Dalhousie University
OP-13: Cleaning and Janitorial Purchasing

The blue cleaning progress involves the implementation of innovative and sustainable technologies across Dalhousie University's campus. Approximately 10 years ago, the use of ozonated water, specifically lotus water, was initiated in residence custodial services. Lotus water, like ozonated water but with an added electric charge, aids in cleaning and disinfecting by releasing oxygen as it breaks down. This technology, devoid of added chemicals, has been expanded across the entire campus, excluding smaller buildings, over the past 3-4 years. 

During the COVID era, Dalhousie successfully rolled out the lotus water technology campus-wide, ordering cartridges for the lotus machine, which are replaced every few days. Notably, this eco-friendly approach has not triggered environmental illness or allergies due to the absence of chemicals in the cleaning process. The cartridges used in the lotus water machines are collected and sent back to the manufacturer for recycling and reuse. An efficacy test conducted during the COVID era demonstrated that the lotus water technology is as effective, if not more so, than traditional disinfectants. 

In terms of sustainability, the university is making efforts to reduce its reliance on traditional brown paper rolls (GP paper) sourced from the U.S. Instead, they are transitioning to a more sustainable white paper sourced locally in Canada, thereby minimizing transportation distances. 

Additionally, the introduction of autonomous robot scrubbers represents a significant step in modernizing cleaning practices. These scrubbers, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, autonomously clean and recycle water during the process. The robots, currently operational in Sexton and the Tupper buildings, provide detailed reports on their cleaning effectiveness, water recycling metrics, and areas covered. Importantly, this technological advancement is not intended to replace human jobs. There is also consideration for introducing a vacuum version of these scrubbers for the Law Library.