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Choosing Green Cleaning ProductsThis section provides general criteria for green cleaning products and lists some categories that can be used in schools. To learn more about relevant standards for green cleaning products, see Green Standards. To identify products that meet these criteria, see Featured Green Products. General CriteriaGreen products and services are generally defined as “…products and services that reduce the health and environmental impacts compared to similar products and services used for the same purpose.”* Green cleaning products typically have one or more of the following characteristics (Click on any of the items listed below to read more):
Put simply, it is much simpler, better, and less expensive to prevent a problem than to try to repair it after the fact. In the field of cleaning this can mean it is better to use products that are not going to pollute the air (high VOC solvents, aerosols, etc.) and cause respiratory problems than it is to try to clean the air up later and or to treat respiratory or other chronic illnesses. A Green Cleaning program can help not only to reduce the impacts on health and the environment but, over time may reduce costs to the community as well. We are finally coming to the realization that we as a society can use up our natural resources faster than they can be replaced. Examples include cutting down forests to make toilet paper from virgin pulp faster than trees can be re-grown, or using petroleum (a non-renewable resource) to make trash can liners with no recycled content. Sustainability means that we choose to use practices today that do not hurt future generations’ ability to have the same things. These issues are complex and we shouldn’t use just one attribute to make a “green” claim for a particular product. For instance it should not be enough to call a product green simply because it can be recycled or is biodegradable. We need to know more – where the raw materials came from, if it is hazardous to use or dispose of, and so on. We need to use care that we don’t reduce impacts in one area while increasing impacts in another. Thus, we need to consider many product attributes – not just one or two. *Source: Presidential Executive Order 13101. See www.ofee.gov for more information. “Green” and the Product LifecycleThe comparative reduction in health and environmental impacts can take place not only when the product is used but anywhere throughout its lifecycle. Click on the items below to read more:
Drilling for the oil that is used as a basic component for most chemicals and plastics and logging of trees to create the pulp that becomes janitorial paper are common environmental impacts. Even “natural” products made from agricultural sources such as oranges and soybeans have an impact on the very “farming” operations used to grow them. Transportation affects the environment at several points
in the product’s lifecycle. It may be the oil tanker
bringing crude oil to the refinery from the drilling fields,
shipping a truckload of chemicals from the manufacturer
to the distributor, or distributor to end-user. (Consider
the differences between shipping concentrates versus all
the added water and packaging materials in
Environmental impacts vary by type of product produced or raw material used. An example would be using chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in the production of paper, which releases one of the most hazardous manmade compounds in existence: dioxin. Spills, potentially deadly combinations of mixed products in a spill (e.g. ammonia combined with chlorine bleach creates a deadly gas) or potential flammability issues can arise during storage of cleaning products. This is the phase we are most often concerned with or
aware of. We worry about potential injuries to the users
of these products (eye and skin burns, ingestion, or inhalation,
among others), high
Some products can harm the environment when they are
disposed. A common example is zinc – used in floor
finishes – a metal that acts as a neuro-toxin, harming
the development of the brain and nervous system. Nonylphenol
ethoxylates, surfactants found in many detergents, are
thought to be
To identify specific products that meet these criteria, see Featured Green Products. Seek Green CertificationsThe majority of cleaning products used in a school fall into categories that are part of the Green Seal, EcoLogoM certification programs, or the EPA Design for the Environment partnership program. These categories of cleaning products include: general purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, bathroom cleaners, carpet and floor cleaners. With improvement in product formulas and expansion of the certification programs the product categories and number of products are constantly growing. Choosing certified products that meet Green Standards in the following categories are a good way to reduce toxins and make an immediate positive impact reducing risks to health and the environment in schools. For most cleaning products, the easiest way to green your purchases is to rely on third party certification program. Choosing certified products that meet Green Standards in the following categories are a good way to reduce toxins and make an immediate positive impact on the health of the school environment. PackagingWhen selecting any purchase always consider the amount of and types of packaging material. Packaging is usually 100% waste and can only add cost to your purchase - so here are some tips when selecting based on packaging:
Green Seal’s GS-37 requires that packaging either be recyclable, or in a refillable container, with exceptions for pouches and bags. EcologoM products must not be packaged in chlorinated plastics and manufacturers must ensure the recycled post consumer content of packaging. Avoiding HazardsFor cleaning product categories that are not covered by certification programs, there are multiple environmental and health attributes to be considered. There are many products that either don't have third-party certifications available for them, or they are in a product category that is emerging. However, in these cases, you can look to the product attributes and choose to make educated choices that are healthier for your students and the environment. Always look for processes that eliminate entire steps such as longer lasting floor care systems that reduce the need to strip and finish floors. New developments in technology have lead to cleaning equipment that converts water to a cleaning agent without the need for additional chemicals. See New Technology to learn more. For products not covered by the standards you can always make a greener choice by purchasing concentrated formulas with minimal packaging instead of Ready to Use (RTU). When considering multiple attributes, concentrated versions of these alternative products have clear advantages over their RTU counterparts. Offering a reduction in packaging materials, transportation impacts, and disposal impacts, they are generally the better alternative. However, it is important to use some type of portion control to avoid exposure to the concentrated chemical and to avoid waste or damage to materials. Furthermore, concentrates can save money! Your choice of dispensing equipment, pre-measured packets, sachets, etc. should be guided by the specific situations in your school. You will find every manufacturer of Green Cleaning Products offering at least one type of dispensing option. It is also very important for products to be used as directed by the manufacturer. To identify specific products that meet these criteria, see Featured Green Products. Click on any of the items listed below to read more about choosing green products.
