Network
The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a leading network of credible and robust ecolabels.
Additional Resources
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Customizable templates, audit forms & spreadsheets
From New York OGS, free resources for assessing buildings, conducting custodial inspections, inventorying cleaning products, surveying housekeeping satisfaction, and a sample of a building entryway policy.
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Schools hold the key to a healthy, sustainable and regenerative future.
They are role-models and incubators that that nurture, educate and prepare each generation for adult life.
Schools have a unique opportunity and profound responsibility to become part the transition to a sustainable, regenerative future in which people and planet can thrive.
But how do we get there?
START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool was created by schools, for schools, to help them develop comprehensive programs for step-by-step progress towards sustainability, regenerative practice, and student empowerment.
START provides a Roadmap for School Sustainability:
It breaks down school sustainability into clear actions (‘metrics’), such as Minimizing Waste, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and supporting Sustainable Transportation options.
However, research shows it’s not enough for a school to simply reduce its environmental impact.
Students and staff also need to learn about sustainability, and practice it in day-to-day activities, because this impacts their attitudes and behaviors when they leave school. That’s why START includes metrics like Sustainability Events for Students, Sustainability Course Content, and Sustainable Purchasing Practices.
How sustainable is our school now?
Schools use START to measure how sustainable they are now. A school’s START team investigates how their school currently operates to find their ‘sustainability baseline’ for each metric. For example, is our school a beginner, intermediate or advanced in sustainable water use? START enables schools to benchmark, track and visualize their current sustainability levels, as well as hard data around their waste, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Where should we go next, and do we collaborate for success?
What do we need to do to ‘level up’ in each metric? Once schools have their baselines, START helps them to set goals and plan for progress. START provides a central hub for school members to collaborate, document, and plan their school’s sustainability journey.
START is a subscription-based Whole School Sustainability dashboard.
It requires at least one adult school member to create a school’s START account, but it will need a team (students, teachers and staff) to grow a Whole School Sustainability program.
Interested schools can sign up for a demo or apply to set up an account.
Learn more about START here, and consider sharing the brochure with your school.
Let’s create a better future, one school at a time.
Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if you have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.