Green Cleaning

Why Go Green?

General Health

• Improve indoor air quality by lowering VOC's (volatile organic compounds)
• Reduce incidence of illness due to chemical allergens and dust
• Reduce exposure to toxic chemicals
• Reduce employee or student absenteeism

Safety

• Reduce products that require PPE (personal protective equipment)
• Improve safety training programs
• Dilution Controls Systems reduce exposure to concentrated chemical

Cleaning Efficiency

• Reduce frequency of labor-intensive tasks (stripping floors, refinishing floors)
• Implementation of cleaning processes and systems
• Reduction of dirt entering building by using walk-off matting

Financial

• Reduction of chemical and water consumption through the use of dilution control and microfiber.
• Reduction of worker's comp claims and injuries
• Reduction of absenteeism
• Promotion of better inventory management of chemicals and equipment

Legal

• New York State Green Cleaning Law (Chapter 584 of the Laws of 2005)
• Schools are required to procure and use environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products

Community

• Provides a sense of community amongst staff, and facility stakeholders as well as recognition of the efforts of the custodial staff

*information cited from NYS OGS Green Cleaning site, https://greencleaning.ny.gov/Benefits.asp