Illinois Green Cleaning Guidelines were developed through an open process hosted by the Green Government Coordinating Council. This process included more than 40 organizations including public health, labor, education, environment and governmental groups through a colaborative process.

Summary of the guidlines are included in the fact sheet below. For a printable version CLICK HERE.

Green Clean Schools Act – Public Act 095-0084

What is Green Cleaning?

Green Cleaning simply means cleaning to protect health without harming the environment.

What will this act do?

This act will require all elementary and secondary schools in Illinois to purchase only environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies. The Green Government Coordinating Council defined environmentally preferable in the Green Cleaning Act Guidelines and Specification.

What are the cleaning product purchase requirements under the law?

Cleaning Product Category

• Bathroom Cleaners
• Carpet Cleaners
• General Purpose Cleaners
• Glass, Window & Mirror Cleaners
• Hand Cleaners & Hand Soaps
• Paper

Certifications

• Green Seal
• Environmental Choice EcoLogo
• U.S. EPA Design for the Environment
Formulator Program
• U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Commercial and Industrial Sanitary Tissue (Paper Only)

What else is included in the Guidelines?

Schools are encouraged to adopt comprehensive green cleaning programs. The Guidelines include recommendations for preferred products that are not covered by the requirements including air fresheners, chrome cleaners, degreasers etc. The guidelines also include equipment recommendations as well as best practices.

Do I need to dump my existing products?

No, you don't need to throw away your existing inventory of supplies. This law specifically states that “a school may deplete its existing cleaning and maintenance supply stocks and implement the new requirements in the procurement cycle for the following school year.”

What about disinfectants?

The Guidelines give recommendations on environmentally preferable disinfectants but does not supersede any existing public health laws.

When is this going into effect?

Public Act 095-0084 was passed into law on August 13, 2007. After May 9th 2008, Illinois schools are required purchase only cleaning products that comply with the requirements of the green clean guidelines.

http://standingupforillinois.org/green/gs_schools.php

What if my school doesn’t comply?

While there are no specific punishments for schools that don’t comply, we believe that Green Cleaning will eventually become part of schools’ annual health life and safety inspection. More importantly, this legislation was designed to help transform a market to promote healthier and better cleaning practices which is already happening throughout Illinois.

Where can I get more information on green cleaning?

For more information on green cleaning in schools, visit the Healthy Schools Campaign at http://www.greencleanschools.org.

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