CFC propellants have been banned for some time. Most aerosols
now use propane or butane (cigarette lighter fluid) as the
propellant. These are potentially harmful to the custodian
using the product (inhalation issues) and may be extremely
flammable. Look for dispensers with a simple trigger sprayer
or from a “flip-top” dispenser like typical
toilet bowl cleaners or cream furniture polish. Zinc is the most common metal used for “cross-linking”
polymers in traditional floor finishes. This heavy metal
enters the environment when floors are stripped and the
waste is put down the drain. Zinc can cause neurological
damage and adds strain to municipal waste water treatment
systems. Specifying non-zinc finishes is a recommended approach.
This has an added benefit as the strippers used to remove
finishes with heavy metals are typically high
Floor care should be considered as a system. The floor finish needs to match the stripper as well as the suggested cleaner and maintainer if one is recommended. Significant enviornmental and health benefitrs can be achieved by implementing a floor-care program that reduces the frequesncy of burnishing, recoating, stripping and refinishing. Imagine not only the enviornmental and health benefits but also the cost savings in products and labor if stripping and recoating can be reduced from two times a year to annually or better yetm once every two to three years. These products are respiratory irritants (which means they can irritate peoples’ lungs and may trigger asthma attacks). Chlorine based cleaners are corrosive – with potential to burn eyes and skin, and can permanently damage carpets and clothing. Mixed together, these two chemicals create a deadly gas. Hydrogen peroxide based products can be excellent alternatives to chlorine bleaches and even some sanitizers and disinfectants. Germ control is important in the school environment, but all micro-organisms are not “bad.” Good physical cleaning of surfaces is often enough. The use of harsh chemicals such as chlorine, phenols and quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) can irritate eyes, skin and respiratory systems, damage finishes, carpets and clothing and even produce poisonous gases when improperly handled. In addition, the overuse of disinfectants may produce resistant bacteria that can further harm health and the environment. These products commonly include a wide variety of ingredients that can be harmful to human health and the environment. Ranging from solvents and ammonia to benzene (a proven carcinogen) they are almost all derived from petroleum. Petroleum is an increasingly scarce, non-renewable resource. These products can be replaced with plant-based, low odor, and naturally derived alternatives. Interestingly, on a day to day basis, there are more complaints from building occupants resulting from the use of these products than from anything else. These products are frequently used to open clogged drains
and grease traps in restrooms and kitchen areas. Drain openers
are typically highly acidic or highly alkaline products
at the extreme ends of the
Graffiti Remover used to be formulated with chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride) before they were banned due to their environmental impact. Many graffiti removers are packaged in aerosol contains which often contain hydrocarbon propellants (e.g., propane, butane), which are highly flammable and can contribute to indoor air quality problems. Gum Removers used to be formulated with chlorinated solvents (e.g., freon) before they were banned due to their environmental impact. Dry ice and carbon dioxide are preferable replacements. Degreasers can be used in some situations (see section on General Degreasers). Lime & Scale Removers are acids because of the need to remove mineral deposits from sinks, bowls and urinals. Floor care should be considered as a system. The floor finish needs to match the stripper as well as the suggested cleaner and maintainer - if one is recommended. Significant environmental and health benefits can be achieved by implementing a floor-care program that reduces the frequency of burnishing, recoating, stripping and refinishing. Imagine not only the environmental and health benefits but also the cost savings in products and labor If stripping and recoating can be reduced from two times a year to annually or better yet once every two to three years. Environmentally preferable grout cleaners may be enzyme based or based on peroxide. Avoid using bleach when possible. See Choosing Green Equipment to learn about spray and vac and vapor equipment that are effective for cleaning grout. Infection ControlOutbreaks of infectious diseases in schools often ignite a rush to purchase products aimed at creating a totally germ free school. It is important to remember green cleaning practices designed to protect health without harming the environment combined with good hygiene practices remain the most effective — and least dangerous — way to prevent both the spread of infectious disease and toxic exposures from harmful chemicals. In some cases such as with blood borne pathogens or other bodily fluids, federal, state, and/or local regulations have specific cleaning and disinfecting requirements. Disinfectants sold in the United States are considered to be pesticides and must be registered by the US Environmental Protection (US EPA) under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Disinfectants all carry some toxicity since by definition they are designed to kill bacteria. EPA does not allow disinfectants to be third party certified by organizations like Green Seal, or Environmental Choice so there are a number of other attributes to consider when selecting a “Green” disinfectant.” Choose less-toxic disinfectants
When purchasing disinfectants keep in mind that concentrates will frequently be more toxic than their Ready-to-Use counterparts, but the concentrates have the environmental benefit of less packaging and therefore less energy associated with transportation. The risk of worker exposure to concentrates can be minimized with closed system dilution controls. Other considerations when you are purchasing disenfectants include:
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2006-2008, Healthy Schools Campaign 175 N. Franklin, Suite 300 | Chicago, IL 60606 | T: 800.HSC.1810 | F: 312.419.1806 |
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ready-to-use
(RTU)