Adopt a Green Cleaning Policy

A Green Cleaning Policy expresses the administration’s support for Green Cleaning and formalizes the commitment of time and resources for implementing the Green Cleaning Plan. It also will ensure that all school stakeholders understand their role in the Green Cleaning program and live up to their responsibilities for carrying it out.

Policy Content and Structure

A Green Cleaning Policy should state the administration’s intent to implement the Green Cleaning Plan developed by the Green Team. It should provide brief guidance on what specifically is expected – e.g. incorporation of existing cleaning services into a Green Cleaning program and the education and involvement of staff, students, custodians, service providers, parent groups, and other organizations that use or impact the school. Some key points that a policy might include are:

The reason the policy is being implemented,
Defining the key terms – e.g. Green and Green Cleaning,
Explaining the role of the Green Team – key goals and responsibilities,
Key expectations – e.g. reporting spills, keeping personal space free of clutter, etc.,
Inappropriate activities – e.g. bringing cleaning supplies from home,
Purchase decision guidelines – e.g. using approved products and vendors,
Education and communication – e.g. to whom will the policy be communicated
Record keeping – e.g. how will you track progress.

Building Support

By creating the Green Team, you have already started the process of building support for the policy among key school stakeholders. It may now be necessary to cast a wider net to reach groups who weren’t involved in the planning but whose support will be important for adoption of the policy and implementation of the plan. Some of these might include student representatives, PTAs, custodial and teacher’s unions, bus drivers, HVAC contractors, elevator service companies, and other repair personnel. Don’t forget to include the Health, Life, and Safety Committee or other existing related groups if they haven’t been involved in planning to date.

Getting Approval

Find out your district’s procedure for getting a policy adopted. It may involve providing a written rationale and support materials. A public hearing or presentation might also be required. For a public hearing, choose an influential spokesperson to make a persuasive case and encourage supporters to attend to show their support. Once the policy is adopted, it should be publicized through all the district’s communications channels. This is an opportunity to celebrate what your team has accomplished and energize those who will implement the policy!

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