Colorado College
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing

Colorado College adapted its full green cleaning program in 2007. The ES Department purchases and uses approved Green Seal certified cleaners and uses microfiber mops and cloths for cleaning. All core products purchased for cleaning are Green Seal certified and bio-based. The core cleaners consist of a floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and glass cleaner. Disinfectants are EPA certified instead of Green Seal.

Training: At the core of our green cleaning program is training. All custodians are fully trained on green cleaning techniques using hands-on training in a small group setting. Vendors are often used as they provide subject matter expertise and 3rd party experiences. Quantitative Performance Measurement and Quality Assurance: Service quality is regularly monitored to ensure the clean and pleasant environment of all campus buildings. Buildings are regularly evaluated by management using several different means including the use of handheld devices running cleaning management software. Management also monitors the type and amount of products being used periodically throughout the year. This year, CC achieved the ISSA CIMS-GB certification. This certification is a Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Buildings. The certification sets forth a specific framework to ensure that an organization uses environmentally preferable cleaning practices in addition to the management best practices identified in the five core sections of the Standard.

Colorado College is ISSA CIMS-GB certified. This certification mandates the use of environmentally preferable materials in addition to best management practices outlined by ISSA. The qualifications for certification are: a green cleaning policy, a green/high performance cleaning program, a custodial effectiveness assessment, disclosing the purchase of cleaning products, materials and equipment, indoor chemical pollutant source control, integrated pest management, a building exterior and hardscape management plan, solid waste management (recycling), and resource conservation. Much to the credit of Sodexo, the College’s main cleaning contractor, CC has gained national recognition as a leader in sustainable cleaning practices and was named one of two colleges honored by American School & University magazine, the Green Cleaning Network, and the Healthy Schools Campaign for the 2008 Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities. Since contracting with Sodexo, CC has cut the number of cleaning products it uses in half. The 2008 Green Cleaning Award recognized Sodexo for piloting environmentally preferable chemicals and installing chemical-dispensing systems that reduce waste and prevent the “more is better” pitfall. By switching to microfiber cloths and mops, Sodexo reduced custodial-cleaning water use by about 247,000 gallons per year in residential and academic areas. Furthermore, Sodexo technicians have introduced technology that uses water instead of harsh chemicals to wash floors, improving student and employee health by reducing toxic chemical use. Additionally, by switching to dual filtration units instead of using vacuums, Sodexo has increased indoor air quality.

Section 6.4 references certified green products.

Information for ISSA CIMS- GB available at: http://www.issa.com/data/moxiestorage/certifications_standards/cims/cims-gb.pdf