Boston University
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing

The Sustainable Cleaning Program for this building incorporates sustainable cleaning products and materials that are certified sustainable cleaning products – 100% of them. Building environments have a significant impact on human and environmental health, learning outcomes, productivity and overall sustainability. Based on extensive industry research focused on building maintenance and operations, technology, and cleaning science, Boston University has identified the best tools, products, and practices for maintaining sustainable buildings that protect human health and the environment. This policy adheres to the LEED v3 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance standard. The University began its sustainable cleaning program in the 1990’s to address concerns for personal safety and the desire to increase inefficiencies. A major step was the installation of cleaning command centers to control chemical use, minimize packaging waste, reduce the University’s carbon footprint, and lower the chances of chemical related injuries. The program has developed over the years by following best business practices to protect the campus community, reduce waste, and meet the cleanliness goals of the University. Concentrated ongoing efforts have resulted in better means and methods resulting in a more efficient custodial operation. The origins of the sustainable cleaning program at Boston University were based on the collective concerns of Facilities Management & Planning, faculty, staff, and students, combined with information from vendors as technology in the industry changed. The campus wide program gained momentum when President Brown launched the University’s sustainability program in September 2008. In 2006 the University conducted its first waste audit and determined its recycling rate was 3%. In 2011 the University’s recycling rate increased to 31%, but more importantly its total waste reduced by 10% from its 2006 levels. The following sustainable cleaning procedures contributed to this waste reduction: • Greater than 60% source reduction from folded to rolled paper • Greater than 54% source reduction from small toilet paper rolls to large coreless rolls • Greater than 30% source reduction from efforts to right size its waste liners • Preventative maintenance program to extend lifecycle of equipment by over 20% • Cradle-to-cradle approach used for cleaning equipment where suppliers take back equipment at the end of its useful life to the University. • Greater than 70% chemical and packaging source reduction though concentrated chemical command centers.

All products used by Boston University are super concentrated and dispensed from 600 Dilution Controlled Dispensing units located throughout campus. Custodial Services is centrally managed on each campus ensuring the University’s Green Cleaning Procedures are followed.

Boston University has exemplary Green Cleaning Procedures in place using Green Seal and EcoLogo certified cleaning products. 95% of all cleaning and janitorial products used by the University are Green Certified Cleaning products and in the next few years, the Custodial Department envisions this number to reach 100%. All LEED buildings have a 100% performance metric.