New & Emerging Technologies

Every day new technologies are being developed to improve cleaning practices by saving energy, using fewer or no chemicals, and applying ergonomic design to aid worker efficiency.

The products listed in this section are recognized for their innovation in reducing the need for chemical products, reducing waste or saving energy. Inclusion in the guide does not imply any particular endorsement of the product or certification. Additional products may be available that are not specifically listed in this guide. This information is current as of the Guide's printing in August, 2008. Further improvements on these technologies may occur in the future. Watch for updates on the www.greencleanschools.org website.

New Technologies

These new technologies can offer significant benefits as part of a comprehensive green cleaning program. As relatively new products, many have limited availability and have not yet fully permeated the marketplace. It is worth considering the benefits that these products offer and looking out for them as they become more widely available.

Abrasive Floor Pads

Abrasive floor pads may be used in lieu of harmful chemicals to strip old floor finishes for re-coating. Eliminating the use of chemicals has enormous environmental and health benefits, including the prevention of VOC exposure to building occupants and custodians. Additionally, abrasive floor pads are cheaper and faster than chemicals.

Abrasive floor pads are available through 3M.

Electrolyzing Water Technology

Equipment that converts tap water into a cleaning agent has constituted a major breakthrough in water technology. In this process, an electric current hydrolyzes the water and, in effect, separates it into two components: one that is slightly acidic (a sanitizing agent), and one that is slightly alkaline (a cleaner). Soon after use, the two components are converted back into water.

This process eliminates the health and environmental repercussions that result from the manufacturing, packaging, transportation, storage, and disposal of chemicals typically used in this application.

Electrolyzing water equipment is available through the Tennant Company.

Hand Dryer Improvements

New, more energy-efficient hand dryer designs allow faster drying, less noise, and microbe-resistant surfaces. The best new designs capture water from hands before allowing it to become airborne, a downfall of conventional hand dryers.

Energy-efficient hand dryers are available through Dyson and Veltus.

Microfiber Integrated Floor Cleaning Systems

Improved microfiber mopping systems include a cleaning product dispenser integrated into the system through the mop handle or an attached backpack. These systems reduce water and chemical use, minimize cross contamination by preventing the need to dip the mop into a dirty bucket, and use environmentally-preferable cleaning products.

Kaivac, Ecolab, and several other companies carry these types of products.

Rapidly Renewable Paper

Rapidly renewable resources are those that can be replenished in three to five years. The construction industry has long since shifted to rapidly renewable products like bamboo flooring and wheat straw cabinetry, and now the paper industry is following suit with papers produced from mixed tropical woods, acacia and eucalyptus trees.

Rapidly renewable paper products are available through Unisource.

Spray and Vac Touch Free Cleaning Systems

Spray and Vac systems are self-sufficient cleaning units that hook into an external water supply or contain their own. Utilizing a hose and extension tools to access hard-to-reach places, these ergonomically-designed systems minimize worker exposure to contaminated surfaces, reduce the use of chemicals and water, eliminate cross contamination, and use environmentally-preferable cleaning products.

Spray and Vac Touch Free Cleaning Systems are available through Kaivac and Hillyard.

Vapor Disinfecting Technology

The use of steam instead of chemical disinfectants offers a non-toxic alternative by using just tap water to clean and disinfect surfaces for various pathogens. Disinfecting equipment, including steam vapor equipment, should be manufactured by companies registered with EPA and have an EPA assigned establishment number.

Vapor Disinfecting Devices are available from Advanced Vapor Technologies, LLC.

Waterless Urinals

Waterless urinals save in sewage costs and water—up to 40,000 gallons annually. The units prevent odor with vapor barriers and reduce maintenance and repairs.

Waterless urinals are available through Ecotech Water, Zero Flush, Waterless Co., Kohler and Sloan Valve.

Energy and Chemical Monitoring Equipment

Monitoring systems that evaluate energy and chemical usage in ware washing machines are available. This monitoring equipment may be provided by the company that provides the ware washing machine. The data that the equipment provides can be included in an overall effort to improve procedures, maximize energy efficiency and minimize chemical use.

Energy and Chemical monitoring equipment is available from Ecolab.

2. Emerging Technologies

Though we are still waiting to see their long-term impacts, benefits and costs, these promising new technologies could greatly benefit schools and the environment.

Bacterial Resistant Surfaces

Antimicrobial silver additives incorporated into surfaces on high touch points such as push pads and bubblers of drinking fountains can inhibit growth of bacteria, fungus and mildew. Note that the surfaces still need to be cleaned regularly to be effective.

Oasis is a company that offers drinking fountains with this feature.

Silver-ion Technology Disinfectants

Silver-ion disinfectants are non-hazardous chemical-free cleaning agents with 24-hour residual protection.

Silver-ion technology disinfectants are available through PureGreen24.

Soy Composite for Waterless Urinals

Waterless urinal technology takes a step further with surfaces composed of 30% soybean resin, a more environmentally-sound material that looks no different than conventional urinals.

Soy composite waterless urinals are available through Waterless Company.

3. Certifications

In addition to new products constantly coming on the marketplace, there are frequently new green certification programs emerging to fill a market need. While the certification(s) listed below offer value to a consumer making a product decision, we will take time to evaluate these certifications and whether they become part of our guiding recommendations.

GREENGUARD Certification: GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) oversees the GREENGUARD certification, which has been awarded to more than 165,000 building products and materials, including cleaning products and systems. Unlike Green Seal and EcoLogo, GREENGUARD certification focuses solely on chemical emissions from products, which can be potentially harmful to the immature respiratory systems of children. Under this program, products are routinely and rigorously tested for chemical risks. When the primary concern is minimizing the amount of harmful chemicals that children might inhale, seek out products and systems that have been GREENGUARD certified. For more information, go to www.greenguard.org.